What will my child learn at school?

Our class structure at Cirencester Primary School: 

• Nursery – Two classes – Buds and Blossoms
• Reception – One single age class – RA
• Year 1/2 – Three mixed classes combining pupils from Year 1 and Year 2 – 1/2A, 1/2B, 1/2C
• Year 3/4 – Three mixed classes combining pupils from Year 3 and Year 4 – 3/4A, 3/4B, 3/4C
• Year 5/6 – Three mixed classes combining pupils from Year 5 and Year 6 – 5/6A, 5/6B, 5/6C

Mixed age group classes work especially well, as younger children are exposed to higher expectations, whilst working in their own national curriculum age group. Older children often act as role models and mentors, while younger children benefit from observing and learning alongside more experienced peers. This helps develop confidence, empathy, and teamwork. Children tell us they like mixed age classes as there are more friends to choose from, they often get to work in smaller groups than the whole class, and they benefit from learning from the older children and supporting their younger peers.

Curriculum

All of our curriculum coverage stems from the National Curriculum, which is arranged into Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) and Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6). Our school curriculum for these year group pairings therefore aligns exactly with this curriculum.

• Foundation subjects – We have carefully designed our foundation curriculum on a two-year rolling programme to ensure that pupils do not repeat topics or lessons. Where key learning themes are revisited each year, teachers plan to ensure learning progresses from the previous year. Please see curriculum documents below. 
• English – Pupils continue to be taught in ability groups for phonics until they complete the RWI phonics scheme (this is usually by the end of Year 2). Class texts are carefully selected to ensure they suit and challenge both year groups in the class. In writing, pupils are taught grammar and punctuation features specific to their year groups and teachers ensure that their modelling in writing lessons includes features from both year groups, meeting the needs of all pupils.
• Maths – We are fortunate to have Mr Frost, our resident specialist maths teacher, who teaches different age groups for maths, enabling all year groups to be taught as single age groups (e.g. separate Year 1 and Year 2 groups for maths). Groups are therefore smaller, which is a real benefit to all pupils.
• Assessment – Each child is assessed according to their year group standards. Regular monitoring ensures that every child is progressing and receiving the support or challenge they need.
• Key transitions – We are aware that the key school transitions are between key stages, and we take this into account when planning our curriculum. We ensure that there are elements of child-initiated provision in the autumn term to support our pupils moving from reception into Year 1, additional consideration and support for our pupils moving from Year 2 into the first year of Key Stage 2 and timetable/grouping considerations for our Year 6 pupils in preparation for the end of Key Stage 2 exams in May.