Our Curriculum

The curriculum is one of the 4 corners of Calder (Curriculum, Classroom, Character and Community) through which we aim to meet the vision of The Calder Learning Trust. We intend to equip our students with the skills, resilience and confidence to achieve excellence in academic, creative and sporting activities and to develop their cultural appreciation and acceptance, so they are ready to succeed in an ever-changing world.

From EYFS to Key Stage 2, students learn and develop the basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values that will support them as they move through and beyond the primary phase and into secondary. Students follow the EYFS and National Curriculum and staff provide topical, high quality experiences that allow children to investigate, challenge, consolidate and apply their learning. Opportunities are given across academic subjects, the arts, technology and PE for pupils to practise and build upon prior learning so that key concepts become embedded into long term memory. Links are made across the curriculum to ensure transferable, real-life skills are taught, with reading at the heart of this, so that students can independently access the whole curriculum at an age-appropriate level.

Alongside our drive for quality first teaching and engaging lessons is a comprehensive personal development programme. This supports our students in building the confidence and courage needed as they move through the Key Stages and grow as individuals, ready for the next stage of their education. Our enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities augments the taught curriculum providing a richness of experience and engagement with our local community.

Across The Calder Learning Trust, we strive for everybody, everyday to be and do their very best and provide a curriculum that will help them to realise their dreams and aspirations, enabling them to become:

Successful learners who:

• Make good progress across the curriculum from their starting points

• Are able to use their Literacy and Numeracy skills effectively across the curriculum and in a range of practical contexts

• Are excellent communicators - verbally, in writing and through a range of media 

• Are able and ready to think critically, ask questions and solve problems

• Have high aspirations and work hard to achieve their goals

Confident individuals who:

• Can work collaboratively with others because they are ready to listen and to contribute

• Are positive about learning, engaging in and taking responsibility for it

• Are resilient, reflective and responsive

• Are aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and listen and respond positively to feedback on how to improve their learning

Responsible citizens who:

• Have respect for all faiths, cultures and ethnicities

• Are aware of global issues and act locally to improve the world

• Have a strong sense of moral purpose

• Take responsibility for their own learning and actions

• Are aware of the rights of the child and understand that rights come with responsibilities