Curriculum Statement
At Everton Heath Primary School, the curriculum is designed to provide a broad, balanced, and progressive learning experience that fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. We have adopted the Grammarsaurus scheme as the foundation for these subjects due to its excellent spiral curriculum structure, which ensures that key knowledge and skills are revisited and reinforced over time. This approach supports the development of deep understanding and long-term retention, essential for our mixed-age classes.
Grammarsaurus integrates English, grammar, and spelling seamlessly across the curriculum, enabling pupils to apply literacy skills in a variety of contexts and subjects. This cross-curricular integration is particularly important for our pupils, many of whom benefit from consistent reinforcement of language skills, including those with SEND and pupils eligible for Pupil Premium. The two-year cycle model of the curriculum is carefully tailored to suit our mixed-year groups, ensuring continuity and progression while allowing flexibility to meet individual pupils’ needs.
This curriculum is aspirational as it challenges pupils to develop not only subject-specific knowledge but also critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. It nurtures curiosity and creativity, preparing pupils to thrive academically and personally. The curriculum also reflects our commitment to inclusion and equity, ensuring all children—regardless of background or ability—can access high-quality learning experiences that promote success.
Whole School Aims
Our curriculum is intrinsically linked to Everton Heath Primary School’s vision and values: “All children know that they are a success” and “learn-grow-thrive.” We aim to create an environment where children listen, try their best, are respectful, and take responsibility for their learning and behaviour.
The curriculum supports these values by embedding opportunities for pupils to develop resilience, independence, and respect for themselves and others. It fosters a love of learning through engaging and meaningful content, which aligns with our school motto and the nurturing ethos described by Ofsted. By ensuring that pupils revisit key concepts and language regularly, the curriculum helps build confidence and competence, contributing to improved outcomes across the school, especially in writing and reading, which are current improvement priorities.
Subject Vision
We teach the curriculum subjects underpinned by Grammarsaurus because we believe that a strong foundation in language and literacy is essential for pupils’ overall academic success and personal development. Our intent is for every pupil to become a confident communicator, capable of expressing ideas clearly and understanding complex concepts across subjects.
The curriculum is designed to close gaps in knowledge and skills through its spiral approach, which revisits and deepens learning progressively. This directly supports our school improvement priorities by addressing historic weaknesses in subject-specific language use and literacy skills. We aim for pupils to leave Everton Heath with a rich vocabulary, strong grammatical understanding, and the ability to apply these skills across the curriculum, thus improving writing standards and fostering a robust reading culture.
By embedding grammar and spelling throughout the curriculum, we also aim to raise aspirations and outcomes from the earliest stages of education.
Communication with Stakeholders
To ensure successful implementation and shared understanding of this curriculum rationale, we will communicate clearly and regularly with all stakeholders:
- Parents and carers: Through newsletters, curriculum workshops, and the school website, we will explain the rationale, structure, and benefits of the curriculum, highlighting how it supports literacy and overall learning. We will provide guidance on how families can support learning at home, particularly in language development.
- Staff: Regular professional development sessions and collaborative planning time will be used to deepen staff understanding of the curriculum’s spiral design and cross-curricular links, ensuring consistency and high-quality delivery.
- Pupils: Age-appropriate explanations and reflections on their learning journeys will help pupils understand the purpose of their learning and how it connects across subjects.
- Governors and Trust: Detailed curriculum reports and presentations will outline how the curriculum meets statutory requirements, addresses school improvement priorities, and incorporates Ofsted feedback, ensuring accountability and strategic oversight.
This multi-faceted communication approach takes into account the school’s small size and close community, as well as the positive feedback from Ofsted regarding pupil engagement and inclusion.
Overall, this curriculum rationale demonstrates Everton Heath Primary School’s commitment to providing an ambitious, well-planned, and inclusive education that aligns with national expectations and the school’s vision for all children to learn, grow, and thrive.
At Everton Heath, we aim to develop confident readers, writers and speakers. Children learn through high‑quality texts that build vocabulary, grammar and a love of reading. Our approach includes phonics (SoundsWrite), spelling (Spelling Shed), handwriting, and structured writing techniques used consistently from EYFS to Year 6. Through drama, discussion and creative activities, pupils learn to express themselves clearly and enjoy literature in all its forms.
We teach maths using a Mastery approach so every child develops a deep, secure understanding of key concepts. Lessons build knowledge in small, connected steps and encourage children to explain their thinking and solve problems in different ways. We use White Rose planning from Year 1 and Mastering Number in EYFS. To support fluency, pupils also use Numbots, Times Table Rock Stars and our “Going for Gold” initiative.
Our science curriculum nurtures curiosity and helps children understand the world around them. Through practical investigations and hands‑on experiences, pupils learn key knowledge in biology, chemistry and physics. Concepts are revisited over a two‑year cycle to strengthen understanding. Children are encouraged to question, explore and think like scientists.
Art at Everton Heath encourages creativity, imagination and critical thinking. Children learn a range of artistic skills that build year on year, study the work of significant artists and use sketchbooks to develop ideas. Our curriculum helps pupils express themselves while deepening their cultural and creative understanding.
Computing teaches children how technology works and how to use it safely and creatively. Pupils learn coding, digital media, data handling and how computer systems operate. Online safety is embedded throughout. Our curriculum follows four strands and is supported by the Teach Computing programme.
Design & Technology helps children become creative problem‑solvers. Pupils design, make and evaluate products using a range of tools and materials. They learn how design impacts everyday life and develop practical skills alongside an understanding of function, sustainability and innovation.
Our French curriculum introduces children to a new language in fun and engaging ways. Pupils learn to listen, speak, read and write simple French while exploring French culture. We aim to build confidence, curiosity and strong foundations for future language learning.
Geography helps children understand the world, its people and its environments. Pupils develop map skills, fieldwork skills and geographical vocabulary while exploring local, national and global places. Learning builds over time so children develop a strong sense of place and an appreciation of our diverse planet.
In History, children learn about significant people, events and periods from Britain and the wider world. They develop skills in enquiry, critical thinking and evidence‑based reasoning. Our curriculum helps pupils understand how the past has shaped society and encourages respect for different cultures and communities.
Music lessons inspire children to enjoy performing, composing and listening to a wide range of music. Pupils explore different genres, traditions and historical periods. Opportunities such as Rocksteady lessons, Young Voices and performance clubs help build confidence and creativity.
PE promotes healthy lifestyles, teamwork and confidence. Children take part in a wide range of sports and physical activities, developing skills and positive attitudes towards fitness. Extra‑curricular clubs and sporting events give pupils further opportunities to be active and enjoy sport.
Our PSHE curriculum helps children become confident, respectful and resilient individuals. Through a spiral programme, pupils learn about relationships, health, wellbeing, diversity and staying safe. They develop the skills to make positive choices and understand their role in the wider community.
RE helps children understand different religions, beliefs and worldviews. Through enquiry‑based learning, pupils explore big questions about life, values and identity. The curriculum promotes respect, empathy and critical thinking, supporting children to develop their own informed viewpoints.
Religious education curriculum map
The right to withdraw from RE
In England, parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children from RE. We would hope that you would contact us in the first instance so that we can discuss concerns and together put alternative arrangements in place to support your child.
You will find more information on the right to withdraw and how to handle an application at https://www.natre.org.uk/