Thringstone Primary School

Our Curriculum

At Thringstone, our vision is to Believe and Achieve Together. Our curriculum brings this to life. It is ambitious, carefully planned and makes sure every child, whatever their starting point, builds knowledge step by step and leaves us ready for secondary school and beyond.

Our three curriculum drivers – Aspiration, Communication and Culture – shape learning across school. They help children aim high, explain their learning with confidence and understand both their local heritage and the wider world.

We teach all the National Curriculum subjects alongside Religious Education and PSHE. In some areas we use carefully chosen published schemes to guarantee clear progression and high-quality teaching. In others, we have designed our own curriculum, drawing on expert advice and our local context to make learning relevant for our children.

We also enrich learning with sports, creative projects, themed days and strong community links, so that every child experiences education that is exciting, memorable and meaningful.

Our Three Drivers

Aspiration

We want children to aim high and believe they can succeed. By showing them what is possible, we help them broaden their horizons and develop ambition for the future.

You’ll see this when:

  • our knowledge-rich curriculum is sequenced carefully so children know more and remember more over time

  • inspirational role models are shared through assemblies and displays across school

Communication

Being able to communicate clearly matters in every part of life. At Thringstone, children develop their speech, reading and writing so they can express themselves well and listen to others with respect. We also want them to feel confident explaining what they know in each subject, showing they understand it deeply.

You’ll see this when:

  • children take part in class discussions, debates and presentations that build oracy

  • a carefully chosen reading spine introduces pupils to a wide range of voices, cultures and experiences

  • pupils explain key knowledge from subjects like history, science or geography in their own words, showing they can connect ideas and talk about their learning with confidence

  • older pupils take on leadership roles such as Sports Ambassadors, Music Ambassadors and Team Captains, using their communication skills to support younger children and represent the school

  • Year 6 pupils act as play coaches and music ambassadors, helping younger children to build friendships and confidence

Culture

We want children to understand their own identity and the wider world they are growing up in. That means celebrating our local heritage while also preparing pupils for life in modern Britain.

You’ll see this when:

  • history lessons include local topics such as Palitoy, the Swannington Incline, Coal Mining, Charles Booth and Coalville in World War II

  • pupils learn about different cultures and faiths through RE, literature and assemblies, building respect and understanding for others

  • diversity is celebrated through the curriculum and reading spine, with children meeting different voices and experiences

  • pupils take part in link school projects, meeting children from different backgrounds and learning from their experiences

  • sustainability runs through topics such as Year 6 English, where pupils study endangered animals and debate whether they should be saved

What this means for your child

Your child will experience a broad and balanced curriculum that:

  • gives clear progress in every subject

  • makes learning exciting and memorable through real experiences

  • builds creativity and imagination alongside knowledge and skills

  • connects local heritage with national and global themes

The result is children who achieve well, grow in confidence and are ready for secondary school.


Implementation and Impact

Teachers plan units of work that build securely on prior learning and lead to clear outcomes. Lessons include ambitious vocabulary, real-life connections and purposeful assessment so that support and challenge are well matched.

This diagram shows how our curriculum is structured. At its heart are the core knowledge and skills for each year group. Around this, children learn unit-specific knowledge and broader themes. All of this is underpinned by our school values and our three curriculum drives of Aspiration, Communication and Culture.

The impact of our curriculum is seen in children who achieve strongly across a wide range of subjects, communicate with confidence, are proud of their heritage, respect other faiths and cultures, and leave us ready to make a positive contribution to society.

Curriculum Leadership

The overall curriculum is led by Mr Swales, Headteacher, working alongside subject leaders to ensure every aspect is carefully planned and delivered. Subject leaders review long-term and medium-term planning, check progression, and monitor standards across their areas. Together, they make sure our curriculum remains ambitious, relevant and effective for the children of Thringstone.