An Introduction To Our Curriculum
At Lindhead School, our curriculum is designed to help children learn, care and grow together. We want pupils to develop secure knowledge, important skills, curiosity about the world and the confidence to apply what they have learned in different contexts.
Our curriculum is broad and balanced. It is planned carefully from Reception to Year 6 so that children build on what they already know, revisit important concepts, and make links across subjects. We aim for learning to be purposeful, engaging and ambitious, while also reflecting the needs, interests and context of our pupils.
How our curriculum is organised
Each year group follows a long-term curriculum plan. These plans set out what children will learn across the year in English, mathematics, science, computing, history, geography, art and design, design and technology, religious education, physical education, PSHE, music and other areas of school life.
Our curriculum planning is sequenced so that knowledge and skills develop over time. Teachers use these plans to shape lessons, adapt learning for their class, and ensure that children have opportunities to revisit, practise and apply what they have learned.
English
English is central to our curriculum. We want children to become confident speakers, attentive listeners, enthusiastic readers and effective writers.
In English, we currently use a range of resources to support high-quality teaching and progression. These include Pearson Wordsmith for writing and English units, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds for phonics and early reading, and Nelson Handwriting to support handwriting development. Across the school, children experience a wide range of stories, poems, non-fiction texts and writing opportunities.
Reading is a high priority. In the early years and Key Stage 1, children are taught phonics systematically so that they can develop secure decoding skills. As children move through school, they continue to develop fluency, comprehension, vocabulary and a love of reading.
Mathematics
We use White Rose Maths across the school to support a carefully sequenced approach to mathematics. This helps children develop fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills over time.
In Key Stage 1, we also use Mastering Number to strengthen children’s understanding of number, number relationships and early mathematical fluency. Our aim is for children to become confident mathematicians who can explain their thinking and apply mathematics in different situations.
Foundation subjects
We want children to experience a rich and varied curriculum beyond English and mathematics. Many of our foundation subjects are supported by Kapow Curriculum resources, which help us to provide clear progression in knowledge and skills.
We currently use Kapow resources for several subjects, including areas such as science, computing, art and design, design and technology, music, history and geography, where appropriate. Teachers adapt these materials to meet the needs of their classes and to make meaningful links with prior learning and wider school experiences.
For Modern Foreign Languages, we use Mr French to support the teaching of French. In Religious Education, we follow the North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus. For PSHE, we use One Decision, supported by myHappymind, to help children develop their understanding of health, wellbeing, relationships, safety and personal development.
Physical Education is taught through our bespoke PE scheme, designed to support children’s physical development, confidence, teamwork and understanding of healthy active lifestyles.
Personal development and wellbeing
Our curriculum is not only about academic learning. We want children to develop as individuals and as members of a community. Through PSHE, assemblies, wider opportunities, myHappymind, visits, visitors, enrichment activities and daily school life, children learn about relationships, emotions, responsibility, respect, difference and keeping themselves safe.
We aim to help pupils become thoughtful, resilient and responsible young people who understand themselves, care about others and are ready for the next stage of their education.
Adapting learning for all pupils
At Lindhead, we recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates. Teachers use assessment, questioning, feedback and their knowledge of pupils to adapt learning so that children can access the curriculum and make progress.
Where children need additional support or challenge, this may include adapted tasks, scaffolding, targeted intervention, additional adult support, practical resources or opportunities to deepen their learning.
Reviewing and developing our curriculum
Our curriculum is regularly reviewed. Subject leaders and senior leaders monitor how well the curriculum is being taught, how effectively children are learning, and where further development is needed. This helps us to keep improving our curriculum so that it remains ambitious, relevant and responsive to our pupils.
Further information about individual subjects and year group curriculum plans can be found on the curriculum pages of our website.