Our Curriculum
At Thorn Grove, our curriculum is designed with a clear intent to provide our pupils with a broad and balanced education that not only meets the requirements of the National Curriculum but develops well rounded individuals, prepared with the skills needed to thrive in the wider world.
Our curriculum intent is centred around three key principles:
- High Aspirations: We have high expectations for all our pupils, and our curriculum is designed to foster a love for learning, develop intellectual curiosity, and encourage pupils to aim for personal excellence.
- Meaningful Learning: We believe that learning should be purposeful and relevant to pupils' lives. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure that it is engaging, inclusive, and reflects the diversity of our school community.
- Personal Development: We are committed to supporting the holistic development of our pupils, promoting their personal, social, moral, spiritual, and cultural development, as well as their physical and mental well-being.
Our curriculum provides a range of learning experiences across a wide range of subjects. We follow the National Curriculum, ensuring coverage of all subject areas, and we integrate independent thinking, problem-solving, and critical analysis skills throughout.
Our learning begins with a child centred, holistic approach to early years teaching. Its aim is to provide a strong foundation for pupils’ future learning and development as confident, enthusiastic and independent learners.
The curriculum takes into account the individual's needs and interests and is flexible to support different learning styles and experiences. Play is essential in our early years setting providing a purposeful context for learning, encouraging active engagement. The importance of reading and immersion in quality texts as a vehicle for topic-based learning plays a vital role in our practice.
Every subject in our curriculum has a clear learning progression, allowing pupils to build on their knowledge and skills incrementally. We ensure that prior learning is reviewed, and connections are made to new concepts, ensuring a seamless and cohesive educational experience.
We actively promote cross-curricular links to enhance the learning experiences of our students. By making connections between subjects, we help our pupils see the relevance and application of their learning across different aspects of their education and daily lives.
Our curriculum encompasses a range of enriching experiences, including educational visits, guest speakers, and practical hands-on learning. These opportunities enable pupils to develop their understanding beyond the classroom, fostering a deeper engagement with the subjects they study.
We have a strong commitment to inclusion and ensure that our curriculum is accessible to all pupils, regardless of their background, ability, or individual needs. We provide appropriate support and adaptive teaching strategies to ensure that all learners can access and make the best progress in their learning.
Our curriculum embraces the cultural diversity of our school community and the wider world. We celebrate different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, ensuring that our pupils develop an understanding and appreciation of the multicultural and ever developing society in which they live.
We employ a range of formative and summative assessment strategies to gather evidence of pupils' progress and inform our teaching. Regular teacher assessment is used to provide constructive feedback that supports pupils in their learning, enabling them to understand their next steps and set ambitious targets.