KCSP Curriculum – Statement of Intent

In accordance with KCSP’s shared vision and strategy, our core purpose is focused on a curriculum that is underpinned by Gospel values and in particular by John Chapter 10 Verse 10:

‘I have come that they shall have life and have it to the full.’

We are interpreting the word ‘full’ as abundance, the abundance of a broad and balanced curriculum. This is accompanied by the expectation that all children, regardless of prior attainment, are entitled to a curriculum which has at its heart concepts and big ideas that engender curiosity and creativity, leading to a place of mastery.

In accordance with the statement of intent, we would expect all our schools to offer a curriculum which at least meets the expectations of the National Curriculum in full, is broad and balanced and understands RE as part of the core curriculum. Our expectation is that the work of the school ensures outcomes for our pupils which are ambitious, relevant, prepares the pupils effectively for the next stage of their life.

We offer all our schools the autonomy to decide their own curriculum. The expectation is that the National Curriculum will be covered in full in all schools. Curriculum decisions will be made by individual schools, with support and input as necessary from Area School Improvement Partners and Education Directors.

All schools’ pedagogy must be based on sound research and all curriculum planning is informed and adapted through having access to the best evidenced based research linked to their pupil profile and local context.

If the curriculum is judged to be not sufficiently robust, we will implement specific improvements which might include specific pedagogical approaches or schemes.

Primary Curriculum

In all primary schools the curriculum will teach effective knowledge and skills to enable the pupils to ‘know more, remember more, and do more’. There will be a focus on developing the characteristics of effective learning so that pupils across all year groups acquire the behaviours that they need in order to learn and approach learning with enthusiasm, curiosity and resilience.

Careful curriculum planning will ensure that pupils are presented with meaningful learning opportunities to develop their confidence and independence and support them with being able to use what they have learned and apply it in new situations.

• RE will be taught for at least 10% of curriculum time and follow the precepts of the Religious Education Directory as set out by the Bishops of England and Wales (2023)

• The Early Years curriculum must link clearly to the curriculum of the rest of the school with a clear thread from Early Years to Year 6

• The Early Years curriculum will follow the principles of Early Excellence

• The teaching of reading must be a priority and the Phonics scheme adopted by the school must be an approved DFE curriculum (e.g., Little Wandle, Read Write Inc) which is adhered to consistently and accurately in all year groups.

• Literacy must be a clear focus in all subjects, not just in English, with an emphasis on writing and oracy both of which may be taught through Talk for Writing and Topical Talk approaches.

• The curriculum will always take careful account of enabling SEND and disadvantaged pupil in planning and delivery through Quality First Teaching and the Mainstream Core Standards.

• Maths will take a mastery approach.

• Science will be investigative in approach.

• Foundation subjects must be broad and balanced and offer effective opportunities for; making links across the curriculum, broadening pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world and be effectively assessed against what the pupils are intended to know.

• A modern foreign language must be taught at least in KS2.