Curriculum

Curriculum Intent

At Smithdown Primary School, we aim high. Our motto, “Together We Grow,” captures our belief that every member of our community can achieve success and flourish.

Our curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious for all learners. It is designed to give every pupil—including those who are disadvantaged, have SEND, or face other barriers to learning—the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Rooted in our values of kindness, respect and aspiration, our curriculum nurtures academic excellence alongside personal growth, wellbeing and creativity.

The curriculum is underpinned by a shared understanding, developed collaboratively by subject leaders, of the key knowledge, vocabulary and skills that children need to build resilience, independence and a deep understanding of the world. It provides coherence and continuity, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections across subjects and over time.

Reading is central to our curriculum and to every child’s success. High-quality texts, including fiction, non-fiction and age-appropriate periodicals such as Whizz Pop Bang and National Geographic, inspire curiosity and support vocabulary development across all subjects.

Learning extends well beyond the classroom. A rich programme of clubs, visits, performances and community experiences broadens pupils’ horizons and helps them appreciate human creativity and achievement.

Our aim is simple and uncompromising: that every child at Smithdown Primary knows more, remembers more and can do more—leaving us confident, curious and ready for the next stage of education and for life beyond school.

Implementation

Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that learning is progressive, inclusive and coherent across all year groups.

  • Sequenced progression: Subjects are structured so that knowledge and skills build cumulatively, helping pupils connect new ideas to what they already know.

  • Strong foundations: We prioritise communication, language, reading, writing and mathematics as the bedrock for lifelong learning.

  • Expert teaching: Teachers have strong subject knowledge and use clear explanations, questioning and assessment to secure and deepen understanding.

  • Inclusive practice: Learning is adapted to ensure that every pupil, including those with SEND, EAL or who are new to the country, can access and succeed in the full curriculum.

  • Phonics focus: Early reading and phonics are given high priority, with targeted support for any pupil who needs it.

  • Enrichment and experience: Educational visits, fieldwork, visitors and after-school clubs enrich learning and help pupils appreciate human creativity, diversity and achievement.

Through high-quality teaching, consistent expectations and a love of learning, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive.

Impact

The impact of our curriculum is seen in the achievement, confidence and character of our pupils.
We measure success not only through academic outcomes, but through how pupils talk about their learning, apply their knowledge, and demonstrate curiosity, resilience and pride in all they do.

At Smithdown Primary, we evaluate impact by considering the extent to which pupils:

  • Know more, remember more and can do more across the curriculum, applying their knowledge with fluency and independence.

  • Achieve well from their individual starting points, including those who are disadvantaged or have SEND.

  • Develop secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, enabling access to the full curriculum and future success.

  • Show positive attitudes to learning, displaying enthusiasm, perseverance and a willingness to take on challenges.

  • Communicate effectively, using subject-specific vocabulary to express ideas with clarity.

  • Are ready for the next stage of education, and for life in modern Britain as respectful, responsible and compassionate citizens.

We use a range of assessment information, pupil voice and monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum. Where gaps are identified, targeted support ensures that all pupils make strong progress.

Our staff are proud of the stimulating, inclusive and progressive curriculum we have built together—one that reflects our shared belief that Together We Grow.