Curriculum Overview/Intent

We believe in the concept of lifelong, independent learning and the notion that learning should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for all.  We believe in high-quality teaching and learning experiences, which promote excellence and enjoyment across the curriculum and enable and empower all pupils to become successful learners. 

We focus on the child as a whole, ensuring that children's social and emotional needs are also catered for to ensure that children are well prepared for their next stage in education and for life in modern Britain.  

We ensure the learning journey of all our pupils is underpinned by our school values of Aspire, Create and Think.  Throughout our curriculum, we offer a range of high-quality learning experiences, which draw on real-life experience and result in creative, authentic and meaningful outcomes. 

Our curriculum encourages curiosity, active thinking, independence and develops a thirst for learning; it is diverse, current, relevant and immerses pupils in current events happening in the world today.  We want to inspire our pupils to understand how the small differences they make have an impact and we do this by developing our pupils' wellbeing, self-esteem, confidence so that they aspire to full-fil their potential.

Our curriculum has been carefully considered and mapped out to ensure that there is progression of skills and breadth of coverage. 

We firmly believe in the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the importance that these foundations give children starting their school journey.  As a result, we heavily invest in our learning environments, the development of our curriculum and the training our staff receive to ensure all children benefit from the best start to their education.  We adopt a hygge-inspired, wanderlust approach to our curriculum so that children's curiosity is ignited, the natural world is explored and provocations create meaningful interactions.  

As educators we recognise how important it is for our pupils in KS1 to continue to build upon the foundations laid in EYFS and be physically active and involved in their learning.  Therefore, we have adopted a continuous and enhanced provision approach to our KS1 curriculum, which provides children with opportunities to explore and lead their own learning.  Children regularly take part in Forest School sessions and have daily opportunities to learn outdoors.  Indoor classrooms reflect a child-centred, hygge-inspired environment aimed to ensure children continue to learn in a way that best suits their age and needs whilst also enabling teachers and support staff to work with children in small groups.

In KS2 our approach to teaching evolves.  Whilst maintaining our hygge-inspired environments, practical hands-on learning and focus on oracy, we also promote the innovative use of technology within the classroom environment to ensure pupils are prepared or life at secondary school and beyond.  

We provide an inclusive learning environment whereby all pupils are valued and enjoy their education.  We foster equity and ensure that our curriculum addresses disadvantage and aspires to support all pupils to achieve.  All aspects of our curriculum are accessible to all children, irrespective of their background, gender, disability, religious or linguistic background and complies with our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.  We strive hard to meet the needs of those pupils with special education needs, those with disabilities, those who are more able and those children learning English as an additional language.    

In short, at Elmhurst, we aim for every child to Aspire, Create and Think.

If you would like further information on the curriculum or how to help your child at home then please get in contact with our Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Viv Woon on 01296 481380 or office@esglt.co.uk