Curriculum
The School Curriculum
Introduction – Marlborough’s Vision, Mission, Aims and Pledge
Vision
Marlborough Primary School aspires to provide an education where children are taught the skills to develop a lifelong love of learning. Through developing curiosity, creativity and resilience, we aim to empower our children to become ambitious learners who are able to work independently, are empathetic and supportive of others and have the self-belief needed for a successful future.
Mission/Pledge
At Marlborough Primary School, we believe that learning should be exciting, purposeful and challenging. Our school aims to inspire and prepare every child to have high expectations of themselves and others. We will achieve this through providing a creative and challenging curriculum which motivates and encourages all children to reach their potential. We want all our children to be happy, confident and inquisitive learners. To ensure this, we have written “Our Pledge” to allow all our children to have access to a range of experiences that will widen their learning opportunities.
Our Pledge to Our Children
Whilst you attend our school you will:
Visit and explore an art gallery. Visit a library. Visit places of worship.
Experience an outdoor learning environment. Experience camping outside. Experience a residential trip. Experience different cultures and festivals.
Watch a professional sporting event. Watch a live performance or concert.
Perform in front of an audience.
Visit an historical place. Visit a local place of interest. Visit a theatre.
Meet a person/people who can widen your understanding of the world. Meet an author.
Meet children from other schools.
Develop an awareness of current affairs.
Contribute to charity by holding a charitable event.
Aims
Together, as a learning community, we aim to:
- Inspire and develop the whole child through a curriculum that equips and prepares them for their secondary education and their future beyond that.
- Inspire each child to achieve their full potential in all areas of the curriculum.
- Inspire learners in all subjects to be able to use known facts and draw on prior learning through a curriculum that builds knowledge sequentially throughout their time at Marlborough.
- Inspire and excite learners and encourage them to challenge themselves to be ambitious and motivated to take risks through a wide variety of experiences.
- Nurture individuals to accept and celebrate differences in a safe environment and through a curriculum that promotes kindness, empathy and respect.
- Nurture each child’s emotional wellbeing so that they can talk openly about their feelings with confidence.
- Nurture and encourage pupils to be responsible British citizens for the future who can actively contribute to a diverse society.
- Achieve a culture where children are able to self-assess, reflect and improve their own outcomes drawing on modelled and taught skills.
- Achieve a culture where critical thinking is valued and develops inquisitive, resilient learners.
- Achieve a learning culture that delivers a broad and balanced curriculum filled with purposeful first hand experiences which capitalises on the local area as well as making national and international links.
- Achieve lifelong learning for all members of the school community through high quality professional development for all staff and by developing a learning culture throughout the school.
- Together, include all members of the school community, pupils, parents, governors and staff, in the process of development not only of themselves but also of the school itself.
Marlborough’s Curriculum
In line with the 2014 National Curriculum expectations, we offer a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes pupils’ spiritual, cultural, mental and physical development and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. Children’s learning from our delivery of The National Curriculum develops the essential knowledge that they will need to be well rounded and educated citizens.
At Marlborough Primary School, we have a curriculum that is proportionately balanced between knowledge and skills, where possible and appropriate; we do not learn new knowledge for its own sake. Subject leaders have carefully structured their curriculum plans to ensure there is a clear progression of both knowledge and skills across the year groups. Meaningful links to prior learning have been deliberately constructed so that children’s knowledge and skills grow as they travel through school. In addition, where possible, links between subjects are also made to allow children to make connections in their learning. We believe that by carefully structuring our curriculum this way, we will help our children to become critical thinkers with enquiring minds.
As part of The National Curriculum, children receive lessons in English, Maths and Science (Core subjects) and Art and Design, Computing, Design and Technology, Geography, PSHCE, RE, History, Languages (KS2 only), Music and Physical Education. Teachers at Marlborough Primary School organise these National Curriculum subjects into high-quality, meaningful learning experiences within a theme or unit of work. These themes combine well-linked subject matter so that the children benefit from their learning to the greatest possible impact: not only are children engaging in high-quality learning, it is structured in a way to inspire and enthuse the learners.
Marlborough Primary School’s Subject Rationales
Our subject specific rationales outline the progression of skills and knowledge that we aspire to teach to each and every child developing during their learning journey at Marlborough. These show how learning links are made across subjects and how knowledge and skills build on each other as the children progress through school. These can be found on the page for the specific subject.
Please follow the links on this page to see an overview of curriculum coverage for each year group. Details of class themes and curriculum coverage can be found on individual class pages at the bottom of the page under “Downloads”. Please contact your child’s teacher for further information.
Throughout the year we run a variety of parent information evenings to help parents know what to expect in each year group, how we teach the curriculum and how to help children at home.
Statement of British Values
It is our aim to ensure that our children leave Marlborough Primary School as thoughtful, responsible individuals, who are confident and well prepared for life in modern Britain.
Through the delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum, we develop our children’s understanding of, and provide opportunities for our children to become engaged in learning and activities that foster and promote the four British values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. We teach them to understand their rights and responsibilities within school, the local community and as members of society, and to have self-respect and respect and tolerance for others.
Democracy:
We teach our children how they can influence the decision making process within school, within communities and within the wider world. We encourage and support the development of leadership and cooperative skills by providing opportunities for them to propose and discuss ideas; voice their opinions and defend their points of view; and listen to others and make decisions through the democratic process.
The Rule of Law:
Ensuring that our children are taught how to stay safe, and know how to help others stay safe, is of paramount importance to us at Marlborough. We teach our children to recognise the difference between right and wrong; providing opportunities for them to make good choices, and help them understand the positive and negative impact that their actions may have on their own and others’ lives.
Individual Liberty:
Independence and independent thought are key skills that we endeavour to instil in our children. ‘Marlborough Mindset’ aims to help our children develop resilience and self-motivation; and provide them with the confidence to challenge themselves, make their own choices and express their opinions; while knowing how to keep healthy and safe.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs:
We place great importance on ensuring that our children understand how to treat themselves and other people with respect, regardless of their differences. We provide opportunities for our children to learn about differences in people’s faiths and beliefs, reinforcing the importance of respecting and showing tolerance towards others.
We will actively challenge pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.