The curriculum is what is taught in school. The teachers plan what they are going to teach each term in their teams, using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and the National Curriculum, together with the children’s interests, knowledge and expertise to make sure that all children receive a broad and balanced curriculum which is appropriate to their needs and stage of development.


Our aim is to provide every child with a structured curriculum which leads to the development of the skills and knowledge in each subject in an intergrated cross-curricular approach. We place great emphasis on the basic skills of literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy (number work), particularly in the early years of primary education.

The Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage profile and approach is implemented within all aspects of EY children's learning opportunities.   In the Foundation Stage follows the Early Learning Goals in the seven areas of learning as set out the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

There are 3 Prime areas of learning which are Communication and language, Physical Development and Personal, social and emotional development

There are 4 Specific areas of learning

• Literacy
• Understanding of the world
• Expressive Arts and Design
• Mathematics

The Early Learning Goals set out a clear progression of skills and knowledge for each area of learning.

Teaching and learning with very young children is based on practical experiences and activities with a great emphasis on the development of speaking and listening skills.
At the end of the Foundation Stage (end of Reception) children are assessed using the Foundation Stage Profile. Children are assessed against each of the 7 areas of learning.

This is an individual assessment carried out by the teacher during normal lesson time. The children themselves are not aware of the assessment.
The results of this assessment are fully discussed with parents.

Key Stage 1 and 2

From Year 1 to the end of Year 6 the children are taught according to the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1 and 2. This was changes significantly in 2014. Children are now assessed against new Government expectations and if they are achieving well are said to be working at 'expected standards'.

The National Curriculum is currently made up of 3 core subjects

• English
• Mathematics
• Science

These subjects take up the largest part of the curriculum. In addition, there are six foundation subjects:

• Design and Technology
• History
• Geography
• Art and Design
• Music
• Physical Education
• Computing
• Languages

At the end of Years 2 & 6 children’s progress in Reading, Writing, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar and Mathematics is assessed through a series of tests known as SATs. These results are reported to parents together with comparative information.

Our school has developed a curriculum which encompasses the statutory requirements of the 2014 curriculum alongside key skills and is led by four key drivers. These drivers were decided upon through consultation with all staff, and children at the time. These are non-negotiable aspects of every theme or topic delivered across the year.

• Knowledge and Understanding of the world
• Creative Development
• Communities and Rights Respecting School.
• Personal, social and emotional development.

Cornerstones Curriculum

While Mathematics and English skills are taught discretely, most other subjects are taught through an Imaginative Learning Project (ILP) using the Cornerstones approach.
Each ILP has a theme and specific subjects as a main focus. Teaching and learning takes place using the following structure:
Engage: This stage provides the children with a memorable experience on which to contextualise their future learning. The memorable experience may involve an educational visit, having visitors in school, handling objects or taking part in an activity that engages all of the senses.
Develop: During this stage, deep teaching and learning of new concepts takes place.
Innovate: The children are presented with a problem, challenge or provocation which they have to apply their skills and new learning to in order to solve it.
Express: This is an opportunity to share what has been learned to a wider audience within school and the community.

Where possible, all learning takes place within the context of the Imaginative Learning Project and many of the children's writing tasks are linked to this.

For further information on the Cornerstones approach, please visit:
http://www.cornerstoneseducation.co.uk/


Religious Education is also taught to all children. Our teaching is of a broadly Christian nature but includes other main faiths especially as children journey through Key Stage 2. Great emphasis is placed on children’s personal, moral and spiritual development and understanding. Any parent wishing to withdraw their child from Religious Education should contact the Headteacher. The document follows the new Agreed Syllabus created by teachers and advisors within Redcar and Cleveland which aligns with the new advice in the National Curriculum.

Sex and Relationships Education is taught as part of our policy for Personal, Social and Health Education. Information is given in an honest and simple manner appropriate to the age and maturity of the children with a particular focus on moral considerations and the value of family life.

Physical Education is an important part of the curriculum we offer all children. The P.E. curriculum includes gymnastics, dance, outdoor activities, swimming, athletics and games. All children will learn the skills of football, netball, hockey, rounders, tennis and cricket.

The school holds the Activemark award, a national award which recognises the school’s commitment to PE and activity.In addition, Children within the EYFS have access to a separate outdoor area to encourage continuous outdoor provision. Children have the opportunity to take part in sporting clubs run by staff and coaches after school. The school takes part in a range of competitive sporting events in the local area. Although all teachers in the school are qualified to teach P.E., some have specific coaching qualifications.

If you would like to find out more about our curriculum and what your child will be learning, please feel free to pop in and see the class teacher, refer to the weekly newsletter or click to see the year group overview for your child’s year.