Curriculum

BECKFOOT PRIESTTHORPE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM STATEMENT 

The delivery of our curriculum is based on the following evidence-based principles: 

• Short and frequent reviews of previous learning allow fluent recall. 
• New material is presented in small steps to allow time for practice. 
• Teachers use a wide range of questioning strategies to encourage active participation, build confidence and connect with prior learning.    

• Provide pupils with models and worked examples to help them learn to solve problems faster. 
• Teachers will check for pupil understanding and guide pupil practice. 
• Pupils will be provided with opportunities for independent, extensive practice to allow them to develop fluency and consolidate learning. 
• We will provide pupils with appropriate support and scaffolds to assist them in their learning. 
• Teachers will provide opportunities to reflect and act on learning regularly. 

• The curriculum and it’s learning experiences are designed and sequenced in order to ensure children connect old and new knowledge, allowing them to develop competency and fluency across all topics. 

INTENT 

Our curriculum intent is driven by our 3 values of Enjoy Learn Succeed. 

Enjoy – great learning experiences inspire curiosity, creativity and a desire to know more 

Learn – an ambitious and coherent curriculum that enables children to know, do and remember more 

Succeed – raises aspirations, opens eyes to the world beyond the immediate local environment, builds resilience and encourages a positive mindset 

We have ensured that our curriculum is not only tailored to our pupils’ interests and needs but also ensures that they are ready for life in the wider world.  We believe in subject based lessons and want our pupils to have a passion for subject based learning.  We want our pupils to dream of being a Historian, an Artist or a Scientist and have the knowledge and skills to succeed. 

We recently reviewed our curriculum and we have used the Primary Knowledge Curriculum (PKC) to ensure that our provision for History, Geography, Science and Art is a carefully sequenced, knowledge rich curriculum which aims to inspire pupils, promote excellent outcomes for all and overcome inequality of opportunity. 

What is a knowledge rich curriculum? 

• Places powerful knowledge at the heart of the curriculum 

• Has carefully chosen content 
• Is organised in a coherent way, ensuring it builds year to year 
• Is cumulative, constructing firm foundations from which children can build conceptual understanding and skills over time 
• Is an entitlement for every child regardless of background 
• Is coherent and ensures that teaching does not jump from topic to topic, but enables children to develop knowledge, foster curiosity and ignite a love of learning 

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION 

The materials provided equip teachers with the knowledge they need to deliver lessons effectively.  By providing our teachers with the ‘what’ to teach, we give teachers more freedom to focus on the classroom delivery and their pupils’ needs. Unit rationales outline core knowledge for each subject.  Lesson plans specify the knowledge to be taught, provide key questions, suggested tasks and key vocabulary.  Assessment tasks and quizzes are provided to check for understanding and we have also developed our own cumulative quizzes and retrieval methods to support the learning process.  Knowledge organisers provide finger-tip knowledge for pupils to support their recall and remembering in science and humanities. 

For those subjects outside of PKC we are using the same lesson structure and developing the key knowledge and goals.  This will be our continuing focus for curriculum development. 

IMPACT 

The aims of this curriculum for our pupils: 

Building knowledge 

Children will be able to talk confidently about their learning in all subjects and the work in their books, displays around the school, class assemblies and evidence in lessons will show a love of learning and engagement across the curriculum. 

 

They will demonstrate a good knowledge of global issues and will speak positively about the multicultural world in which they live. Celebration of diversity and encouragement of respect will be evident in their work and daily interactions. 

 

We intend that the impact is that children will be academically and physically prepared for the next phase of their education, in Britain and the world. 

 

Working with purpose 

Children are resilient, they don’t give up, are highly motivated to succeed and achieve and are equipped with all the personal skills to do this. This is seen by how all children, regardless of their starting points, approach challenges every day. This could be on the playground, in a game or disagreement, or in class in a complex learning challenge. 

 

They will take pride in all that they do, always striving to do their best. They will demonstrate emotional resilience and the ability to persevere when they encounter challenge. They will develop a sense of self-awareness and become confident in their own abilities. They will be kind, respectful and honest, demonstrate inclusive attitudes and have a sense of their role in our wider society. 

 

Aiming for success 

Our children’s attainment in core and foundation subjects is in line with or exceeding their age-related expectations.  They will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and will listen respectfully and with tolerance to the views of others. 

 

Living our values 

Our learners will have a clear understanding of our school values of Enjoy Learn Succeed. The children will demonstrate these characteristics that prepares them for living and thriving in the community.  We measure this not just by the work our children produce, but in the behaviours we see each and every day in all learners on the playground, in the corridor, and in the many roles we give them. The impact of this is seen in the daily interaction of all members of our school community. Our children will go out into the world and make a difference in their own life and to others.