Curriculum and STEM
Our school is a unique and vibrant learning environment where academic excellence in English, music and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects partner with passion and creativity.
Our curriculum is broad, balanced and tailored to meet the needs of all pupils, including those who need extra support or challenge high achieving, talented and gifted children.
The core thread running through the curriculum are our values, and the curriculum drives all aspects of the school, ensuring all children thrive and find meaning and fulfilment in their school life.
We deliver a broad curriculum which is enriched by learning experiences and engagement with the local community. We believe in experiential learning, where children “learn by doing” and by reflecting on their experiences.
Contextualising children’s learning is key, so that they learn from real life and foster a spirit of inquiry and purpose – situating learning, making it challenging, memorable and purposeful.
Our focus is on every single pupil, regardless of background or academic ability. Every child is an individual and our role is to nurture all children's potential through a personalised approach to learning. Our children are happy, independent, confident all-rounders. We don’t just teach, we want our pupils to have a passion to learn.
STEM focus
The school was set up with a focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics because Wokingham is in the heart of the UK Silicon Valley, home to some of the world’s most successful global tech brands such as Microsoft, Oracle, Vodafone, Deloitte, Adobe, Sisco and 3M.
The Evendons Thematic Curriculum
Our thematic curriculum was written by the teachers to promote high quality learning through engaging History, Geography and Science themes. It is sequenced to provide a clear framework of progression in knowledge to equip children for the next stage of their education.
The themes are tailored to the children in our local community and the values of the school. We believe this helps them make deeper connections with their work, develop their love of learn and create exceptional learners and thinkers. For example, Geography builds from focusing on the school grounds and the local area of Wokingham and Reading. We find that using the thematic approach, improves the quality of teaching and learning in many ways:
- Thematic planning seeks to view teaching and learning in an interactive and holistic way that reflects the real world
- Thematic units are powerful tools for building and maintaining children’ interest during learning
- It helps the children to make connections with their work
- It keeps pupils engaged
- It draws on connections from the real world and life experiences
- It makes the learning more relevant.
Thematic planning is aimed at helping children contextualising what they learn, and applying it in real life situations. For further information on the curriculum and to discuss it with the Curriculum Lead, email the school office office@evendons-primary.co.uk
Our mascot: Techo
Our much-loved mascot is called Techo, which is our STEM robot designed by our pupils.
He makes surprise appearances during our STEM fairs, and whole-school events such as Summer Fairs, Sports Day and other major gatherings during the school year.
