Curriculum

The Learning Challenge Curriculum has been created with a strong sense of enquiry at its heart. The question-led units encourage pupils to research and present information, fully considering their ability to retain key knowledge and skills for the long term. We use the National Curriculum as a reference point and take opportunities to enrich learning by considering our context and locality.

The Learning Challenge Curriculum is a question-based approach to structuring and delivering the National Curriculum.

Through pre-learning activities, children identify what they know already and what they want to find out. These questions are then built into the Learning Challenge theme for the half term. Each theme is mapped against the National Curriculum and our progression of skills in each subject.

This model gives the children some ownership of their learning and, as a result, are very engaged. Children are very positive about this approach to learning.

Learning Challenges are taught in a cross-curricular way.

This approach provides a context for children to make meaningful connections between subject areas and experience how these areas fit together. Where cross-curricular links are not meaningful, subjects are taught separately.

We place a strong emphasis on the development of basic skills – skills that are necessary for lifelong learning.

Each year group has a set of ‘non-negotiable’ basic skills that are taught and expected to be applied. All children have daily phonics lessons until they are secure in their knowledge. We use Essential Letters and Sounds, which is a Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme.

Through daily teaching, and Number Sense interventions where a need has been identified, children develop a secure understanding of number facts.

Phonics and Maths are taught separately from the Learning Challenge Curriculum.

In order for children to know about their locality, community and heritage, some of our Learning Challenges are very specific to Hereford.

We use the local area and people to bring learning alive. We have specific whole-school challenges linked to national events. The Diamond Jubilee, Platinum Jubilee and Olympics have previously provided excellent opportunities for different Learning Challenges.

Celebration

At the end of each Learning Challenge, children celebrate the learning journey they have been on. When possible, we invite families in to share this learning celebration.

To find out more about the Learning Challenge Curriculum, you can follow the link to their website.

The Learning Challenge Curriculum

Riverside Learning Challenge Curriculum Overview

Remote Learning Provision

At Riverside Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils continue to learn effectively when they are unable to attend school in person. In line with the Department for Education requirements for maintained schools to publish information about their remote education provision, our approach is set out clearly below. [legislation.gov.uk]

Platform Used for Remote Learning: Seesaw

Riverside Primary School uses Seesaw as its main online platform for setting, receiving, and responding to remote learning. Seesaw enables pupils to access learning materials, submit work, communicate with teachers, and maintain a consistent learning routine from home.

Through Seesaw, pupils can:

Access daily lessons, tasks, and activities.
Upload photos, videos, voice recordings, and written work.
Receive feedback from teachers in a timely and supportive manner.
Stay connected with their class and maintain continuity in their learning.

When Remote Education Will Be Provided

In accordance with national guidance, Riverside Primary School will provide remote education only when attendance in school is not possible, and after it has been established that the pupil is, or will be, absent. [gov.uk]

This includes:

Individual pupils who cannot attend school (e.g., due to infectious illness but are well enough to learn).
Partial or full school closures or circumstances where onsite attendance would contradict government guidance. [dera.ioe.ac.uk]

Remote education is considered a short‑term, last‑resort measure, and our priority will always be to support pupils to return to face‑to‑face learning as soon as possible. [dera.ioe.ac.uk]

What Our Remote Education Will Include

Riverside Primary School aims to ensure that remote learning is meaningful, manageable, and aligned with the curriculum taught in school.

In line with DfE expectations for high‑quality remote education, our offer includes:

Activities equivalent in length to the core teaching pupils would receive in school, proportionate to the duration of absence.
A mix of recorded teaching, direct instruction, and independent tasks (e.g., Oak National Academy videos, teacher-recorded explanations).
Clear daily expectations posted on Seesaw.
Opportunities to practise key skills in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Curriculum‑aligned learning in wider subjects.
Regular teacher feedback through Seesaw to support progress.

Expectations for Pupils and Parents

We ask that pupils:

Log into Seesaw each day during periods of remote education.
Complete tasks to the best of their ability.
Submit work through Seesaw so teachers can monitor learning and provide feedback.

We ask that parents and carers:

Support children with routines where possible.
Contact school if access to devices or connectivity is a barrier—we will seek to provide support or loan equipment wherever possible (subject to availability).

Recording Pupil Attendance During Remote Learning

In accordance with statutory attendance regulations, pupils receiving remote education will still be recorded as absent during periods when they are not physically attending school.
However, engagement with remote learning will also be monitored to ensure continuity and support.

Safeguarding and Online Safety

All remote education provided through Seesaw follows the school’s safeguarding and online safety policies. Staff, pupils, and families are reminded to communicate only via school‑approved channels.

Support for Vulnerable and SEND Pupils

We ensure that pupils with SEND or additional needs are supported through:

Personalised learning materials on Seesaw where appropriate.
Access to specialist interventions online if feasible.
Regular check‑ins with pupils and parents where necessary.

Keeping Parents Informed

Riverside Primary School will provide clear communication with families about remote education arrangements whenever they are activated, ensuring parents know:

What work is being set
How to access Seesaw
Who to contact for help

Curriculum

Reading

Phonics

Writing

Mathematics

Science

Geography

History

PSHE - RSE

Physical Education

Music

Modern Foreign Languages

Forest School

Design Technology

Computing

Art

Religious Education