Our Vision for Learning

At Gamston St Peter's CofE Primary School, our curriculum is designed to empower every pupil to "Be the best they can be," enabling them to "Shine like lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). We believe that every pupil has the potential to shine brightly through their learning, personal growth, and contributions to the community. Underpinned by our core values of Kindness, Resilience, and Hope, we strive to cultivate a lifelong love of learning and equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our curriculum promotes kindness through collaborative projects, opportunities to learn about different cultures, and acts of service within our community. It fosters resilience by encouraging pupils to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and develop their intellectual, emotional, and practical capabilities ("Heads, Hearts, and Hands"). And it instils hope by inspiring pupils to believe in a brighter future and providing them with the tools to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Intent: A Foundation for Flourishing

Our curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, recognising the unique potential within each pupil. From their very first day, we provide a carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich curriculum that:

1. Builds Cultural Capital: We aim to equip our pupils with the cultural capital they need to be informed, engaged, and proactive citizens, ready to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.
2. Creates Meaningful Experiences: We are committed to creating memorable learning experiences that foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the world around us, encouraging self-reflection and resilience.
3. Secures Strong Foundations: Our curriculum is meticulously designed to build upon prior learning, ensuring that foundational knowledge is cemented through deliberate repetition and meaningful connections across subjects.
4. Promotes Vocabulary and Knowledge Acquisition: We prioritise the development of a rich vocabulary and a deep understanding of key concepts, ensuring that knowledge is not only acquired but also retained and applied.

Why Knowledge Matters

We believe that knowledge is the cornerstone of effective learning and future success. Cognitive science has demonstrated the critical role of knowledge in:

1. Freeing Up Thinking Space: A strong knowledge base reduces cognitive load, allowing pupils to engage in more complex thinking and problem-solving. For example, when pupils have instant recall of multiplication tables, they can focus their cognitive resources on solving more challenging mathematical problems.
2. Connecting Learning and Fostering Innovation: New knowledge is built upon existing knowledge. By providing a rich and interconnected curriculum, we enable pupils to make meaningful connections, fostering creativity, innovation, and a deeper understanding of the world. Without sufficient prior knowledge, pupils cannot effectively evaluate new information or develop critical thinking skills.

Implementation: How We Deliver Our Vision

Our curriculum is brought to life through:

1. Subject Leadership: Dedicated subject leaders with a passion for their area, who drive curriculum development, monitor teaching and learning, and provide ongoing support to colleagues. This is a key area for development in our school improvement plan.
2. High-Quality Teaching: Our teachers are committed to delivering engaging and effective lessons that cater to the diverse needs of all pupils. They use a range of teaching strategies, including explicit instruction, collaborative learning, and inquiry-based approaches, to ensure that all pupils are able to access and succeed in the curriculum.
3. Assessment for Learning: We use a variety of assessment methods, including formative and summative assessments, to monitor pupil progress and identify areas for support. Assessment information is used to inform teaching and learning, ensuring that all pupils are challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
4. SEND Provision: We are committed to providing a fully inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND. We work closely with parents and other professionals to develop individualised support plans that enable pupils with SEND to access the curriculum and make good progress.
5. Reading Fluency Focus: We are committed to developing children’s reading fluency through a range of strategies, including guided reading, phonics instruction, and opportunities for independent reading.
6. EYFS Continuous Provision: We are developing continuous provision in EYFS to provide children with rich and stimulating learning experiences that promote their development across all areas of the curriculum.

Impact: Preparing for the Future

Our curriculum is designed to have a positive impact on pupil outcomes, progress, and personal development, nurturing their "Heads, Hearts, and Hands." As a result of our curriculum:

1. Pupils Achieve Well: Pupils make good progress across all subjects, developing a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. Our recent Ofsted inspection graded us as 'Good' in all areas, reflecting the positive impact of our curriculum.
2. Pupils are Well-Prepared for the Next Stage: Pupils leave Gamston St Peter's as confident, well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for the next stage of their education and life.
3. Pupils Develop a Love of Learning: Our curriculum fosters a love of learning, encouraging pupils to be curious, inquisitive, and lifelong learners.
4. Pupils Develop Key Skills and Attributes: Pupils develop the key skills and attributes they need to succeed in the 21st century, including critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration.
5. Pupils with SEND Make Good Progress: Pupils with SEND make good progress, supported by our inclusive curriculum and individualised support plans.

Through Religious Education, pupils develop their understanding of different faiths and cultures, fostering kindness and respect for others (Hearts). In Science, pupils are encouraged to persevere with experiments and learn from their mistakes, building resilience and developing their problem-solving skills (Heads and Hands). Through History, pupils learn about the challenges and triumphs of the past, inspiring hope for the future (Heads and Hearts).

By providing our pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum, we aim to ensure that they leave Gamston St Peter's as confident, well-rounded individuals, fully prepared for the next stage of their education and life, equipped with knowledge, compassion, and practical skills ("Heads, Hearts, and Hands").