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All pupils in Upper Primary access our 3 curriculum strands (Academic, Aspirations for Adulthood and Therapeutic) at a level appropriate to them. Pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum which follows a 4 year rolling programme of termly broad themes, allowing access to a range of curriculum content and coverage. The curriculum content is taken from the National Curriculum, Sea View Trust skills document and the PCA progression documents which cater for pupils at all academic levels.

The Upper Primary curriculum is spiral in nature to allow pupils to revisit prior learning and then build on and deepen their learning. A focus on key skills across the curriculum also ensures that pupils don’t just know more, but can also do more and can use their skills across a wide range of situations. Timetabled subjects include Maths, English (including separate reading and phonics lessons), Science (including separate STEM lessons), PHSRE, Computing, History, Geography, RE, PE, Art, DT, Music, MFL, Drama, Arts Award and Forest School.

Lessons are differentiated to meet the needs of the pupils as and where necessary, whilst still being challenging in order to stretch our students to achieve their full potential, supporting all pupils to become successful learners, responsible citizens and resilient individuals. Marking, homework and assessment follow the school’s policies and are reviewed annually.

Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) and cultural capital

Preparation for Adulthood is at the heart of everything we do in the Upper Primary department with pupils encouraged and supported to be as independent as possible. Pupils’ own aspirations for adulthood, as identified at annual review meetings, are broken down into small achievable steps whether that be taking care of basic personal hygiene needs, gathering the equipment needed for a lesson or developing an understanding of how to keep safe in the wider community.

Year 6 pupils are provided with the opportunity to attend a one night residential to the Lake District. This one-night outdoor learning residential allows our pupils to access water and camp fire activities, orienteering, stay in a lodge with their friends, making their bed, preparing simple food and drinks, self-care and following instructions, rules and routines. This is the first residential opportunity of many at PCA designed to support our pupils to become successful learners, responsible citizens and resilient individuals.

Upper Primary pupils also experience a whole host of cultural capital within taught lessons across the curriculum such as taking local visits to places such as, Stanley Park, as well as visitors into school such as, M & M productions. We have an established partnership with Primary Futures which connects us with a diverse range of workplace volunteers who talk with pupils about their jobs, challenging stereotypes and providing real life role models for pupils.

Transition

Pupils joining us from the Lower Primary department take part in transition sessions including unstructured times of the day such as, break and lunchtimes, to build their confidence before moving into the Upper Primary department. We also provide transition booklets for all pupils each year to support their transition from one class to the next, alongside social stories for those who require additional support with the change. Before transitioning into the secondary department, Year 6 pupils attend transition days at the end of the summer term.

Inclusion

We have close links with a number of local mainstream schools including Revoe Learning Academy and Devonshire Primary Academy. Upper Primary pupils have access to inclusion links if they are showing a particular talent or interest in a certain curriculum area. As well as proving to be beneficial academically, pupils may access additional resources unavailable at PCA, and inclusion also gives our pupils the opportunity to socialise with mainstream peers.