Rationale behind our curriculum
- Our curriculum gives our pupils the life skills and values they will need to give them the best possible chance in their post-school lives.
- Our curriculum is driven by our 4Rs so that our pupils are taught in as many ways as possible about what respect, resilience, responsibility and relationships are all about and how to achieve them.
Curriculum Drivers
- Our 4Rs – Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Relationships
- Subjects
- Speaking and Listening and the acquisition of vocabulary
Engaging topic and relevant angles
- Inspirational People- Role Models and Aspirations
- Creative Enterprise – Entrepreneurs of the future
- Time Travel through the ages – It’s still relevant
- Do your bit – How understanding can lead to change
- We are family – Family life through the ages
- Just keep swimming – Supporting the work of UNICEF
- Some non-core subjects are taught discretely and links reinforced through topics.
Core Questions
- Each half term, every class works towards answering the same three Core Questions that link to the 4R drivers of that topic. This aims to deepen the knowledge and understanding year on year.
Progression of Skills
- Each child has their own electronic copy to document the progression of the skills they acquire.
- This record follows them throughout their time at Eslington; clearly evidencing where each child is working at in every non – core subject of the National Curriculum.
Evidence
Throughout the topic, staff and pupils work together to document the learning journey they have been on.
Each subject has a book that follows the child through each year group to show progress throughout their time at Eslington.
A portfolio is developed, becoming a reference point for the children; they can return to them time and time again to help them remember and consolidate their learning.
Impact and Enrichment Days
- Each half term, two class teams come together to plan an Enrichment Day to enhance the topic and 4R drivers of that term.
- Pupils come off timetable and submerge themselves in a wide range of practical learning opportunities to deepen their understanding.
- For example, during the Enrichment Day, linked to Inspirational People, children recognised the importance of Marcus Rashford’s work for children like them. They earnt their own respect by helping him with his cause; they made adverts to request donations to food banks so that no child every has to go hungry.
Life Skills Passports
- During their time at Eslington, pupils work hard to earn badges/stickers for their Life Skills Passport
- Children often come to Eslington without the basics, such as being able to dress themselves, use cutlery, or take care of their personal hygiene.
- Children set their own targets for which badge they want to achieve, and staff support them on their journey.
- Badges get progressively more ambitious to help prepare our pupils for post-school life.
If you would like to know more about the curriculum our school is following please see our curriculum section or contact the school office.