Halsford Park ‘Come back curriculum’- Rationale

As a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we recognise that there has been a disruption to our learner’s education for extended periods of time. The experiences had by each child during this time will have been different; therefore, it is important that as we set out our rationale for our curriculum at Halsford Park Primary school, where we will take into account the changing needs of our whole community.

Our Whole School Intent still stands firm and our beliefs as a school community are the same, however our emphasis on parts of our intent have shifted to align with these changing needs.

We still believe that, our ultimate goal is for learners to be successful, confident individuals, who soar to success, make a positive contribution to the community and society – both now and in the future. 

We believe this can be achieved by fostering a passion for lifelong learning that we can enable through an irresistible curriculum, which is mapped out to ensure that knowledge, skills and vocabulary build year on year so children are able to know, do and remember more.  Our Core Values of Respect, Compassion, Responsibility and Courage drive our curriculum and how we will be as a community.  Through our connected curriculum, we enable learners to develop learning and life skills which develop their well-being and understanding of mental health.

The whole community’s well-being remains at the heart of our ethos and links strongly with our core values. We are mindful that children have had differing experiences of the pandemic, therefore our responses adapt to this.  Our approach continues to be at three levels: holistic (for all children); focussed and personalised recovery (for those directly affected); deep recovery (for those who have experienced trauma). Our work is under pinned by an understanding of relationships, our community, meta-cognition and the need for space and time. We work in a transparent way together.

At Halsford Park, we define which knowledge and skills we believe are essential and teach these over the academic year, ensuring that the children can build on their prior learning and continue to deepen knowledge, understanding and vocabulary. Our approach to teaching remains rooted in our understanding of how children learn, and ongoing assessment informs our planning for learners.

We will continue to live by our Core Values and our beliefs around these core values will be strengthened as we undertake extensive teaching and learning to ensure that the children have, purposefully planned personal, social and emotional development opportunities.

At Halsford Park, we continue to recognise the importance of tailoring our curriculum to the needs of the learners and families in our school community. We will therefore continue to build from our learner’s starting points and focus to ensure:

• All children to have a voice and know who can help them
• Learners to be emotionally literate and understand the importance of a healthy body and mind
• An irresistible curriculum that engages learners
• Enrichment opportunities to enhance the curriculum
• Passionate teaching that enables individual learners to develop knowledge and skills
• Autonomous learners
• Culture that facilitates purposeful learning
• Aspirational learners
• Success for all
• Key vocabulary accessed by all

Updated summer 2022