Curriculum intent

At Medstead CE Primary School, we aim to make every day full of wonder, challenge and enjoyment, helping children to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need for the future.

Every child at Medstead is recognised and valued as a unique individual. We celebrate diversity and strive to create a caring, inclusive environment where all children feel safe, supported and able to thrive. Learning is underpinned by the teaching of key knowledge, skills and concepts, enabling children to make connections in their learning and deepen their understanding. We provide opportunities for pupils to become independent, confident and resilient learners who have high aspirations and understand their role within the school and wider community.

As a Church of England school, we place importance on children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development alongside their academic achievement. Through our curriculum, collective worship and wider school experiences, children are encouraged to reflect on their values, develop respect for others and understand the importance of kindness, service and responsibility. British Values and Christian Values are woven throughout school life, helping pupils to become thoughtful and responsible citizens.

Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure progression and broad coverage across all subjects. It provides memorable learning experiences and opportunities for children to develop a wide range of transferable skills. We make use of our local community, heritage and traditions to enrich learning and help children understand their place in the world. Community involvement is an important part of school life, and pupils are encouraged to participate in a range of sporting, artistic, cultural and charitable activities throughout the year.

Our Christian Values of Trust, Courage, Hope and Resilience underpin all aspects of school life and are embedded within our curriculum. We place a strong emphasis on reading, writing and mathematics, ensuring children develop the essential skills needed to access a broad and balanced curriculum. Alongside this, we encourage pupils to be curious, reflective and ambitious learners who are prepared to contribute positively to society.

By the time they leave Medstead CE Primary School, we want children to have a strong sense of belonging, confidence in their abilities, and the knowledge, skills and values needed to continue their learning journey and make a positive difference in the world around them.

The implementation of our curriculum

At Medstead CE Primary School, our curriculum is delivered through the requirements of the National Curriculum, enhanced by a wide range of enriching experiences and opportunities that reflect our Christian vision, values and the needs of our pupils. Our curriculum is carefully planned, regularly reviewed and continually developed to engage children in meaningful and inspiring learning. It is designed to ensure clear progression, secure subject knowledge and the development of transferable skills, enabling children to build upon prior learning, make connections and deepen their understanding over time.

As a Church of England school, our curriculum reflects our commitment to educating the whole child. Alongside academic achievement, we place great importance on children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Through learning, collective worship, reflection and opportunities to serve others, pupils are encouraged to develop an understanding of themselves, their place in the world and the values that help them flourish as individuals and members of society.

We recognise that children join our school with a wide range of experiences, strengths and abilities, and we build upon these to support every child to achieve their full potential. Learning journeys are designed to be engaging, enjoyable and motivating, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

For children to thrive, it is essential that they feel happy, safe and valued. We are proud to provide a highly inclusive learning environment where all pupils are valued and supported to flourish. Through our specialist Resource Provision for Deaf Children, we ensure that deaf pupils can fully participate in all aspects of school life and the curriculum, enabling every child to develop confidence, achieve their potential and experience a deep sense of belonging within our school community. Through specialist teaching, targeted support, appropriate adaptations and close collaboration between staff, children are equipped to participate fully, develop confidence and achieve their individual potential. The inclusive practice that underpins our Resourced Provision enriches the whole school community, promoting understanding, empathy and respect for difference.

Our curriculum is adapted where necessary to meet the needs of all learners. Children who require additional support receive timely interventions and carefully planned provision, while those who are ready for further challenge are encouraged to deepen their thinking and extend their learning. We believe that every child should experience success and make progress through teaching and learning that recognises and responds to their individual needs.

We celebrate the diversity, talents and experiences within our school and wider community. Learning is enriched through local links and opportunities to engage with the world around us, whether through visits to our parish church, exploring the local area, working with community organisations or responding to national and global events. These experiences help children develop a sense of belonging, responsibility and understanding of the diverse society in which they live.

We aim to provide memorable learning experiences that remain with children long after they leave primary school. Our curriculum is enhanced through educational visits, residential opportunities, workshops, visitors, performances and participation in sporting, cultural and artistic events. We believe that these experiences bring learning to life, broaden horizons and inspire children to discover new interests and talents.

By providing a rich, broad and inclusive curriculum, rooted in our Christian values of Trust, Courage, Hope and Resilience, we seek to develop confident learners who enjoy school, value their community and are well prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.

The Impact of Our Curriculum

"When considering impact, the question that needs to be asked is whether our pupils have learnt what they have been taught and how do we know?"

Mary Myatt (2024), Thinking about Curriculum Impact

At Medstead CE Primary School, we believe that a well-designed and effectively taught curriculum enables all children to make strong progress, flourish as individuals and achieve their potential. The impact of our curriculum is seen in the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils acquire and retain over time, as well as in the confidence, curiosity and resilience they demonstrate as learners.

We use a range of evidence to evaluate whether our curriculum is achieving its intended outcomes. We consider whether children know more, remember more and can do more as a result of their learning. This includes reviewing children's work, talking to pupils about their learning, gathering feedback from teachers and subject leaders, and carrying out learning walks to observe the curriculum in action. Through these processes, we evaluate how effectively knowledge and skills are being developed, built upon and connected across subjects.

Assessment plays an important role in understanding the impact of our curriculum. Teachers use ongoing formative assessment to identify strengths, address misconceptions and adapt teaching to meet pupils' needs. Summative assessments are used alongside statutory assessments, including the Reception Baseline Assessment in Year R, the Phonics Screening Check, the Year 4 Multiplication Tables Check and Key Stage 2 assessments, to monitor progress and attainment. These outcomes help us to evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum and inform future developments.

As a Church of England school, we also consider the wider impact of our curriculum on children's personal development. Through our Christian values of Trust, Courage, Hope and Resilience, we seek to nurture children who are respectful, compassionate and responsible members of society. The impact of our curriculum is therefore reflected not only in academic achievement but also in pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, their sense of belonging within the school community and their readiness for the next stage of education.

We want our children to leave Medstead CE Primary School as confident, knowledgeable and thoughtful young people who have developed a love of learning, a strong sense of self-worth and the skills and values needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Curriculum subjects

The National Curriculum sets out the knowledge, skills and understanding that all children are entitled to learn during their primary education. At Medstead CE Primary School, we provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that inspires curiosity, nurtures creativity and equips children with the foundations they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

This Long Term Plan provides an overview of the learning that takes place across the school throughout the academic year. It shows how subjects are organised and developed progressively as children move through the school.

For more detailed information about what is taught in each subject, please explore the subject pages below. These pages explain our curriculum intent, the content and objectives covered, and how each subject is taught at Medstead CE Primary School.

You can find out more about the National Curriculum for primary schools by reading the Department for Education's National Curriculum Framework document: National Curriculum in England: Primary Curriculum Framework