Case Study 7.2.2 Excalibur Primary School, England
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Title: The Human Body a Cross-curricular Approach

Main Whole School Strand: Formal Curriculum

1. Description of the School

210 children, age range 4-11 years, seven classes. The school is situated in the south - east corner of Alsager in Cheshire. Many pupils come from outside the school’s catchment area.

2. Aims and Outcomes of the Project

Our Year 3 class of 30 children were involved in this cross - curricular project. We are developing a cross - curricular approach to learning at Excalibur. This project therefore links with our School Development Plan in the area developing teaching and learning throughout the school.

3. The Project: Content and Development

The Year 3 class teacher is already an expert in cross - curricular teaching and learning. The theme that is the subject of this case study is the human body. The purpose of this project is to promote crosscurricular teaching. We believe that when teachers work in this way and learning links across the curriculum then we are helping a pupil’s brain to make those connections. This makes sense if, as we know, the brain works intelligently by making connections. The children are therefore able to transfer learning in one area to another. This also helps to make sense of the learning and puts it in a useful context. In this project there are opportunities for children to accept responsibility for their own learning and to use their own preferred learning styles. The teaching is flexible and varied to enable it to appeal to all learning styles.

4. Drivers: a) External b) Internal

a) This project links to the Local Education Authority’s promotion of Mind Friendly Learning. b) The development of cross-curricular teaching and learning in our School Development Plan.

5. Assessment

Pupils were assessed informally in their confidence and knowledgeable presentation of their learning to the school and parents – parts of which make up the video.

6. Evaluation

From pupil assessment.

7. Constraints or Difficulties in Developing the Project

Class size is always a problem. Smaller classes will always maximise an excellent teacher’s efforts.

8. Benefits of the Project

A demonstration of the effectiveness of cross-curricular teaching.

9. Future Developments

In our School Development Plan we are developing our policy and practice in teaching and learning. Cross-curricular teaching and learning will be encouraged.

10. Additional Comments

Unit 7 Case Study Index
Section 7.1
Study Guide Table of Contents or Resources Index