Our curriculum goes beyond academics; it’s designed to benefit both our local community and society at large. We promote values like tolerance, empathy, and environmental consciousness. Our goal is to empower our students to communicate confidently in an ever-evolving world. We prioritize the development of their moral, spiritual, social, and cultural understanding, preparing them effectively for life in contemporary Britain. We meticulously structure the essential knowledge that students require to become well-informed citizens in a constantly changing world. Our objective is to introduce them to the most profound thoughts and achievements of humanity, fostering an appreciation for human creativity and accomplishment.

Within our PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) curriculum, we equip students with the knowledge and skills to ensure their safety. They have the opportunity to delve into and discuss issues affecting both our local community and society as a whole. Our aim is for students to set high aspirations and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Our students also gain increasing knowledge about maintaining their physical and mental well-being, adopting healthy eating habits, and leading an active lifestyle. We facilitate their physical activity by offering a wide range of opportunities during and after school hours.

At our academy, we foster an inclusive environment where every learner can fully enjoy their educational experience. Our curriculum and learning opportunities are thoughtfully designed to ensure that all students have access to a comprehensive and well-rounded education.

Regular visits are scheduled to align with various curriculum areas in order to elevate and enrich the learning process. Beyond the scheduled visits held every half-term, teachers will organize extra experiences and enrichment activities to further enhance the learning experience.

Our reading Ambassadors have been chosen due to their enthusiasm and love for reading.

We set up assemblies to introduce authors of the month.

We select Mystery Books from our year group Top 30 Reads.

We help launch our teacher recommendations.

Playground Buddies is a really important role here at The Vale Primary Academy. What do our Playground Buddies do?

All children within the academy are part of one of 4 houses:

Children can earn points throughout the day for behaviour which demonstrates effort and commitment to the academy ethos. Respect, Excellence, Pride, Compassion, Aspirations; Together we believe, accomplish and achieve.

To reinforce our SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural) education approach, we employ the use of Votes For Schools.

Votes For Schools is a weekly platform centred on current affairs and voting, specially crafted to captivate the interest of children and young individuals in matters pertaining to politics and social concerns. Through weekly discussions and participation in voting, not only do participants gain insights into the world around them, but they also actively engage as responsible citizens, preparing themselves for future involvement in our democratic processes.

At The Vale Primary Academy, we take great pride in being a Thrive school. But what exactly is Thrive? Thrive represents a unique approach to working with children, focusing on nurturing their social and emotional well-being, thereby empowering them to actively participate in life and learning. This approach aids in cultivating their self-confidence, competence, and adaptability while also addressing any challenging behaviors, thus providing a solid foundation for academic achievement.

At the core of Thrive lies the cultivation of positive relationships with our dedicated staff. These relationships, combined with play and creative activities, offer children essential experiences tailored to each stage of their development. Consistent exposure to these activities fosters their growth, enabling them to truly thrive.

Our commitment to Thrive extends throughout our entire school community, with all staff members actively engaged in identifying, profiling, and supporting our students’ mental and emotional well-being. Within our academy, we are fortunate to have a dedicated Thrive practitioner, Mrs. Iveson, who conducts personalized one-on-one and group support sessions for our children. Through these sessions, we identify and address developmental gaps, helping our students build resilience.

Within our academy, we have created a specialized Thrive room that is thoughtfully equipped to provide all the resources necessary for staff and children to interact, create, and manage their emotions. Children have the freedom to read, paint, and build at their own pace in this space. While primarily utilized for Thrive sessions, this room is open to all students and staff members to support mental and emotional well-being, foster relationships, and promote development throughout the school day, including lunchtimes.

Our ultimate goal is to witness every child at The Vale Primary Academy thriving!

Forest School is a comprehensive and student-centered outdoor education approach, emphasizing long-term engagement. It enables children to foster their personal growth by encouraging them to explore risk, problem-solving, and self-discovery in a natural setting, promoting hands-on and reflective learning. Furthermore, our academy offers an after-school Forest School Club that is available to children throughout the year, providing them with the option to participate if they desire.

All pupils experience a rich RSHE and SMSC curriculum, including British values. Please see link below to further information on our offer in these areas: