Curriculum

The National Curriculum provides all children with an introduction to the knowledge and skills that they need to be independent learners and educated citizens.

The National Curriculum is the basis of the education of every child. Around this foundation, teachers can develop exciting and challenging lessons to promote the holistic development of pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills as part of our broad, balanced, creative and active school curriculum. Our curriculum is mastery-based and provides children with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to develop into well-rounded, informed individuals. At the heart of our curriculum is the premise that all students are able to learn and are capable of being successful and making progress.

Our curriculum is built on high expectations and is rigorous to undertake. It is ambitious and builds on previous learning experience and aims to provide (and when needed it is adapted) to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the knowledge and skills they need to progress and succeed in life.

Below you will find our Curriculum Statement, Curriculum Rationale, curriculum overviews for each year group and skills progressions for all subjects - these are our own models for curriculum and skills progression developed in close partnership with TT Education. They stem from an agreed vision and core school values.

Please note that:

• Planning is based on the National Curriculum

• At Groombridge St Thomas we use Sounds Write phonics and reading programme

• The charts are divided into discrete subject areas purely for demonstration purposes - topics are linked where possible in medium term planning

• The school is free to decide on topics so long as the programme of study is covered across the course of the year

• 2020-21 the school is implementing a RECOVERY CURRICULUM post lock down and to promote wellbeing in any future lock downs

• Children have a voice in our curriculum and we are flexible to incorporate their ideas and the flow of learning journies

'If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn no one can stop you.'

(ZIG ZIGLAR, 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER)