Curriculum

Our Curriculum

At Clarendon Federation, we believe that every child deserves an ambitious, engaging and inclusive curriculum that inspires curiosity, builds confidence and equips them with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to succeed.

Our curriculum is underpinned by our aspiration to take children “always a little further”. We want every child to recognise their own potential, develop a love of learning and become confident, independent learners who are well prepared for the next phase of their education.

Intent

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Build strong foundations in reading, writing, mathematics and other essential skills, enabling children to become confident and successful learners.
• Develop knowledge and vocabulary so that children can make meaningful connections between different areas of learning.
• Inspire curiosity and encourage children to ask questions, investigate, explore and think critically.
• Provide challenge and high expectations for all children, while ensuring that learning is accessible and appropriately adapted to meet individual needs.
• Develop independence and resilience, encouraging children to persevere, learn from mistakes and take increasing responsibility for their learning.
• Promote creativity and self-expression through a rich range of experiences across the curriculum.
• Develop the whole child, including their personal, social, emotional and physical development.
• Celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, helping children understand and respect themselves, others and the wider world.
• Prepare children for their next stage of learning and life, giving them the knowledge, skills and positive attitudes they need to flourish.

Our Clarendon Promise – Be Kind, Never Give Up, Be Curious, Be Respectful, Be a Team Player and Be Brilliant – is woven throughout our curriculum and school life. These values help children develop the character, attitudes and behaviours that support successful learning.

Implementation

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children build on what they already know and can apply their learning in increasingly sophisticated ways. Teachers identify the essential knowledge, vocabulary and skills that children need to acquire and revisit these regularly to support long-term learning.

We place a particular emphasis on foundational skills, recognising that secure foundations enable children to access the wider curriculum with confidence. Reading, writing, oracy and mathematics are developed systematically, alongside the knowledge and skills within each subject.

Teaching is delivered through a range of approaches appropriate to the age, stage and needs of our children. These include:

• Explicit teaching and modelling of new knowledge and skills.
• Opportunities for children to practise, apply and consolidate their learning.
• Carefully planned questioning and discussion to develop thinking and oracy.
• Vocabulary development across all areas of the curriculum.
• Opportunities to make connections between subjects and prior learning.
• Practical, creative and purposeful experiences.
• Continuous provision and carefully planned enhancements in the Early Years and Key Stage 1.
• Adaptations and appropriate support to ensure that all children can access ambitious learning.
• Opportunities for children to work collaboratively and develop independence.
• Regular assessment to identify strengths, gaps and next steps in learning.

In the Early Years and Key Stage 1, children benefit from a balance of direct teaching and purposeful continuous provision, allowing them to develop knowledge and skills while also having opportunities to explore, investigate and apply their learning through play and meaningful experiences.

Teachers use assessment information to inform planning and ensure that learning is responsive to children's needs. Children are given opportunities to revisit and retrieve important knowledge so that learning is retained and can be applied in new contexts.

Our curriculum is enriched through visitors, trips, special events, practical experiences, the arts, sport and opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. These experiences help children develop a broader understanding of the world and create memorable learning experiences.

Impact

We want the impact of our curriculum to be seen in children who:

• Have secure foundational knowledge and skills and can apply these confidently across the curriculum.
• Read fluently and develop a genuine enjoyment of reading.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, using an increasingly rich vocabulary.
• Write with increasing independence, accuracy and purpose.
• Apply their mathematical knowledge and reasoning to solve problems.
• Remember and use important knowledge over time.
• Make connections between different areas of learning.
• Demonstrate curiosity, resilience and a willingness to learn.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Know how to learn, reflect on their progress and respond positively to feedback.
• Demonstrate the values of the Clarendon Promise in their everyday behaviour and interactions.
• Understand and respect the world around them.
• Are increasingly confident in managing themselves and their learning.
• Are well prepared academically, socially and emotionally for the next phase of their education.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through a combination of assessment, pupil voice, work scrutiny, lesson visits, moderation, progress information and discussions with staff and families. We use this information to identify strengths, address gaps and continually refine our curriculum and teaching.

Ultimately, our aim is for every child to leave Clarendon as a confident, curious and independent learner, equipped with the foundational knowledge, skills and positive attitudes they need to take their next steps with confidence.

At Clarendon Federation, we strive to take every child “always a little further”.