CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK POLICY

PURPOSE

To ensure Reservoir East Primary School complies with DET policy and guidelines in relation to its curriculum framework. 

SCOPE

Curriculum covers all the arrangements our school makes for students’ development and learning.  It includes the course content, student activities, teaching approaches, the way in which teachers and classes are organised and decisions on the need for and the use of facilities and resources. 

At Reservoir East Primary School our purpose is to provide a safe, caring learning environment for our students so that they are motivated, engaged, resilient and prepared to contribute to the academic and social/emotional growth of themselves and others. Our school encourages its students to strive for excellence in all of these endeavours. To achieve this, the school provides sequential teaching and learning programs that deliver a comprehensive, broadly based and inclusive curriculum.  

DEFINITION

The Victorian Curriculum F-10 together with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, specifies the skills children and young people need for success in work and life. The Victorian Curriculum F-10 provides the framework for curriculum development for Foundation – Year 10. It is structured as a learning continuum that enables teachers to identify the student’s current levels of achievement and then deliver teaching and learning programs that support progression of learning. 

The curriculum integrates the ‘Towards Foundation Level Victorian Curriculum’ directly into the curriculum and is referred to as ‘Levels A to D’ for students with disabilities. 

The Victorian Curriculum F-10 incorporates the Australian Curriculum and reflects Victorian standards and priorities.

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 includes eight learning areas and four capabilities. The curriculum achievement standards are provided in 11 levels for English and Mathematics and in five or six bands for all the other learning areas and capabilities. Achievement standards are provided in four levels (Levels A to D) for students with disabilities. 

IMPLEMENTATION

• Our school will recognise and respond to diverse student needs when developing its curriculum programs and curriculum plan. 

• The Victorian Curriculum will be used as a framework for curriculum development and delivery at Foundation to Year 6 in accordance with DET policy and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) guidelines. 

• The school implements the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) model for continuous school improvement. 

• In developing the Curriculum Plan, our school will provide at least 25 hours of student instruction per week. (See Appendix A)

• The school will support the Victorian Curriculum with other programs according to priorities e.g. Sustainability, First Nations curriculum

• Teaching and learning programs will be resourced through Program Budgets. 

• Our school will identify and cater for the different needs of particular cohorts of students when developing its curriculum plan using the Response to Intervention model

• An agreed Assessment matrix will be implemented by teachers to guide Teaching and Learning for individual and groups of students and for program development.

• The school will ensure English as an Additional Language (EAL) is provided for new arrivals. 

• The school will provide quality and meaningful education for Koorie students by use of the Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026. 

• Our school will ensure all students have access to a quality education that meets their diverse needs. This will be reflected in Individual Education Plans for all students. 

• Our school will provide culturally appropriate and inclusive programs for all students by creating an environment that respects, recognises and celebrates cultural identity through practice and curriculum. 

• The Leadership Team will determine the curriculum program for the following year, based on student need determined through data analysis and the School Strategic and Annual Implementation Plans.

• Input will be sought from the relevant staff in the curriculum area when determining programs for the following school year. 

• The DET requirements related to the teaching of Health, Physical Education, Resilience Rights Respectful Relations and LOTE will be implemented. 

• The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will be integrated across the curriculum to support the improvement of teaching and learning outcomes. 

• In developing its curriculum plan the school will provide a broad range of educational pathways to ensure improved student outcomes. 

• The school will document through its School Strategic Plan and the Annual Implementation Plan which key strategies for improvement in student learning outcomes form part of its curriculum plan. 

• Curriculum will be reviewed annually according to the school’s priorities. 

• A wide range of educational resources to support teaching and learning will be accessed. 

• The school will undertake a range of student assessment and reporting activities. 

•  The school will ensure that classrooms are safe and classroom activities are conducted safely. 

• Every four years, the school will undertake a major review of curriculum, curriculum delivery and student learning outcomes. 

EVALUATION

This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s three-year review cycle or if guidelines change 

This policy was last reviewed: September 2021

The next review date will be: September 2025