Intent

At Oakworth Primary School, we are committed to providing a broad, balanced, and ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils and enables them to become Ready, Respectful and Safe citizens. Our curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum and enriched with purposeful experiences designed to ensure every child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to succeed in life.

We believe that a high-quality education should empower pupils to achieve their academic potential while also developing the personal qualities that underpin good citizenship and lifelong learning. Reading is the gateway to the curriculum and is at the heart of everything we do, fostering a love for literature and a strong foundation for success across all subjects. Writing and oracy are taught to enable pupils to express themselves confidently and with purpose. Mathematics develops pupils’ fluency, reasoning and problem-solving skills, preparing them for a rapidly changing world.

Through subjects such as Science, History, Geography, Computing, Art, Design and Technology, Religious Education and Music, we provide children with rich opportunities to enquire, create, and explore. Our approach is designed to promote critical thinking, collaboration and creativity while developing a secure understanding of the wider world. PE and PSHE ensure that pupils understand how to stay physically and mentally healthy, while Forest School and Outdoor Learning promote resilience, teamwork and problem-solving.

All curriculum areas are underpinned by our values of Ready, Respectful and Safe. These values shape how we teach, how pupils learn, and how we interact with one another in our school community. We celebrate diversity, promote equality and inclusion, and prepare pupils to participate actively and responsibly in modern British society.

Implementation

Our curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced to ensure that all children progressively build on prior learning and deepen their knowledge and understanding. It is carefully designed to meet the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum while also reflecting the needs, interests and context of our pupils.

• Reading is taught through high-quality texts and programmes such as Read Write Inc. and the Power of Reading. We promote reading for pleasure, fluency and comprehension across all subjects. Class novels, library time, reading buddies and daily story time enhance pupils’ engagement and vocabulary development.
• Writing is embedded in real and purposeful contexts. Pupils engage in a wide range of writing genres through high-quality literature, drama, discussion and research. Writing is taught explicitly with a focus on modelling, editing and grammar within meaningful contexts.
• Mathematics is taught daily through the White Rose Maths scheme, ensuring that fluency, reasoning and problem-solving are central to every lesson. Children experience concrete, pictorial and abstract representations and are supported to become resilient, independent learners.
• Science provides opportunities for hands-on investigation, exploration and the development of enquiry skills. Children ask questions, test hypotheses and develop a secure understanding of scientific concepts.
• Foundation Subjects such as History, Geography, RE and PSHE are taught through engaging topics which are relevant and meaningful. Lessons promote enquiry, discussion and understanding of local and global contexts.
• Art and Design & Technology are delivered through progressive units that focus on developing technical skills, creativity and the ability to evaluate and improve. Children study a diverse range of artists and designers to inspire their own practice.
• Computing is taught discretely and through cross-curricular links. Children develop their skills in coding, digital literacy, and online safety through NCCE and Project Evolve. E-safety is a central part of the curriculum and is supported by partnerships with external agencies.
• Physical Education is taught through a progressive curriculum that builds physical skills, promotes teamwork and ensures children understand the value of a healthy lifestyle. Opportunities for competition and physical challenges build resilience and collaboration.
• RE and PSHE promote understanding, respect and tolerance. Children learn about world religions, ethical issues, and how to become thoughtful and active citizens. Our curriculum fosters reflection, empathy and respect for others.
• Outdoor Learning and Forest School enhance the curriculum by giving pupils opportunities to learn through nature, take risks and develop confidence in a supportive environment.  

Our curriculum is inclusive and accessible to all. We use adaptive teaching, targeted support, and challenge to meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND or those who are disadvantaged. Teachers use assessment to identify gaps, inform planning and ensure progress for every child.

Impact

Our pupils leave Oakworth Primary School as confident, curious, and independent learners who are Ready, Respectful and Safe in all aspects of their lives. They are equipped with the knowledge, skills and personal qualities needed to succeed at secondary school and beyond.

• Reading outcomes show that children become fluent, thoughtful and passionate readers who enjoy a wide range of literature and use reading to access learning across the curriculum.
  
  
• Writing and communication are strengths. Pupils write clearly and effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, and they speak with confidence, clarity and respect.
  
  
• Mathematics outcomes demonstrate that children can reason mathematically, solve complex problems and apply their learning with confidence and precision.
  
  
• Across all subjects, pupils make strong progress and acquire the disciplinary knowledge and skills they need to understand the world and their place in it. They are creative, reflective, and capable of thinking critically and working collaboratively.
  
  
• Personal development is at the core of our curriculum. Pupils understand how to keep themselves and others safe, both in the real world and online. They are respectful of different cultures, beliefs and lifestyles and demonstrate kindness, tolerance and empathy.
  
  
• Wellbeing and behaviour are strong. Pupils demonstrate the school’s values in all areas of school life and are motivated, engaged and proud of their achievements.
  
  

We regularly review the impact of our curriculum through pupil voice, outcomes, assessment data and engagement with families and the wider community. This ensures that we continue to provide a high-quality curriculum that reflects our high expectations and supports every child in achieving their full potential.