Curriculum Subjects

Why do we do what we do?

Our FS curriculum is underpinned by the needs, interests and abilities of the children. The primary reason for doing it this way is because all pupils are individual, leading to each cohort being individual too. We provide opportunities for pupils to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding in a systematic way that builds on abilities and understanding, as well as any prior learning. Our aim is to have a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils and for it to be broad and balanced as well as being inclusive.

Our Y1-Y6 curriculum is underpinned by the National Curriculum and our desire for children to know more about the world in which they live. It emphasises the importance of developing the depth of children’s knowledge. In essence, this means providing children with increased cognitive challenge and opportutiies to revisit and recall key learning whilst allowing them to apply the skills which they have learnt independently in a range of contexts.

We believe this curriculum provides us with a coherent, progressive and appropriately sequenced curricular structure to enable our pupils to develop subject specific knowledge and skills to prepare them well for the next stages of their education. The curriculum, builds progressively on from the learning in the Foundation Stage. 

We’ve ensured that our curriculum is underpinned by our values and key drivers. We believe it is important that the curriculum both explicitly and implicitly develops these attributes so they are meaningful to pupils and they can see how they affect their daily and future lives.

English and Maths form the core foundations of our curriculum to ensure all children have the key knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

We have mapped out the curriculum for each subject so it is easy to see what is being studied at any time during the year.

As they move through each key stage, pupils study four countries in depth over a period of two years. Within each country, themes are explored and different subjects are covered. Choosing this approach enables our children to develop meaningful links and opens their eyes to a world beyond their immediate locality. It also builds their cultural capital, preparing them with the essential knowledge for their future success. Planning in this way ensures all children have access to the full curriculum which progresses in skills and knowledge across the year. We have ensured that we create opportunities to return to prior learning so children have the chance to deepen their knowledge and skills. This will also give then the opportunity to learn and remember more. Progression has been carefully planned for across each key stage and as children progress through FS to the end of KS2, preparing them fully for transition to the next phase in their education. 

We feel it is so important to inspire the children with a wealth of additional experiences and opportunities. Children need to have the chance to experience new things and to explore things presented to them in a different way. Each key stage has at least one trip and one inspirational visitor per year linked to their country. In addition, each key stage can access an enhancement opportunity linked to an identified desire/interest. There are also whole school annual trips and visitors, the opportunity to take part in two residentials, and a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and opportunities throughout the year.

Our curriculum builds a community of learners with an excellent attitude to learning in a safe and caring environment.

Children shine at St.Botolph’s and have fun.