Curriculum: Statement
Our Curriculum Statement
QEII School aims to provide a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum which is challenging and fun. We follow the Cornerstones Curriculum in Early Years, Primary and Seniors, which is adapted to the needs of our children. The Cornerstones Curriculum is a coherent, skills and knowledge-based primary curriculum with a creative edge. It’s rooted in a proven pedagogy based on how children learn best. At its heart is the principle that every child deserves a rich, fun, engaging and broad learning experience. The curriculum nurtures engagement, curiosity and innovation, brings learning to life in meaningful ways, and really makes an impact. It encompasses all areas of learning and allows students to make connections through a topic-based approach. The children are also taught phonics and maths/numeracy alongside the Cornerstones.
The school is committed to delivering many aspects of the curriculum through performing arts and this has been judged to be an outstanding aspect of the school. The school has also developed an expertise in Alternative and Augmentative Communication and Progressive Environments and uses a wide range of low and high tech equipment to support this.
Our curriculum is also designed to promote the key skills of communication, cognition, independence, physical development, personal development and self-care, all transferrable skills that link with their EHCP targets and equip children and young people for life beyond the school. It strives to be responsive to each learner and build on individual strengths and interests. A spiral plan is in place, which supports a balance of stimulating contexts for learning through different experiences, themes and subjects that are continually revisited to reinforce learning.
We encourage all of our students to show that they can engage through the exploration of a chosen stimulus, giving them the skills needed to arrive at realisation, as well as to show their ability to anticipate what might happen next in any given situation. We enable them to be persistent in their approach to learning whilst also developing the skills they need in order to initiate their own learning experiences.
Cornerstones encompasses all subjects including; English, maths, Science, Humanities, ICT, Art and PE. The planning is made up of four stages as follows –
Engage – hook children in with a memorable experience.
Develop – allow children time to gather the skills and knowledge they need to develop a deep understanding.
Innovate – offer creative experiences that allow children to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding.
Express – provide the space and time for reflecting, evaluating, and celebrating learning.
Each topic is taught in a manner that enables development as pupils’ progress through the school. Teachers strive to make activities appropriate to the age they are teaching and the resources throughout school reflect this.