Curriculum Overview
Intent
At Mill Dam, children join us from a wide catchment area with a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and prior knowledge. Our curriculum is designed to build on these starting points and provide all pupils with the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to succeed in education and in later life. We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of need, disadvantage or starting point, has equal access to the full breadth and depth of our curriculum.
Our curriculum aims to develop confident, independent learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and able to make a positive contribution to society. We place high importance on developing the whole child, ensuring that academic success sits alongside personal development, creativity and wellbeing.
Our curriculum is shaped by three key drivers which underpin all areas of learning:
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Caring – developing respectful, responsible and empathetic individuals
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Confidence – enabling pupils to believe in themselves and apply their learning independently
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Creativity – encouraging curiosity, imagination and flexible thinking
Through these drivers, we aim to provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that inspires a lifelong love of learning.
Implementation
Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure progression in knowledge and skills across all subjects. Learning builds over time so that pupils know more, remember more and can do more as they move through the school.
We use a combination of nationally recognised programmes and bespoke curriculum planning to meet the needs of our pupils and community. Teaching is designed to be inclusive and accessible, with appropriate support and challenge so that all pupils can succeed.
High expectations for learning are shared by all members of the school community. Staff work collaboratively to ensure consistency, strong subject knowledge and effective teaching that supports pupils to develop and apply what they have learned.
We enrich our curriculum through meaningful real-life experiences. Educational visits, visitors to school and practical, hands-on learning opportunities are planned within topics so that pupils can make connections between their learning and the wider world. These experiences help to broaden pupils’ horizons and develop their cultural capital.
In Key Stage 2, all pupils have the opportunity to take part in a residential or extended day visit each year, supporting both personal development and independence.
In addition to the taught curriculum, we offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities to develop pupils’ interests, talents and confidence.
Impact
The impact of our curriculum is that pupils leave Mill Dam as confident, caring and creative learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
They will:
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have secure knowledge and skills across the curriculum
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be ready to meet the academic and social challenges of secondary school
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show confidence, resilience and independence in their learning
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demonstrate respect for others and an understanding of the world around them
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have experienced a wide range of opportunities that broaden their aspirations and cultural awareness
Our curriculum ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to become lifelong learners.