Curriculum

This is captured in our  ‘Vision’ statement.

Our curriculum places learners at the heart of their own education. At its core are four fundamental skills. These skills reflect and recognise the lifelong nature of education and learning. They:

• recognise the need for all children and young people to know themselves as individuals and to develop their relationships with others, in families and in communities
• recognise the knowledge, skills and attributes that children and young people need to acquire to thrive in our interconnected, digital and rapidly changing world
• enable children and young people to be democratic citizens and active shapers of that world

We want to raise future generations of skilled and independent learners who can take responsibility for their own education and maximise their potential. As a Faith School we also wish for our children to find strength through their own spirituality and beliefs, which in turn will empower them as courageous advocates, giving voice to the voiceless with a loving, servant heart. The starting and ending point of our curriculum is a poem by Nicolette Sowder.

Our ‘hook’ ‘line’ and ‘sinker’ approach enables teachers to work with children thus moulding the journey of learning to follow their interests, whilst covering the knowledge requirements of the National Curriculum.

Learning is launched through a week if immersive ‘hands on’ experiences which will be memorable throughout the ‘line of learning’ and act as a recall point for ‘sinker week’. During ‘hook week’ staff will share areas to be covered and children will work with teachers as their terms plan evolves. Hook week provides a forum for prior exposure/pre teaching of the rich language and vocabulary which the children will be exposed to throughout the topic.

Are smiles enough? coupled with laughter, secure friendship bonds, the ability to praise and be praised, a love of learning and a passion for reading, readiness for life and love of life itself?

At Tunstall CEP we measure the impact of our Curriculum through smiles and the development of our children as successful learners, who are responsible, confident and have the communication and leadership skills to be team players. We use data systems and termly pupil progress meetings to strategically track our children’s attainment and progress ensuring timely intervention and support for all pupils. Our expectations are unequivocally high, but they are not about pressure of results and narrowing of the curriculum to demonstrate National excellence. They are about believing the best in every child and wanting to support them to attain their God given potential. 

Our curriculum enables pupils to gain the broadest understanding of the world and for them to see how God's abundance is for everyone.  Through our topics, worship and celebrations, the children are given every opportunity to view the world through the lenses of the diverse societies that exist.  From researching the World Wars from minorities' perspectives to a comparison between the Romans and the Shang Dynasty...our curriculum enables pupils to think critically about world issues and to develop an awareness of the impact our own actions can have on others.  

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  Galatians 3:28.