Curriculum overview

 The children at Cotham Gardens are taught an ambitious curriculum which is based on the statutory EYFS framework and the National Curriculum (2014). We have made a number of changes to our curriculum over the last year to ensure that every subject is sequenced coherently, with knowledge and specific subject skills mapped cumulatively from EYFS to Year 6.  

We aim to: 

• Provide a broad and balanced education for all pupils that’s coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge for skills and future learning and employment 
• Enable pupils to develop knowledge, understand concepts and acquire skills, and be able to choose and apply these in relevant situations 
• Support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development 
• Support pupils’ physical development and responsibility for their own health, and enable them to be active 
• Promote a positive attitude towards learning 
• Ensure equal access to learning for all pupils, with high expectations for every pupil and appropriate levels of challenge and support 
• Have a high academic ambition for all pupils 
• Equip pupils with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life
• To develop high levels of oracy by focusing on speaking and listening 
• Be inclusive and representative of our diverse community. 

Teachers set high expectations for all pupils. They will use appropriate assessment to set ambitious targets and plan challenging work for all groups, including: 

• More able pupils 
• Pupils with low prior attainment 
• Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds 
• Pupils with SEN 
• Pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) 

Teachers will plan lessons so that pupils with SEN and/or disabilities can study every National Curriculum subject, wherever possible, and ensure that there are no barriers to every pupil achieving. 

Teachers will also take account of the needs of pupils whose first language is not English. Lessons will be planned so that teaching opportunities help pupils to develop their English, and to support pupils to take part in all subjects.