Our Curriculum

At Thringstone Primary School, our vision is to Believe and Achieve Together, and our curriculum brings this to life every day. It is ambitious, carefully planned and designed so that every child, whatever their starting point, builds knowledge step by step and leaves us well prepared for secondary school and beyond.

Our curriculum is shaped by three key drivers: Aspiration, Communication and Culture. These run through all areas of learning and help children aim high, express themselves with confidence and develop a strong understanding of both their local community and the wider world.

We teach all National Curriculum subjects alongside Religious Education and PSHE. Early reading is taught through the Little Wandle phonics programme, ensuring a consistent and systematic approach from Pre-School through Key Stage 1.

Where classes are taught in mixed-age groups, learning is carefully sequenced so that knowledge builds over time and children continue to make clear progress. In some subjects we use carefully chosen published resources to support progression and consistency. In others, we have designed our own curriculum, drawing on expert guidance and our local context to make learning meaningful and relevant for our pupils.

Learning at Thringstone is enriched through sport, creative projects, educational visits and strong community links. These experiences help make learning engaging, memorable and purposeful, ensuring every child develops the skills, confidence and curiosity they need to succeed.

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, clear explanations and purposeful assessment so that support and challenge are well matched.

At the centre of our curriculum are the core knowledge and skills for each year group. Around this, pupils deepen their understanding, apply their learning and make connections across subjects where appropriate. All of this is underpinned by our school values and our curriculum drivers of Aspiration, Communication and Culture.

The impact of our curriculum is seen in children who achieve across subjects, communicate with confidence, are proud of their heritage, respect others and leave us ready for the next stage of education.

Curriculum Leadership

The overall curriculum is led by the Headteacher, Mr Swales, working alongside subject leaders to ensure every aspect is carefully planned and delivered. Subject leaders review planning, check progression and monitor standards so that our curriculum remains ambitious and effective for the children of Thringstone.

National Curriculum

Thringstone Primary School follows the National Curriculum for England in all subjects. This ensures that our children experience a broad and balanced education with clear progression through each key stage.

You can view the full National Curriculum content on the Department for Education website.

If you would like more information about what your child is learning in a particular subject, please speak to your child’s class teacher or contact the school office.

Parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education. Please contact the school office if you would like to discuss this.

For further information about how our curriculum is structured and monitored, you can view the school’s Curriculum Policy on the Policies page