Wider Curriculum Vision Statement
Curriculum Vision Statement
‘The job of a good curriculum is to inspire teachers, not to instruct them’
Russell Hobby
At Thornton Primary School, our curriculum has been designed with our pupils at its heart. We are proud to serve a diverse community, where a wide range of languages, cultures and experiences enrich school life. We recognise the uniqueness of our pupils and have carefully developed a curriculum that reflects their needs, interests and aspirations, while preparing them for success in an ever-changing world.
Our aim is to provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that develops confident, knowledgeable and independent learners. We want every child to leave Thornton with a love of learning, a sense of curiosity about the world around them and the skills, knowledge and values needed to thrive in the future.
To support high-quality teaching and learning, we use a range of carefully selected schemes of work, developed by subject specialists and educational experts. These provide clear progression in knowledge and skills, ensure full coverage of the National Curriculum and help to reduce teacher workload, allowing teachers to focus on adapting learning to meet the needs of our pupils. While these schemes support our planning, our curriculum remains uniquely Thornton's, enriched through memorable experiences, educational visits, visitors, practical learning opportunities and meaningful links to our local community.
We have purposefully designed a language-rich curriculum that places communication, vocabulary development and oracy at its center. Through first-hand experiences and carefully planned learning opportunities, we seek to broaden children's horizons, deepen their understanding of the world and build their cultural capital. We place equal value on all subjects and believe that the arts, humanities, sport and personal development play a vital role alongside English, mathematics and science in helping children become well-rounded individuals.
As a Gold Rights Respecting School, the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child underpin our curriculum and our wider school culture. We empower children to understand their rights and responsibilities, value the voices of others and contribute positively to their communities. Pupils are encouraged to participate in decision-making through opportunities such as the School Council and are supported to become active, responsible citizens who understand their role in shaping the world around them.
Our curriculum is underpinned by our core values of:
Equality
We celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, ensuring every child feels valued, respected and able to achieve their full potential.
Aspiration
We encourage all children to aim high, challenge themselves and believe in their ability to succeed.
Resilience
We support pupils to persevere through challenges, learn from mistakes and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Teamwork
We foster collaboration, communication and mutual respect, helping children to recognise the value of working together.
Honesty
We nurture integrity, responsibility and reflection, encouraging children to make positive choices and take ownership of their learning.
Through our curriculum, we strive to develop caring, confident and resilient young people who are equipped for life in modern Britain. We want our pupils to understand and appreciate different cultures, faiths and perspectives, while developing the confidence to express their own views thoughtfully and respectfully.
By the time children leave Thornton Primary School, we want them to have acquired the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to be successful in the next stage of their education and beyond. Most importantly, we want them to leave us as curious, aspirational and compassionate individuals who embody our school values and are ready to make a positive contribution to society.
Further Information
Please take a look at our Whole School Curriculum Map, which provides an overview of the wider curriculum coverage across the school.
Class teachers share Knowledge Organisers at the start of each topic to support learning both in school and at home. Further information can be found on our website under the relevant year group pages, where you will find topic overviews, homework projects and curriculum information.