A Message from our Curriculum Leader

“At Tollerton, we believe that every child deserves a curriculum that inspires curiosity, builds confidence and prepares them for the future. Our curriculum has been carefully designed to provide children with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

We are passionate about creating meaningful learning opportunities that help children make sense of the world around them. Through engaging lessons, rich discussions and memorable experiences, we encourage children to ask questions, think critically and develop a love of learning that stays with them throughout their lives.

Reading sits at the heart of our curriculum because we know it unlocks access to all areas of learning. Alongside this, we place great importance on developing children’s vocabulary, communication skills and understanding of the wider world. We want our pupils to become confident learners who can make connections between subjects and apply their knowledge in new and exciting ways.

We believe that every child should be able to access, engage with and succeed in their learning. Our teachers carefully adapt lessons to meet the needs of all pupils, providing appropriate support, challenge and scaffolding to enable every child to achieve their potential. We recognise that children learn in different ways and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where pupils, including those with additional needs, feel supported, valued and successful.

We are equally committed to ensuring our curriculum reflects the diverse world in which we live. Through carefully selected texts, resources, learning experiences and discussions, children are introduced to a wide range of cultures, perspectives, experiences and achievements. This helps pupils develop respect, empathy and an appreciation of both their own identity and the identities of others.

Developing children’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding is an important part of life at Tollerton. Through our curriculum, assemblies, educational visits, enrichment opportunities and wider school experiences, we encourage children to reflect on their values, understand their responsibilities, celebrate differences and develop as thoughtful, respectful members of society.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that learning builds over time. We ensure children have secure foundations before moving on to new concepts, helping them to develop confidence and achieve success at every stage. Through high expectations, supportive teaching and enriching experiences, we aim to nurture well-rounded individuals who are ready for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

Ultimately, we want every child to leave our school with a wealth of knowledge, a sense of belonging, a curiosity about the world and the confidence to make a positive contribution to their community.”

– Luci Gordon, Curriculum Leader

 

Our Curriculum

We provide a broad, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum while reflecting the unique needs and interests of our children and community.

Our curriculum includes the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, alongside a wide range of foundation subjects including History, Geography, Art and Design, Computing, Music, Physical Education and French, as well as Religious Education, Health Education and PSHE/RSHE.

Each subject is carefully planned and taught discretely, allowing children to develop a secure understanding of the key knowledge, concepts and skills that are unique to that discipline. We believe that this enables children to think and work like experts within each subject, applying what they have learned with increasing confidence and independence.

Building Knowledge for the Future

We believe that knowledge provides the foundation for successful learning. Our curriculum is designed to ensure that children develop a deep understanding of important concepts while making meaningful connections between new and prior learning.

Learning is carefully sequenced so that knowledge and skills are introduced, revisited and strengthened over time. Teachers use progression documents and subject-specific curriculum plans to ensure learning builds logically from one year group to the next.

To support long-term learning, children regularly revisit previously taught content through retrieval activities and knowledge organisers. This helps them retain key information, strengthen memory and apply their learning across different contexts.

Developing Curious and Confident Learners

We want learning to be engaging, relevant and memorable. Across the curriculum, children are encouraged to investigate, question, discuss and explore new ideas.

Subjects such as History and Geography are taught through the lens of a historian or geographer, helping children develop disciplinary thinking and understand how knowledge is created within different fields of study. This approach encourages pupils to think critically, evaluate evidence and deepen their understanding of the world.

Vocabulary development, communication and oracy are woven throughout all areas of learning. Children are given opportunities to explain their thinking, discuss their ideas and learn collaboratively, helping them become effective communicators and confident learners.

Enriching Learning Beyond the Classroom

We believe that some of the most powerful learning happens through first-hand experiences.

To enhance our curriculum, we provide a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including:

  • Educational visits and residential experiences
  • Visitors and specialist workshops
  • Sporting events and competitions
  • Clubs and extracurricular activities
  • Theme days and curriculum celebrations
  • Opportunities to engage with local, national and global communities

These experiences help children develop their cultural capital, broaden their horizons and bring classroom learning to life.

Assessment for Learning

Assessment is an integral part of our curriculum. Teachers continuously assess children’s understanding to identify strengths, address misconceptions and plan the next steps in learning.

Through a combination of day-to-day formative assessment and more formal assessments, we ensure that children are supported, challenged and able to make strong progress. Our approach enables us to identify gaps in understanding early and provide the support needed for every child to succeed.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Our curriculum journey begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage, where children learn through a balance of carefully planned experiences, purposeful play and direct teaching.

We have thoughtfully designed our Early Years curriculum so that it lays the foundations for future learning across the school. The knowledge, skills and experiences children gain in Reception prepare them for a successful transition into Key Stage One and beyond.

The EYFS curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning:

Prime Areas

  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

The Prime Areas underpin all future learning and are given particular importance during children’s earliest experiences in school. Through rich language opportunities, exploration, play and meaningful interactions, we ensure children develop the confidence, resilience and independence needed to flourish throughout their education.