Our Curriculum Intent
Curriculum Intent
At Mapledene, our curriculum is meticulously planned and constantly evolving to respond to the changes in the world outside and to the needs of our children. We recognise the importance of the required skills and knowledge set out in the National Curriculum as building blocks to provide a coherent, carefully-sequenced learning journey. However, we have enriched the curriculum further to ensure that it is bespoke to the needs of our children and their futures. We have drawn on the latest educational research, our knowledge of our local community, and our recognition of the future needs of both the workplace and the planet to develop our four curriculum drivers:
Global ContributionAt Mapledene we believe in the fundamental importance of the children seeing themselves as part of the global community. This driver encompasses many different but inter-linked themes including: an awareness of the diversity of communities but also their similarities and shared values; their impact on the world (both positive and negative in terms of the environment); what they can do ensure sustainability and enhance the lives of others, and the role of democracy in enabling the voices of all to be heard.
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CreativityThis driver develops children’s skills so that they can use their imagination to find innovative solutions to problems, both big and small. It builds upon their natural curiosity to explore and make their own discoveries using both prior and new knowledge as starting points.
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Relationship BuildingTo develop into successful individuals, it is important that children are able to form healthy and positive relationships with both their peers and adults. This driver will help to prepare children for working with others and for developing and maintaining positive social interactions throughout their lives. Effective relationships enhance children’s self-esteem and provide them with the security needed to take risks and reach their full potential.
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Critical ThinkingWe are living in information-rich times and it is important that children are able to filter material to identify which information is relevant, reliable and trustworthy. Children also need to be able to select the appropriate information that is pertinent to the task, ask appropriate questions, consider different points of view, connect ideas and then make decisions and form opinions. |
Our curriculum drivers shape each area of study, recognising that every child begins their learning journey from a different point. To engage and prepare pupils, each topic starts with a ‘hook’ — an event or experience that builds background knowledge and sparks motivation, from large-scale activities. While the hook alone may not secure long-term learning, it provides the foundation and catalyst for knowledge to grow. Learning is then revisited through a carefully planned spiral curriculum to move knowledge into long-term memory. Each topic ends with a purposeful outcome, such as a parent/Carer event or children applying their knowledge in a real-world context.
Reading is central to both personal and academic success. From the very start, we nurture a love of reading, knowing it transforms life chances and enables access to the wider world. At Mapledene, reading is taught systematically, beginning with strong spoken language skills to support word recognition and fluency. Above all, we inspire children to see reading as exciting and intrinsically enjoyable.
At Mapledene, we believe every child can achieve, regardless of individual needs, gender, religion, ethnicity or background. Our inclusive curriculum reflects our diverse community, promotes positive images of all cultures, and is adapted where necessary to ensure accessibility for all. Staff recognise and value the different life experiences children bring and are committed to building their cultural capital so they can thrive alongside their peers.
We foster a Growth Mindset, encouraging every child to aim high and pursue their aspirations. Safety is at the heart of all we do – ensuring pupils are healthy, mentally well and equipped with the skills to protect themselves and others. Through daily opportunities, we instil a culture of commitment, where children and staff dedicate themselves to learning, growing and achieving together.
Our curriculum actively embeds our school values of Safety, Commitment, Aspirations, reflecting our motto: “Belong, Believe, Be YOU: Achieve!”