At Stoke, we take great pride in crafting a curriculum that truly resonates with our community and children. Our curriculum has been meticulously developed and continually refined to offer our children a high-quality and engaging education. We want our children to be enthusiastic about learning and to develop the skills and knowledge they need for their future beyond Stoke. Our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and as society evolves, so does our curriculum. Our curriculum is never ‘done’. We are dedicated to adapting and refining our content to meet the needs of our children and empower them to achieve their highest potential academically and personally.

We follow the National Curriculum for England which is taught in all local authority maintained schools. A copy of this can be found here The National Curriculum.

Our Key Curriculum Principles

Breadth and Depth

Our children develop knowledge, skills and understanding through a broad and balanced curriculum which fosters their interests and curiosity through a diverse and comprehensive learning journey. The foundation of our curriculum is rooted in children building on their prior knowledge and making connections within their learning across topics. We draw inspiration from cognitive science, ensuring that our approach aligns with how children learn best. As part of our practice, teachers plan in opportunities for children to retrieve prior knowledge in order to further develop and deepen understanding of key concepts.

Our curriculum is built around the National Curriculum objectives and the curriculum content is designed by us, structured to be taught over time. We aim to deepen pupils knowledge of the topic that they are learning about through the acquisition and application of both knowledge and skills. By focusing on teaching over time and subject specific knowledge categories, we strive to make the learning 'stick'. For knowledge to 'stick', it needs to become connected to existing knowledge, and, over time, familiar knowledge (also known as forming a schema). A schema is made up of interconnected webs - the bigger these webs become, the easier it is to acquire related information, make sense of it, and recall it. Using knowledge categories throughout the school supports our pupils in building these schemas around key concepts across different subjects, and ultimately deepening their understanding. With this approach, topics are not taught in isolation, and instead contribute to learning over time, where pupils connect and build on prior knowledge. Each lesson has its own focus and objective, but ultimately contributes to a wider narrative. 

We are proud to incorporate the Characteristics of Effective Learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance into all aspects of our curriculum. These characteristics form the bedrock of our school's learning ethos, permeating every corner of our educational approach. They serve as guiding principles for developing a lifelong love for learning and fostering positive learning attitudes in our children.

Holistic and Bespoke

At Stoke Primary, our curriculum is more than just a set of lessons; it's a pathway to empowerment, growth, and limitless possibilities. Our curriculum is carefully designed to meet the unique needs of each child. We believe in building upon the solid foundations that children bring with them, and we're committed to connecting new knowledge and skills to their interests and experiences.

One of our fundamental goals is to foster a growth mindset in our children. We want children to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and see setbacks as stepping-stones to success. Developing this mindset is woven into the very fabric of our curriculum, alongside the acquisition of knowledge and skills. We believe that to thrive in the modern world, children need more than just facts and figures. They need to develop essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on these skills, ensuring that children leave our school not only with a wealth of knowledge but also with the tools and mindset needed to continue learning and growing as lifelong learners.

Environment

Learning should extend beyond the classroom walls and we make full use of our entire building, outdoor spaces such as forest school, and various learning areas. Teachers plan educational trips within the local community and beyond, broadening our children’s horizons and connecting them with the world around them. Practical activities and resources are commonplace, enabling children to independently access their learning and foster a deeper understanding of concepts. We are ambitious for our children to reach their full potential; our ultimate goal is to equip our children with the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences to become active and responsible citizens in society.

Planning

Our curriculum is carefully mapped out so that each year is an adventure filled with a wide variety of topics that stimulate interest and curiosity. These topics are aligned with the National Curriculum objectives, ensuring a rich and balanced educational experience for all our children. Each topic seeks to engage the children and provide opportunity to increase knowledge, develop basic skills, introduce new concepts, and inspire curiosity. Our curriculum is designed to enable children to make connections within their learning, sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Teachers utilise both formative and summative assessment to inform planning and next steps.

SEND

In our curriculum, a cornerstone principle is inclusivity, ensuring that every child, regardless of their individual starting point, is supported to access and thrive. Our dedicated teachers employ a diverse range of strategies, including creating and utilising In Print materials, hands-on resources, and enriching experiences to cater to various learning styles and abilities. Some children may need additional support with their learning. This may be through focused activities designed to improve key skills, the support of an additional adult in small groups, or scaffolded activities. We work to ensure that children can access the curriculum at an appropriate level, and that they are included in every aspect of day-to-day learning. By employing these strategies, we aim to create a dynamic and supportive learning atmosphere where every child can flourish and reach their full potential, fostering a sense of belonging and success for all pupils. 

Mobility

Stoke has a high level of in year transience.  To support new children, Stoke has a Mobility Pathway.  This robustly assesses children at the point of entry. This process informs the wider staff team of a child’s needs and next steps through red, amber or green routes to enable new children to access and engage with the full curriculum at the first opportunity. Our curriculum champions inclusion and pupils are scaffolded in their learning so that they can achieve, regardless of their starting point. 

Culture

Our school is a tapestry of cultures and religions, and we take immense pride in our diversity. We celebrate alongside our children and their families during significant cultural and religious occasions, such as Diwali, Christmas, Eid, and more. By doing so, we foster an environment of inclusivity, respect, and understanding, where every child feels valued and appreciated for who they are.

If you have any questions about our curriculum at Stoke Primary please contact:

Miss E. Parker

Assistant Headteacher for KS1&2 Curriculum

e.parker@stoke.coventry.sch.uk

02476451724