O.U.R Curriculum Environments

Classroom environments both support and enrich the learning of all children. As well as being vibrant and welcoming, the classroom environment is a learning resource, the second teacher, a way of engaging children and building the class community. It can create a sense of ownership and be used to support and promote learning, as well as celebrating children’s work. With careful thought and planning, an effective classroom environment is used as an interactive resource supporting teaching, learning and assessment.

At Olveston CEVC Primary School we believe that a well organised and stimulating environment has a direct impact on the quality of teaching and learning, and therefore supports raising standards. It enables pupils to develop independence as learners, building on good Foundation Stage practice.

We provide consistent expectations for all pupils in order to support them, whilst challenging them to give their very best. In this way, we develop a shared sense of what high standards look like. Above all else, our children are taught the purpose of their learning and they work towards applying their knowledge and skills to an intended outcome, such as a piece of published writing, artwork, performance etc. We are proud of the children’s work and we are actively building a culture of high-quality displays throughout the school.

The topic walls in classrooms reflect the class learning journey through a series of questions that have been carefully selected to ensure learning builds on previous knowledge. The boards also display examples of the children’s work and the key subject specific vocabulary. The vocabulary is there not only for the children to reference but more importantly to ensure that adults working with the children use it in discussions/conversations with the children. At the end of a topic, the classroom display is transferred into a communal area to showcase previous learning as the class moves onto their next topic.

At Olveston CEVC Primary School we value our outdoor space as a second classroom – the benefits of outdoor learning have been highlighted extensively and here at Olveston CEVC Primary school we have wonderful grounds which provide a wealth of outdoor learning experiences. Teaching children outdoors allows children to be creative, imaginative and caring of their school. Outdoor learning also plants problem-solving skills and inquiry learning in children. We have an ever developing Forest School area which homes a conservation area. Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, which offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. All year groups have Forest School sessions throughout the year either to build on Forest School skills or to support and enhance aspects of the wider curriculum i.e. to explore skills that Stone Age man would have used (Year 4). As the Norwegians say, ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes’ – we endeavour to go outside as much as we can!