Welcome to our
Foundation Subjects Page
History, Geography, Art, Design Technology and Science
At Runwell Community these subjects are taught through topic based approach built around the Cornerstones Curriculum.
The Cornerstones Curriculum is a creative and topic approach to learning that is mapped to the National Curriculum to ensure comprehensive coverage of national expectations. Our curriculum will be delivered through knowledge rich projects which will provide a rich menu of exciting and motivating learning activities that make creative links between all aspects of our children’s learning.
We believe children learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts. Our curriculum will provide lots of learning challenges throughout the academic year that will require children to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively across the curriculum.
French
At Runwell we teach French as our modern foreign language.
Our intention is to integrate language learning into everyday school life, with teachers, teaching assistants and children using and experimenting with their knowledge of different languages whenever the opportunity arises. We foster a problem-solving approach, giving children opportunities to work out language use for themselves in a supportive context where risk-taking and creativity are encouraged, and there is an emphasis on having fun with the new language.
Computing
At Runwell Community Primary School, the Computing curriculum is all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote learning, and personal growth and development in relation to computing across the curriculum. As a school, we have chosen the Purple Mash Computing Scheme of Work from EYFS to Year 6. The scheme of work supports our teachers in delivering fun and engaging lessons which help to raise standards and allow all pupils to achieve to their full potential. We are confident that the scheme of work more than adequately meets the national vision for Computing, and provides immense flexibility and strong cross-curricular links. Furthermore, it gives excellent supporting material for less confident teachers.
Religious Education
Our RE curriculum is planned to promote learning and personal growth and development in relation to Religious Education. It includes the formal requirements of the Essex agreed syllabus 2022 ‘Understanding religion and worldviews for a life in a changing world’
Parents and carers can withdraw their children from any or all RE lessons, if they wish to do so, they should put this request in writing to admin@runwell.essex.sch.uk
Physical Education
At Runwell Community Primary School we aim to ensure that the physical education curriculum inspires all children to participate and show resilience in learning new skills and enhancing previously learnt ones. It should be accessible for all children and provide them with the opportunity to experience success, regardless of their perceived ability. PE should help children to develop an understanding of their body and the way it works. Teachers strive to help their pupils become confident in physical activity and to understand the impact it can have on their overall health and well-being. Making the connection between physical health and mental health.
Personal, Social and Health Education
At Runwell Primary School, we teach Personal, Social, Health Education as a whole-school approach to underpin children’s development as people and because we believe that this also supports their learning capacity.
Pupil’s wellbeing is central to their learning success. If pupils are happy, healthy and feel safe they thrive with their learning.  Mindfulness activities help children to focus on the present moment and work skilfully with their thoughts and emotions. By training the mind and encouraging pupils to take control and believe in themselves, positive learning behaviours can be adopted, like a growth mindset. Such activities are taught through our scheme of work.
Growth mindset is promoted throughout the curriculum, encouraging pupils to take risks with their learning – attempt challenges and try different approaches. By encouraging pupils to believe in themselves and see learning as a journey they are more resilient, aspire for the long term and identify what they can’t do as can’t do yet! Our Jigsaw Scheme of work pieces together the progressive skills to support children of their learning journey.
Music
At Runwell Community Primary School, we aim for all children to gain a firm understanding of what music is through listening, singing, playing, evaluating, analysing and composing across a wide variety of historical periods, styles, traditions, and musical genres.
We intend for all the children to be able to understand the value and importance of music in their lives and that they are able to use their musical skills, knowledge and experiences to involve themselves in music in a variety of different contexts.
