At Scawsby Saltersgate Infant school, we believe that learning should inspire curiosity, build confidence and prepare every child for lifelong success. Our curriculum is carefully designed to provide rich, meaningful experiences that enable all pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive.
We see our curriculum as a living curriculum. It is continually reviewed, refined and strengthened to ensure it reflects the needs of our pupils, embraces new thinking and provides an ambitious, inclusive education for every child.
A Reading School
Reading is at the heart of everything we do. High-quality, diverse literature provides the foundation for learning across the curriculum, inspiring children to explore new ideas, develop their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of the world.
Our carefully chosen texts reflect a wide range of cultures, experiences and perspectives, ensuring every child can see themselves represented while developing empathy, curiosity and a love of reading.
High Expectations for Every Child
We believe that consistency, high expectations and purposeful learning enable children to achieve their very best. Through clear routines, carefully sequenced learning and a calm, supportive environment, pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence.
Building Knowledge and Understanding
Each subject has its own unique identity, and our curriculum ensures children develop both:
Substantive knowledge – the key facts, concepts and information that pupils need to know.
Disciplinary knowledge – understanding how experts work within each subject, such as thinking like a historian, investigating like a scientist or creating like an artist.
We know that strong knowledge enables children to apply their learning confidently, make connections across subjects and become successful lifelong learners.
Carefully Planned Learning
Our curriculum is designed with clear end points in mind. We identify the essential knowledge and understanding pupils need to secure before moving on to the next stage of learning. This ensures that learning is carefully sequenced, builds progressively over time and supports every child to succeed.
Assessment is an integral part of this process. We use ongoing formative assessment to identify what children know, celebrate success and provide timely support where needed. This helps us focus on the learning that matters most and ensures all pupils make strong progress.
Evidence-Informed Teaching
Our teaching is underpinned by educational research and best practice. We draw on evidence-informed approaches, including the principles of effective instruction, to help children learn successfully. This includes:
* Regular review of previous learning to strengthen memory and retention.
* Breaking new learning into manageable steps with appropriate support.
* High-quality questioning to check understanding and address misconceptions.
* Carefully planned opportunities for pupils to practise, apply and deepen their learning.
By combining ambitious expectations with nurturing relationships and evidence-informed practice, we provide every child with the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to flourish both now and in the future.