Curriculum Overview
The School’s Curriculum Aims
We want our children to love learning and to see that it plays the most important part in their futures. The school is committed to engaging parents in partnerships and encourages parents to take an active role in supporting their child’s learning at home as well as in school.
Our curriculum builds on pupils’ strengths, interests and experiences through our ‘Learning Challenge Curriculum’ and is designed to develop children’s confidence to learn and work both independently and collaboratively with others. Skills, knowledge and concepts run through our curriculum from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 6.
Whatever a child’s starting point when they arrive at Arbourthorne, we aim to teach children the essential skills in reading and writing and teach a breadth of subjects. Getting children reading is crucial and this is our focus in school. Your child will take home a reading book each night and we encourage you to take an active role in getting them reading every day.
Children in our school have the opportunity to explore the Arts such as film, theatre, dance, music and the visual arts. We have an artist in residence that enriches the curriculum in school.
The curriculum promotes pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) and in particular, principles for distinguishing between right and wrong. It develops their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their own and others’ beliefs and cultures, and how these influence individuals and societies. It promotes equal opportunities and enables children to challenge discrimination and stereotyping. It develops an awareness, understanding and respect for the environment beginning with the school grounds and extending to the world beyond.
The school’s curriculum promotes pupil’s self-esteem and emotional well-being, based on respect for themselves and others at home, within school and the community. It prepares them for the next steps in their education, training and employment. The personal development of children, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant role in their ability to learn and achieve.
