Curriculum Statement

Take pride in our differences & celebrate our similarities.

An outward-facing curriculum

Curriculum rationale (why our curriculum is what it is)

At Horsendale, we want our children to be the best version of themselves.

We strive for our children to be self-confident, resilient individuals who are aspirational about their place in the world.  We want our children to take pride in their differences and celebrate their similarities through an ethos of respect for all.

We aim to deliver an ambitious, sequenced and cumulative curriculum that gives our children a wealth of knowledge, skills and a passport of broad experiences – all of which enable our children to be outward-facing, rich in cultural capital and ultimately, ready to embark on their life-long journey into the wider world.

The core of our curriculum (what our curriculum is)

For our rationale to become reality we have created an outward-facing curriculum which encourages our children to look beyond the self: a curriculum which provides a genuine purpose for learning in which both children and staff are excited to take risks and innovate.  We provide learning opportunities which present us with a real sense of challenge and require from us the resilience needed in order for us to enjoy the pride brought about by success.  We believe that through developing these life-long skills we will equip our children well for the diverse and ever-changing world we live in.

The structure of our curriculum

The structure of our curriculum is built around 8 core features:

1. Outward-facing
2. Links & connections (curriculum cohesion through a themed approach)
3. Text driven
4. Genuine purpose for learning (usually driven by the children's ideas and in response to current affairs)
5. Outdoor learning: promoted through the use of our school grounds and our local community
6. Innovation
7. Life-long skills (a termly focus on an age-appropriate skill)
8. High challenge, low threat: recognising that aspirations are unique and personal to the individual and should be treated as such.

What does your child learn at school each day?

In addition to English and Mathematics, children are taught to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in Science, Computing, History, Geography, Design Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education.  In Phonics, we use Letters and Sounds - follow the link to the scheme by clicking here.  Additionally, French is taught in Key Stage 2 (Y3 - 6).

PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) forms an integral part of our curriculum.  It helps to give our children the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives, and to become informed, responsible, active citizens.  The D.A.R.E. project in Year 6 further promotes our PSHE work.  And, all of this, promotes our SMSC and British Values curriculum.

To find out more about the curriculum your child is following please see the below:

• Refer to the school Prospectus which can be found in the Key Information section of the website
• Refer to the Curriculum Booklets issued by the class teacher on a termly or half-termly basis (available on the links below and in the Parents/Useful Information section)
• Click on the links below to see the whole school Curriculum Map and how the school teaches British Values
• Follow the link to the Primary National Curriculum by clicking here
• Speak to your child’s class teacher.