top of page

Curriculum

Together Everyone Achieves More

We believe every child deserves a curriculum that nurtures curiosity, encourages individuality, and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Rooted in the Curriculum for Wales, our bespoke Oak Field Deal Curriculum reflects who we are as a community school at the heart of Gibbonsdown in Barry.

What Drives Our Curriculum?

Our curriculum is designed to support every learner to make progress in a meaningful way. We achieve this by focusing on:

  • The Four Purposes: We develop learners who are:
     

    • Ambitious, capable learners
       

    • Healthy, confident individuals
       

    • Ethical, informed citizens
       

    • Enterprising, creative contributors
       

  • Cultures of Learning: Eight elements underpin all learning – including language, relationships, environment and modelling of learning – to ensure consistency and quality.

8 Cultural Forces that define our classrooms

  • The Three C’s: Every topic is built around Concept, Context and Content, using our twelve cluster-wide concepts to ensure meaningful learning that progresses as pupils grow.

PLC Cluster - Be Respectful, Be Inclusive, Be Aspirational

  • Wellbeing at the Core: We nurture the emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing of learners, staff and families.

What Makes Our Curriculum Unique?

  • Inquiry-Based Learning: Children’s questions, curiosity and ideas help to shape their learning journeys.
     

  • Curriculum Enrichment: Pupils take part in school council, intergenerational projects, educational visits, outdoor learning, and real-world performances.
     

  • Metacognition and Learning Dispositions: Children reflect on how they learn through key dispositions like resilience, curiosity, collaboration and self-awareness.
     

  • Bilingualism and Siarter Iaith: Welsh language and culture are celebrated daily, supported by our Gwobr Aur status.
     

  • Equality and Diversity: Our curriculum challenges stereotypes, promotes social justice and celebrates our diverse community.

​

Daily Learning in Practice

​

  • Literacy & Numeracy: Daily lessons in phonics (Read Write Inc.), writing (The Write Path) and maths (Maths No Problem) are enhanced through cross-curricular opportunities.
     

  • Digital Competency: Embedded across all areas using the Digital Competence Framework.
     

  • Progressive Planning: Phases (1–3) ensure age-appropriate depth and challenge across all Areas of Learning & Experience (AoLEs).

How We Know Our Children Are Progressing

​

  • We use a mix of daily formative assessment and termly/baseline assessments, alongside professional dialogue and pupil learning reviews. Our Learner Progress Cycle ensures each child receives personalised support and challenge as they move forward.

​

Everyone Plays a Part

​

  • Learners take growing responsibility for their progress.
     

  • Teachers and Support Staff plan creative, inclusive and challenging lessons.
     

  • Parents and Carers are engaged through regular updates, family learning opportunities and celebration events.
     

  • Governors support, monitor and shape our curriculum through our Curriculum & Standards Subcommittee.
     

Want to Learn More?

​

Visit Curriculum for Wales to understand the national framework, or contact the school to arrange a visit and see our curriculum in action.

bottom of page