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Curriculum Overview
Our Curriculum Intent
At Ladysmith Junior School, our curriculum is an expression of our Ladysmith DNA. Rooted in our diverse, caring and ambitious community, it is designed to ensure that every child belongs, grows and thrives.
We provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that develops children's knowledge, skills and understanding while celebrating the unique strengths of every individual. Strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics are central to this. In particular, we believe that confident, fluent reading unlocks the whole curriculum, enabling children to learn with increasing independence, curiosity and creativity. As a result, we place language acquisition and reading at the heart of our curriculum: using rich high-quality texts to inspire and engage and explicitly teaching key vocabulary across the curriculum.
Our curriculum extends beyond academic achievement. We want children to approach learning and challenges with courage, determination and positivity, developing the resilience to learn from mistakes and persevere when things are difficult. Through rich experiences within and beyond the classroom, we broaden horizons, raise aspirations and encourage children to embrace learning with curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm.
Our values of Respect, Perseverance and Finding the Joy are woven through everything we do. We have high expectations for every child, while ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. We are committed to identifying and overcoming barriers so that all children, including those with SEND and those experiencing disadvantage, can access, enjoy and succeed within our curriculum.
How We Bring Our Curriculum to Life
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that knowledge, understanding and skills grow and connect over time. Teachers build upon what children already know, identify gaps in foundational knowledge and provide precise support so that every child can progress and thrive.
High-quality teaching brings our curriculum to life. Our agreed approaches to pedagogy provide consistency across the school while allowing teachers to respond to individual needs. Purposeful talk, modelling, practice and effective feedback help children secure knowledge, make connections and become increasingly confident and independent learners.
Learning extends beyond the classroom through visits, visitors, residentials, sport, the arts, clubs and community experiences. These opportunities allow children to discover their strengths and interests, build connections with others and the wider world, and importantly, find the joy in learning and new experiences. Throughout this, children learn to treat others with kindness, empathy and dignity, recognising their role within a diverse community.
The Difference Our Curriculum Makes
By the time children leave Ladysmith, we want them to have developed secure knowledge and strong academic foundations alongside the curiosity, creativity, resilience and confidence to embrace their next steps.
We want children to know who they are and what they are capable of. They will have experienced success, learnt and grown from mistakes, discovered and celebrated their individual strengths, and developed the confidence to make their voice heard while listening to and valuing others.
Above all, we want every child to leave carrying their Ladysmith DNA with them: showing Respect, demonstrating Perseverance and continuing to Find the Joy in learning, opportunity and life.
Autumn 1 Learning Web - Year 6
Autumn 1 Learning Web - Year 5Autumn 1 Learning Web - Year 4
Autumn 1 Learning Web - Year 3
If you would like any more information on the school curriculum please contact Mr Smith for an informal conversation via the school email address below.