Our intention at Curwen Primary School is to support and promote the development of the whole child with a learning journey that leads every child to be the best they can be, from all starting points, and ready for the next phase in their education. In order to do this, we have developed the mnemonic SHINE: Successful; Healthy and Safe; develop a sense of Identity; feel supported and Nurtured; are Engaged in an exciting curriculum. 

We believe that in order for children to make the best possible progress we need to create a positive and secure environment in which all children can learn. We place great emphasis on good manners, respect and consideration for others, through formal teaching in lessons, such as RE and PSHE, as well as throughout the school day and in assemblies. We encourage children to become self-confident, resilient, mature and independent. We also support them to celebrate the diversity within our school and our local area, and to recognise the importance of making a positive contribution to the life of the school and the wider community. We also focus on our eight Curwen Core Skills: Strive for Success; Innovation; Communication; Reflection; Empathy; Resilience; Teamwork; Leadership; skills that can be taken into adult life.

We recognise the limited experiences that our children often have outside of school, and therefore build in many opportunities for this within school. This includes: carefully planned educational visits in each year group, including residential visits; visits to the theatre, art galleries, live music performances and places of worship for every child in their time at the school; regular visitors into school, to provide positive role models who share experiences and career aspirations; opportunities to both watch and take part in competitive sports; a huge range of extra-curricular activities to supplement our curriculum and ensure pupils are able to further develop individual interests and talents, and develop a lifelong love of learning. 

In order to achieve our vision, we ensure that we implement an exciting curriculum which is relevant, balanced and carefully designed to help pupils develop key knowledge and skills. Sequenced progression and high expectations ensure children are ready for the next stage in their learning. Throughout the school we cover all areas of the National Curriculum: English, Maths, Science, Information and Communication Technology, History, Geography, Physical Education, Music, Art, Design Technology, Religious Education, RSHE (Relationship, Sex and Health Education) and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education).  In KS2 children are also taught Spanish as part of our Modern Foreign Language Programme, which is enhanced by strong links and joint projects with a school in Spain. Our curriculum is further enriched in a number of ways, such as the promotion of Performing Arts, Pupil Voice, Curwen Core Skills and our Extended Provision offer. 

In the Foundation Stage this is covered by the seven areas of learning: Communication and Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Personal Social and Emotional Development, Understanding the World, Physical Development and Expressive Art and Design.

At Curwen, we use the Read Write Inc. (RML) system for the teaching of Reading and Phonics in Early Years, Key Stage 1 and, where appropriate, in Key Stage 2. We have also developed our own sequential Maths curriculum for the teaching of Maths from Early Years to Year 6.

We have developed a curriculum that is exciting, adapted to our local context and ensures diversity is celebrated throughout. To make sure it remains relevant to our pupils and promotes cross-curricular links, each year our Subject Leaders review the curriculum that is planned out for their subject. This learning is supplemented by a range of ‘special’ events and activities throughout the year, which are carefully planned in to allow pupils to deepen their learning in a range of ways. We ensure that this is implemented in a holistic way to help pupils to develop links in their learning. For example: International Week; World of Work Week; Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Week; ‘Big Outcomes’ and assemblies, where pupils share their learning with parents.

We aim to ensure that each child achieves personal success, and develops the skills and confidence necessary for the next stage of their learning.

If you would like a copy of any of our school policies please view our school policies section under the ‘School information’ area on the school website. Alternatively you can visit the office and pick up a copy.