At Sandhurst Primary School we aim for all our pupils to leave us equipped to be successful life-long learners, able to adapt to whatever opportunities or challenges their future brings.
Children deserve a curriculum which allows them to:
- learn with their head (knowledge),
- learn with their hands (skills)
- and learn with their hearts (attitudes/feelings)
Our curriculum has been considered and developed by pupils, staff and governors. We believe it to be not only broad and balanced but coherent, rigorous and appropriate for pupils living in a rapidly changing world. All subject learning is expected to be active, engaging, relevant, accessible and wherever possible, creative.
The key skills and knowledge of subjects in the national curriculum are delivered in a sequential, developmentally appropriate way which builds on prior learning. The national curriculum has been added to and enriched in ways that are necessary and appropriate for our pupils. Our learning units have been carefully planned and considered to ensure that no child is left behind, with a ‘keep up, not catch-up’ approach that systematically builds on the knowledge, skills and abilities of every child.
Pupil Voice
School council representatives have worked with their classes to think about the curriculum and learning. They asked their peers:
- What would you like to learn about?
- How do you like to learn?
- Where do you like to learn?
- Who do you like to learn with?
Additionally for UKS2
- What knowledge do you think will help you in the future?
- What skills do you think will help you in the future?
- What attitudes do you think will help you in the future?
Their answers have been shared with the school community and formed part of curriculum development and planning.
Sandhurst is Unique
Our curriculum is planned to celebrate, draw on the strengths and address the challenges that are relevant and unique to us as a learning community within a wider, urban community.
Being so close to central London is a key resource that is drawn upon at every opportunity.
There is an enrichment entitlement built into the curriculum ensuring that children access a range of places, buildings and experiences in London and beyond during their journey through the school. This takes the form of carefully planned visits and visitors, which may be the starting or celebration point of a topic. We also actively seek projects, schemes, opportunities which we believe would be beneficial to children’s personal development and learning
The history of the school includes a bombing raid during the Second World War which led to the largest civilian loss. This is remembered with a memorial garden and strong links with past pupils and their families who were effected and visit the school. Our history topic about World War 2 uses sources and interviews directly related to the impact on our school and the community.
Inclusion and Diversity
At Sandhurst Primary School we believe in excellent progress for all and excellent experiences for all, in a safe and caring environment. We are a wholly inclusive school. We strive to meet the needs of all our pupils and their families and will do whatever we are able to ensure that every child is happy and a successful learner, with a positive self-image and high self-esteem. Our whole school ethos and daily practice promotes equality, celebrates diversity, develops understanding and challenges myths, stereotypes, misconceptions and prejudices.
Sandhurst is a large and diverse community school. Our curriculum is enriched and strengthened by the experiences and backgrounds of our families. We enjoy excellent relationships with parents/carers and our wider local community. There are a number school events throughout the year that promote community cohesion (International evening, Fireworks, Sand-tots etc). Many parents work or have worked as volunteers in the school and there is a strong tradition of parents working alongside staff, sharing their experiences and knowledge within subject areas and at extra-curricular events. Local visits and visitors to and from the local community are well established and enrich subject learning across the curriculum. Resources and curriculum content are continually reviewed to ensure they reflect the diversity and backgrounds of our pupils and the world they live in.
The Arts
Arts teaching is, and has been for a long time, a strength of the school. The first part of every school year has a significant arts component within the curriculum, as the children create artwork to celebrate class names which is then displayed all over the school. The school have their own kiln to ensure that children have the opportunity to develop sculpture techniques and creatively design and make products.
Sport and PE
Sports and PE opportunities are another key feature of the Sandhurst experience and vital to the physical component of well-being.
We follow the ‘Real PE’ framework to ensure the sequential and progressive teaching of physical knowledge and skills alongside the development of necessary attitudes and values.
One of the challenges of our urban environment is the limited playground area and lack of easily accessible green space for children to exercise or play in. To compensate for his we take every opportunity we can to allow children to watch or participate in a wide range of sporting events both within school time, after school or at weekends.
After school sports clubs are varied and many promote teamwork and/or personal development. We are always seeking to develop our extra-curricular offer and work with staff, parents and providers offering new and exciting sporting opportunities. A full list of current extra-curricular clubs can be found on the school website.
Looking Forward
The curriculum at Sandhurst will always be a ‘work in progress’; constantly reviewed and reconsidered.
As society, the worlds of work and leisure and technologies change and evolve, we aim for our curriculum to develop and grow. Whatever the changes and challenges, at the centre of the Sandhurst curriculum will be well-being of each child and the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to successfully continue their learning journey.
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Please also see our Quality First Teaching