Our approach to the curriculum
Using the National Curriculum as our starting point, we have designed a broad and exciting creative curriculum that is real, immersive and purposeful. Foundation subjects are taught through a cross-curricular ‘learning challenge’ approach, each unit culminating in an exciting, purposeful outcome.
Using a challenge-based approach to learning, children build on prior knowledge across the range of foundation subjects. New knowledge is outlined for each learning challenge in Knowledge Organisers. These provide children with a rich sequence of learning which supports their ability to make links and draw conclusions about their learning. There is a high level of collaboration involved, which supports our whole-school approach to metacognition and self-regulation, and to developing language and oracy.
Each term we have a purposeful ‘Hook day’ where the new learning is either launched or enhanced, and pupils are ‘hooked in’ to the learning. This could be in the form of an educational visit, an inspiring visitor, or a curriculum experience.
The children document the learning journey both in a special book and on a board outside their classroom to support retrieval. The Learning Challenge wall in classrooms supports pupils to retrieve new knowledge and make links.
Knowledge is key, and Knowledge Organisers guide teaching and learning, building on prior learning across all subjects. Children have exciting, engaging knowledge organisers in their books to support retrieval and disciplinary vocabulary accumulation. The use of ‘flashback’ retrieval at the start of each lesson gives opportunities for them to make links with prior learning and develop a deeper understanding. Knowledge retrieval is further supported throughout the key stage as part of ‘smart start’ activities on arrival in class, and during the Reading, Writing & PSHE lessons. For example, a year 4 children may be presented with a text relating to ancient Egypt, supporting retrieval of knowledge from their Year 3 learning challenge.
At Devonshire, we continuously develop our teachers’ understanding of pupil development and engagement in lessons. Teachers use strategies of participation in all lessons to increase the number of pupils not only actively participating, but also thinking deeply. This is done with careful planning and preparation of key subject-level questions, alongside pre-prepared strategies to allow them to share ideas, reflect on them and revise their thinking. This approach deepens their thinking and creates more opportunities for collaboration, while embedding essential learning into their long-term memory.
The curriculum is planned to be inclusive of children with SEND, and teachers and subject leaders ensure children are planned for appropriately, based on accurate assessment of their ability and needs.
Subject leaders are experts in their field, ensuring that each subject is planned sequentially, building on prior knowledge. They are supported by professional networks, subject associations and quality CPD to ensure clarity on what we want children to know and understand.
We review the learning challenges each year to ensure they promote equality, diversity and consider our local context.
We have a commitment to providing opportunities for children to build on their cultural capital. Our commitment to the performing arts is enhanced by our achievement of the Gold Artsmark Award and our status as a Music Mark UK school.
We are relentless in seeking effective partnerships that support the wider curriculum. Professional sports coaches provide one lesson a week of PE, and peripatetic music teachers provide high quality whole class music and instrumental teaching in every year group. Currently, all children learn to play both the recorder and ukulele, whilst others also take part in small group or 1:1 lessons with a range of brass and string instruments. We have enjoyed a wide range of partnerships which have provided us with performance experience, such as the Symphony Hall Birmingham, City of Birmingham String Orchestra, the Welsh National Opera, and Saltmine Theatre company.
We have developed excellent links with local secondary schools, which help to support our curriculum offer, pupil aspirations and transition. Collaborations have brought opportunity for watching performances, basketball and trampolining coaching, science lessons and drama workshops.
Extra-curricular clubs include sports, art, cooking, science, singing, DT and football, as well as opportunities to complete and have support with homework. We have a full RHE/PSHE provision which can be viewed in our PSHE policy
For any more information about our curriculum, please contact the class teachers, you can also see Victoria Academies Trust Approach to Learning