Our Curriculum at Ysgol Bro Carmel
Discovering, learning and growing together
At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we want your child to enjoy coming to school, feel excited about learning and develop the confidence, knowledge and skills they need for the future. Our curriculum is designed around our children. We provide engaging learning experiences that encourage them to explore, ask questions, be creative, solve problems and discover more about the world around them.
As a school in Carmel, near Holywell, we make the most of our local community and environment. Learning doesn’t just happen at a desk. It can take place outdoors, through visits and visitors, in our local area and through practical experiences that help children make meaningful connections with what they are learning.
Above all, we want every child to feel happy, included, challenged and proud of what they achieve. Our curriculum follows the Curriculum for Wales and is shaped to meet the needs of the children at Ysgol Bro Carmel.
What will my child learn?
The Curriculum for Wales brings learning together through six Areas of Learning and Experience. These areas connect with one another, helping children understand how their learning fits together rather than always experiencing subjects in isolation.
Languages, Literacy and Communication
Your child will develop the skills to speak, listen, read, write and communicate confidently. We want children to develop a love of books and reading while becoming confident communicators. Welsh language and culture are also an important part of life at Ysgol Bro Carmel, helping our children develop a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Find out more about Languages, Literacy and Communication in the Curriculum for Wales.
Mathematics and Numeracy
Children develop their understanding of numbers, calculation, shape, measure, data and mathematical reasoning. We give children opportunities to use their mathematical skills in meaningful and practical situations so that they understand how mathematics connects with everyday life.
Find out more about Mathematics and Numeracy in the Curriculum for Wales.
Science and Technology
Children are encouraged to be curious about how and why things happen. They investigate, experiment, design, make and solve problems while developing their understanding of science, technology and the increasingly digital world around them.
Find out more about Science and Technology in the Curriculum for Wales.
Humanities
Through Humanities, children discover more about people, places and the world in which they live. Learning includes history, geography, religion, values and ethics, helping children understand their local community, Wales and the wider world.
Find out more about Humanities in the Curriculum for Wales.
Expressive Arts
We want children to have opportunities to imagine, create, perform and express themselves. Through art, music, dance, drama and other creative experiences, children can discover new interests, develop their talents and build confidence.
Find out more about Expressive Arts in the Curriculum for Wales.
Health and Well-being
Being ready to learn starts with feeling safe, happy and supported. Children learn about their physical and emotional well-being, healthy relationships and making positive choices. We help them develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need to manage challenges as they grow.
Find out more about Health and Well-being in the Curriculum for Wales
What are the Four Purposes?
You may hear us talk about the Four Purposes. These are at the heart of the Curriculum for Wales and describe the qualities we want children to develop throughout their education.
At Ysgol Bro Carmel, we help children to become:
- Ambitious, capable learners who enjoy learning and are ready to learn throughout their lives.
- Enterprising, creative contributors who can think creatively, solve problems and contribute their ideas.
- Ethical, informed citizens who understand their community, Wales and the wider world and recognise their responsibilities to others.
- Healthy, confident individuals who feel secure in themselves and are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.
The Four Purposes aren’t separate lessons. They run through everything your child experiences at school, from classroom learning and outdoor experiences to friendships, responsibilities and wider school life.
Parents can find out more about the Four Purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.
Bringing learning to life
We believe children remember learning when it is meaningful, enjoyable and connected to real experiences. That’s why we look for opportunities to take learning beyond traditional classroom activities.
Our location provides wonderful opportunities to explore the world immediately around us. Children can learn through our outdoor spaces, Forest School, Carmel Woods, educational visits, visitors, practical activities and experiences within our wider community. These experiences help children develop independence, curiosity, teamwork and confidence alongside their academic learning.
Forest School
Every child from Reception to Year 6 has opportunities to take part in Forest School at Ysgol Bro Carmel. Our Forest School provision gives children opportunities to explore and learn outdoors while developing practical skills, resilience, independence, teamwork and an appreciation of the natural world.
Discover Forest School at Ysgol Bro Carmel
Celebrating our Welsh identity
Being part of Wales is an important part of who we are. Children have opportunities to develop their Welsh language skills and learn about Welsh culture, history and traditions. We want our pupils to understand and celebrate their own community and heritage while developing curiosity and respect for other cultures and communities across the world. Our local area also provides opportunities for children to make connections between their learning and the people, places, history and environment around them.
Your child’s voice matters
We want children to know that their ideas and opinions are valued. Children are encouraged to ask questions, make choices, share their views and contribute ideas about their learning and school life. Giving children a voice helps them develop confidence and teaches them that they can make a positive contribution to their school and wider community.
How will my child be supported?
Every child is different. Children don’t all learn in exactly the same way or at exactly the same pace. Our teachers get to know the children in their classes and adapt learning to provide an appropriate balance of support and challenge. Where a child needs additional help, we work with families to understand their individual needs and consider the most appropriate support.
Find out about Additional Learning Needs at Ysgol Bro Carmel
How will I know how my child is progressing?
Assessment is part of everyday teaching and learning.
Teachers use what they see, hear and learn from children’s work to understand what your child can already do and what they need to learn next. This helps us plan appropriate next steps, provide additional support where it is needed and make sure children continue to be challenged as they progress. We believe that working in partnership with parents and carers is an important part of supporting children’s learning and development.
Our curriculum continues to grow
Just like our children, our curriculum continues to develop. We regularly consider what is working well, listen to our children and families, and look for new opportunities to make learning meaningful, relevant and exciting. Our aim is to give every child at Ysgol Bro Carmel the knowledge, skills, experiences and confidence they need to discover, learn and grow.
For more information about the national curriculum framework, visit the official Curriculum for Wales guidance on Hwb.
