What does our Discovery Curriculum entail?
Our Discovery Curriculum is a broad, creative approach which allows teachers as professionals to ‘let go’ of individual subjects facilitating cross curricular themes and inter-disciplinary learning to be embedded in the classroom. Children talk of their topic, not individual subjects. At Tunstall CE Primary School, in both Key Stages and Early Years, children are taught in terms of a topic or theme. These begin with a ‘HOOK’ to rapidly engage and immerse the children into the theme. This is followed by the ‘LINE’ which is the learning which is taking place, be it knowledge or skills. We end with a ‘SINKER’ - this is where we support children to make links in their learning, to how the knowledge and skills can be applied and used in future scenarios, thus deepening their understanding.
Through our Discovery Curriculum, we as a school, are endeavouring to foster in children a range of transferable skills which they can apply to all learning. Our Discovery Curriculum relies on inter-disciplinary learning. This focuses learning on skills for life. This leads to “significant learning.” This is very valuable, since the skills acquired are found in various subjects or streams of study, and are designed to get children to apply what they’ve learned in new contexts.
Should any parent wish for further information about our curriculum, please contact Mrs Everest, Assistant Head via the school office office@tunstall.kent.sch.uk
Home Learning
Home learning at Tunstall is purposeful, creative and family-friendly — an extension of our Discovery Curriculum that helps children consolidate learning, practise key skills and take increasing responsibility for their own progress.
Tasks are topic-linked so families can join in across year groups; children choose one weekly challenge that suits their time and interests, alongside essential routines such as daily reading, spelling practice and age-appropriate times-table work. Short, regular activities (c. 20 minutes KS1; c. 30 minutes KS2) build stamina and independence while leaving space for creativity and deeper projects when time allows.
We celebrate home learning publicly: every class curates a weekly Home Learning Gallery, nominates a Home Learning Champion and shares successes on class blogs. Tasks are designed to be accessible — children can complete them in their Home Learning book or submit digital evidence — and teachers give clear expectations each term so families know how to support progress at home. Resources such as Times Tables Rock Stars, ReadTheory and our reading schemes complement practical activities and ensure children practise fluency, vocabulary and reasoning. Home learning at Tunstall is not busywork: it’s purposeful, joyful and rooted in our belief that strong school–home partnerships help every child flourish.