At Aldermaston C.E. Primary School, our curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision:
“Life in all its fullness” – John 10:10
We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to nurture their talents, grow in knowledge and character, and thrive as confident, compassionate and curious individuals.
Our curriculum is therefore about much more than acquiring knowledge. We want our children to become enthusiastic readers, writers, mathematicians, scientists, historians, geographers, artists, designers, musicians, linguists, theologians, computer scientists and sportspeople.
Our three school values of Curiosity, Compassion and Courage are woven throughout our curriculum and shape the learners we want our children to become.
Curiosity
We encourage children to ask questions, investigate, explore, wonder and make connections. We want children to be excited by learning and motivated to find out more about themselves, other people and the wider world.
Compassion
We teach children to listen to and value others, respect different cultures, beliefs and viewpoints, work collaboratively and recognise the impact their actions can have on others and the world around them.
Courage
We encourage children to persevere, take appropriate risks, learn from mistakes, challenge their thinking and confidently share their ideas. Children learn that success often comes through practice, resilience and a willingness to try again.
These values are not taught in isolation. They are deliberately brought to life through the subjects children study and the experiences we provide throughout their time at Aldermaston.
Curriculum Intent
Our intent is to provide an ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced curriculum which enables every child to flourish.
We aim to:
- provide all pupils with the essential knowledge and skills they need for future learning and life;
- develop secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics;
- build pupils' knowledge progressively so that new learning connects meaningfully with what they already know;
- develop rich vocabulary and confident communication across the curriculum;
- inspire curiosity and a genuine love of learning;
- provide opportunities for children to investigate, question, create, debate, solve problems and think deeply;
- ensure pupils understand and appreciate different cultures, beliefs, communities and perspectives;
- develop independence, resilience and confidence;
- ensure pupils with SEND and those who may experience disadvantage are able to access and succeed within an ambitious curriculum;
- make meaningful connections with our local community, our Christian foundation and the wider world; and
- prepare children for the next stage of their education and for life in all its fullness.
We want children to leave Aldermaston not simply having covered a curriculum, but knowing more, remembering more, being able to do more and understanding themselves as learners.
Curriculum Implementation
Our curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced so that knowledge and skills build progressively from children's earliest experiences in EYFS through to Year 6.
Teachers identify the key knowledge, vocabulary and skills that pupils need to learn and provide opportunities for children to revisit and apply previous learning. Regular assessment enables teachers to identify what children have understood, address misconceptions and adapt teaching appropriately.
We use high-quality, carefully selected curriculum programmes to provide consistency, progression and strong subject knowledge across the school.
These include:
Phonics and Reading – Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised
Writing – Pathways to Write
Mathematics – White Rose Maths
Science – Kapow Primary
History – Kapow Primary
Geography – Kapow Primary
Computing – Kapow Primary
Art and Design – Kapow Primary
Design and Technology – Kapow Primary
Music – Kapow Primary
French – Kapow Primary
PSHE – Kapow Primary
Physical Education – Twinkl PE
These programmes provide the structure and progression for our curriculum, while teachers bring learning to life through high-quality teaching, discussion, practical experiences, carefully chosen texts, local links, enrichment opportunities and responsive adaptation.
Reading sits at the heart of our curriculum. We recognise that the ability to read fluently and confidently unlocks learning across every subject, and we are committed to developing both skilled readers and children who develop a lifelong love of reading.
Across all subjects, we explicitly teach vocabulary and encourage pupils to think and behave like subject specialists. Children learn what it means to be a scientist, historian, geographer, artist, writer or theologian, for example, while demonstrating our values of Curiosity, Compassion and Courage.
Curriculum Impact
The impact of our curriculum can be seen in what our children know, remember, understand and can do.
We want pupils to:
- remember important knowledge and make connections between previous and new learning;
- use increasingly sophisticated subject-specific vocabulary;
- apply their knowledge and skills independently;
- talk confidently about what they have learned;
- explain their thinking and justify their ideas;
- ask thoughtful questions and demonstrate curiosity;
- persevere when learning is challenging;
- listen respectfully and consider different viewpoints;
- produce work that demonstrates increasing knowledge, skill and pride;
- achieve well from their individual starting points; and
- be well prepared academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually for their next stage of education.
Teachers assess pupils' understanding through questioning, discussion, retrieval of prior learning, observation, children's work and appropriate formative and summative assessment.
Subject leaders monitor the quality and impact of their subjects through activities such as looking at pupils' work, speaking with children, reviewing planning and assessment information and supporting colleagues with curriculum development.
Most importantly, we want our children to recognise themselves as successful learners.
A flourishing learner at Aldermaston is one who is curious enough to explore, compassionate enough to understand others and courageous enough to challenge themselves.
Flourishing Across Our Curriculum
Our vision and values can be seen in every subject.
We ask:
What does a flourishing learner look like at Aldermaston?
A flourishing reader asks questions, discovers new vocabulary, listens to other viewpoints and keeps reading even when texts are challenging.
A flourishing writer develops imaginative ideas, considers their audience, values feedback and has the courage to edit, improve and experiment.
A flourishing scientist wonders why things happen, investigates ideas, works respectfully with others and uses evidence to change or develop their thinking.
A flourishing historian asks questions about the past, considers different sources and perspectives, debates using evidence and learns from the past to help shape the future.
A flourishing geographer is curious about people, places and environments, respects different communities and considers how they can make a positive difference.
A flourishing artist explores materials and creative ideas, appreciates the creativity of others and has the courage to experiment, practise and learn from mistakes.
A flourishing designer and engineer asks how things work, considers the needs of others and sustainability, and continually tests and improves ideas.
A flourishing computer scientist thinks logically, solves problems, uses technology responsibly and safely, and perseveres when debugging or testing solutions.
A flourishing theologian and philosopher asks big questions, explores different religions and worldviews, listens respectfully to others and reflects deeply on their own ideas and beliefs.
Through these experiences, we aim to develop children who are knowledgeable, thoughtful and confident - children who live "life in all it's fullness" (John 10:10).
Explore Our Curriculum
Please select a subject below to find out more about its intent, implementation and impact, alongside our curriculum overview, progression of learning and the experiences pupils receive at Aldermaston C.E. Primary School