Our Curriculum
At Slaithwaite C.E J.I School, we offer a broad and balanced curriculum that is carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of each child. Our curriculum is designed to promote both academic achievement and well-being, ensuring that every child benefits from a rich, varied, and meaningful learning experience throughout their time with us.
We follow the National Curriculum for Key Stages One and Two, alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage for Reception. However, we view these statutory frameworks as foundational elements within a wider, thematic curriculum that inspires creativity, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our curriculum is firmly rooted in our school’s unique context, vision, and values, which underpin an ambitious educational programme for all children. Central to this are our 5Rs—Responsibility, Respect, Resilience, Relationships, and Reflection—which guide our approach to nurturing well-rounded, independent, and motivated learners.
We are proud to be a UNICEF Rights Respecting School, creating a safe and inspiring environment where children’s rights are at the heart of everything we do. This ethos supports the holistic development of the whole child, fostering essential lifelong learning skills, positive social attitudes such as tolerance and respect, and personal growth including confidence and motivation. Our curriculum promotes core values such as human rights, gender equality, justice, and inclusiveness, while also developing critical thinking skills and relevant knowledge that children can apply in their studies, daily lives, and future careers.
Our curriculum framework is composed of two complementary strands: the ‘Aspire’ curriculum and the ‘Growth’ curriculum. Together, these strands form an ambitious and aspirational programme that supports children’s development and growth, equipping them to become resilient, responsible, and valued members of society both now and in the future.
Effective curriculum planning by school leaders ensures a clear structure for delivering knowledge and skills at each stage of learning. High-quality planning encompasses both the taught curriculum and wider learning opportunities, enabling us to carefully assess children’s progress against expected outcomes.
Inclusivity and responsiveness are key principles in our curriculum design. We provide the flexibility needed to support and adapt to the diverse needs of all children, ensuring that every child receives an education that fosters their development and progression, regardless of background or ability.
Beyond academic progress, we are committed to ensuring that children feel happy, safe, engaged, and challenged in their learning. Our aim is to provide a school experience that nurtures independence, resilience, responsibility, and self-motivation, helping children to grow into well-rounded citizens.
We celebrate the unique abilities and strengths of all our children, paying close attention to meeting their individual needs through our excellent outdoor learning environment and ongoing professional development for staff.
