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Curriculum

North Downs School is situated across three sites in three different villages, and we maintain a strong emphasis on parity across sites and year groups. In order to achieve this, our curriculum is delivered through a thematic approach across all key stages.

It is important that our curriculum for Key Stage 1 builds on the child-initiated ethos of the Early Years Foundation Stage principles. Pupils should be active partners in developing the curriculum. Their questions, interests and ideas are therefore utilised to develop and enhance planned learning experiences. Throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches and styles are used to promote pupil engagement with the curriculum. Staff regularly utilise a range of high-quality resources to encourage independent learning and inspire pupils.

We are very fortunate to have extensive school grounds situated in the three beautiful villages. An emphasis is placed on learning outside the classroom (LOtC), our curriculum has been designed, and grounds developed, in order to utilise them creatively. Areas have been developed into outdoor learning spaces for classes to use, enabling children to have the outside environment as a context for learning. LOtC is linked to each of the themes and topics covered across the school, with the children completing an Outdoor Learning passport during their time at North Downs.

As part of the process of designing the curriculum for each half-term, staff will consider how our school values of Responsibility, Kindness, Collaboration, Determination, Creativity and Trust incorporated into and lived out through the teaching and learning.

WHAT DO WE WANT OUR CURRICULUM TO DELIVER FOR OUR PUPILS?

  • Learning which is interesting and purposeful to them
  • Teaching which shows them what good looks like
  • Demonstrate that there are different ways learning can be acquired
  • An engagement with learning
  • Skills/Attitudes/Knowledge, built on each year.

HOW DO WE WANT TO DO THIS?

  • By probing their understanding through effective questioning
  • By creating a culture which celebrates success
  • By assessing, evaluating and observing
  • By consistently demonstrating high expectations for all
  • By encouraging positive relationships
  • By ensuring we are always ahead of the problem

WHY DO WE WANT THIS FOR OUR PUPILS?

  • To empower the children to take control over their learning
  • To enable them to make effective and right choices
  • To encourage their independence
  • To enable the children to move themselves forward
  • To motivate them to succeed
  • To help them understand the way knowledge is acquired and the affect it has on us

For further information about our curriculum, please click on the 'Topic and Subject Information' link. Alternatively please contact the school via: info@northdowns.surrey.sch.uk