Intent

Curriculum Design

Our ambitious curriculum aims to put our diverse mix of children at the centre of our school, where positive relationships, inclusivity and respect are at the forefront of everything we do.

Our curriculum has been designed to take into account the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the Primary National Curriculum. It aims to give children a wide variety of experiences, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for the next stages in their education.

Across all subjects, our curriculum celebrates and utilises our multicultural cohorts and ensures that children have a deep understanding of equality and diversity, respond to others empathetically and celebrate cultural differences.

To foster “Success for All”, we have built a curriculum that also develops their personal characteristics of which creativity plays a pivotal role.

Ultimately, we encourage children to be themselves, have aspirations for their future and have a thirst for learning more.

Sequencing

Our curriculum is sequenced such that it builds on children’s prior knowledge, skills and experiences. Staff are aware of prior learning and future opportunities so that the purpose of the lessons and units of work are clear.

Disciplinary Knowledge

We aim for our children to BE historians, geographers, scientists etc… by ensuring that the key skills required are promulgated through our lessons. Lessons clearly identify the skill that is being taught and applied and these are referenced throughout lessons.

Broad and Balanced

All children access a broad and balanced curriculum enriched with the first-hand experiences they require and might not otherwise receive. This enables them to be ready for the next stage in their education as well as being equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to take advantage of future opportunities in their lives.

Implementation

Teacher knowledge

Teachers impart knowledge to the children through a range of learning opportunities. The curriculum for each year group is carefully designed to ensure coverage and progression across all subject areas; developing depth of knowledge and understanding together with opportunities for intelligent repetition which enables children to remember more. Teachers recognise children’s prior learning, encourage the children to develop interpersonal skills, build resilience and become creative, critical thinkers. Children are supported to achieve their potential and progress with confidence to the next phase of their education. Our subject coordinators act as champions for their subjects to ensure that the staff have the required knowledge to deliver the necessary content.

Teacher delivery

In order to raise the aspirations of our children and raise their belief that they “can” if they are prepared to work hard, we prioritise an experiential, topic-based approach to learning within our curriculum. We utilise the school’s grounds as much as possible as well as the local area, which is steeped in history. Furthermore, we offer educational and residential visits to develop children’s academic and social skills and enhance their hands-on learning experiences. Our curriculum is enriched by a range of extracurricular activities, including those in sport, music and the outdoors. Our approach to teaching and learning supports our curriculum by ensuring that lessons build on prior learning and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. The development of children’s knowledge and skills across all primary subjects is key when building on prior learning; this supports pupils for the next stage of their learning 

Transference of knowledge

We believe that it is our fundamental responsibility (and a child’s fundamental right) to be able to speak clearly and articulately and read and write effectively. Therefore, reading is a priority across all areas of the curriculum and links intrinsically to all that we do. Our phonics scheme (Success for All from Fischer Family Trust) and Destination Reader are vital to this.  Our topic-based approach to “learning journeys” gives children opportunities to apply key knowledge and skills in a range of contexts.

Use of assessment

Assessment in all its forms is used throughout learning journeys and is continually used to enable staff to effectively plan, deliver and review the content of the curriculum as well as identify children who will need intervention to ensure that they catch up and keep up with their peers. Pupils are supported in school with extra support/resources deployed as necessary to help close the individual learning gaps

Focus on key knowledge (rather than too much information)

The pastoral element of the curriculum plays a large part in ensuring success for all. As well as a strong PSHE curriculum, we meet the needs of our children through additional interventions, both reactive and proactive, to ensure that children are able to access the learning in the best mindset possible. Pupils are supported in school with extra support/resources deployed as necessary to help close gaps in knowledge. Key skills such as evaluation, reflection and investigation are developed across our curriculum.  Lessons are planned in such a way that children can apply their knowledge in thinking/problem solving contexts.

Impact

Acquire knowledge and cultural capital

Our children demonstrate the values of acceptance, perseverance, respect, independence and achievement in all areas of the curriculum and are able to form meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and trust, recognising and celebrating differences within and beyond the school community

Produce work of high quality

Our children acquire strong knowledge of the curriculum and are able to use this to support their writing content. Children take pride in their work across all subjects.

Make progress (know more, do more and remember more)

Our children make good progress from their starting points regardless of their background. They are able to make links across subjects and refer to prior learning to enable them to know, do and remember more.

Be prepared for the next stage of their education

Our children are well-equipped for the next stage in their education and grow up to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and come from. They develop a strong sense of belonging and feel that their contributions towards their and others’ learning is valued.