What is the Intent of our Curriculum?

At Ordsall Primary School, the ancient proverb “I hear things, and I forget them. I see things, and I remember them. I do things, and I understand them.” captures our belief that learning is most powerful when it is active, meaningful and memorable.

Our curriculum is designed to help children understand, remember and apply what they learn. It ensures every pupil develops secure knowledge and skills through carefully sequenced, subject-specific learning, with opportunities to revisit, recall and build upon prior knowledge over time.

Our intent is that all children will:

• Acquire a deep body of substantive knowledge (the facts, concepts and content within each subject);

• Develop disciplinary knowledge (how to think, question and behave like a historian, scientist, geographer, artist, etc.);

• Revisit key concepts regularly to strengthen memory and understanding; and

• Learn how to learn — applying their knowledge creatively and independently.

Our curriculum provides rich, vibrant and memorable experiences that promote progression in skills, knowledge and understanding across all subjects. It incorporates:

• The National Curriculum (2014);

• The Southwell Diocese Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education;

• The PSHE Association’s framework for Relationships, Sex and Health Education; and

• A broad range of additional opportunities and enrichment experiences that reflect the needs, interests and context of our community.

Everything we do is guided by our school vision — to ensure that every child can achieve their full potential by enabling them to Play, Learn and Grow Together.

How is our Curriculum Implemented?

Our curriculum is subject-specific, rather than topic-led, ensuring each subject is taught with purpose, precision and progression. Within each subject, progression maps clearly set out what children will learn (substantive knowledge) and how they will learn it (disciplinary knowledge).

These progression maps also identify the key vocabulary and core concepts that are revisited and built upon as children move through school. This approach ensures that learning is cumulative, connected and coherent, helping pupils to know more, do more and remember more.

Teachers design sequences of learning that:

• Begin with prior knowledge and build towards new understanding;

• Include deliberate opportunities for retrieval practice and low-stakes recall;

• Support children to make links between subjects and the wider world; and

• Encourage independence, curiosity and reflection.

The curriculum is further enriched through trips, visitors, events and cross-curricular experiences that bring learning to life and embed understanding in real contexts.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the Fundamental British Values and our school’s RESPECT values — Resilience, Effort, Support, Passion, Enrichment, Compassion and Teamwork. These values are woven throughout teaching, assemblies and daily life, ensuring that children grow not only academically, but personally and socially.

How Do We Measure the Impact of Our Curriculum?

We measure impact by asking:

“Do our children know more, remember more and use their knowledge with increasing confidence and understanding?”

To evaluate this, we use a range of evidence, including:

• Retrieval practice and knowledge checks to assess recall and understanding;

• Pupil voice – conversations about what children know now and remember from before;

• Work scrutiny and lesson visits – showing progression and application of knowledge;

• Subject leader monitoring – evaluating curriculum coverage, sequencing and impact;

• Assessment and moderation – reviewing knowledge and vocabulary progression across subjects; and

• National and internal data – validating progress and attainment against age-related expectations.

Leaders at all levels – including Governors, Senior Leaders and Subject Leaders – use this evidence to ensure that our curriculum is effective, ambitious and continually improving.

Ultimately, the success of our curriculum is seen in our pupils’ confidence, curiosity and readiness for the next stage of education. They leave Ordsall Primary School with a deep body of knowledge, the ability to think critically and creatively, and the motivation to keep learning throughout their lives.