It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.’ 
David Allan Coe

Our Curriculum

‘Happy Confident Children, Learning to Learn’

Intent
The core intention of our curriculum is for our children to develop a deep body of knowledge and skills through engaging and memorable learning experiences which encourage all children to ask ‘big’ questions and develop Independence and resilience in their learning.

Children will learn through a thematic, enquiry based curriculum that still maintains the integrity of subject disciplines. The curriculum will support children to develop a very rich vocabulary. Through clear, planned progression, the curriculum has woven knowledge, skills, vocabulary and concepts throughout all the enquiries studied. The curriculum has strong links with the local area and the UK and makes links to significant people and places within the locality. 

Our curriculum prepares children to live in their world and to be able to contribute as knowledgeable and responsible citizens. All of our children are entitled to an education that builds cultural capital and gives them the chance to access the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Implementation
In primary schools within The Priory Learning Trust (TPLT), we teach the National Curriculum 2018 through 21 x 12 week learning enquiries over seven years; three per year for each year group.

At Castle Batch Primary School Academy, we explore the curriculum through Big Ideas and Big Questions. The Big ideas encompass the concepts that are developed as children journey through our school. The Big Questions start our enquiries and form the focus of our learning for each Learning cycle.

Impact

‘Learning is defined as an alteration in long term memory. If nothing has been altered in long-term memory-nothing has been learned’
Sweller et al

The impact of our curriculum will be measured by establishing how much children know and can do during each Learning Cycle. We will use everyday classroom practise to ascertain how our children are meeting age related expectations. Talking to children about their learning is a powerful tool to determine their understanding and to unpick their thinking in order to facilitate deeper understanding.

At the end of each learning enquiry a dedicated week is allocated for summative assessments which will include nationalised tests, self and peer quizzes etc.

If you want to find out more about our curriculum,

please contact Sally Taylor; sally.taylor@cbpsa.theplt.org.uk.