Curriculum

Our intent is to develop every student into a confident, versatile, and articulate writer who can communicate effectively across a range of purposes and audiences. We aim to foster a deep appreciation for language and the power of the written word, equipping students with the skills necessary for academic success and future employment.

Our aims for our students:

• Develop technical proficiency: Master the fundamentals of spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG) to ensure clarity and accuracy.

• Write for purpose and audience: Understand how to adapt their style, tone, and vocabulary based on the context, from formal reports to creative narratives.

• Cultivate creativity and voice: Encourage experimentation with language, rhetorical devices, and structure to develop a unique personal voice.

• Engage with the writing process: Understand writing as a recursive process of planning, drafting, editing, and redrafting, using feedback effectively at each stage.

• Build knowledge through writing: Use writing as a tool for thinking, recording, synthesising, and evaluating information across all curriculum subjects.

Speaking and Listening (Oracy)

Our aim is to develop every student's confidence and competence in expressing themselves clearly, listening critically, and engaging constructively in dialogue. We view Oracy as a foundational skill that drives thinking, deepens understanding, and enhances communication for all academic and personal contexts.

Key goals for our curriculum are to ensure students:

• Speak fluently and confidently: Articulate thoughts, ideas, and arguments using Standard English, a varied vocabulary, and appropriate register for the audience and purpose.

• Listen actively and critically: Process information effectively, identify key points, challenge or affirm ideas respectfully, and use questions to clarify or extend understanding.

• Master the modes of oracy: Develop skills across the four strands of Oracy: Linguistic (vocabulary and structure), Cognitive (reasoning and thinking), Physical (voice, gesture, posture), and Social/Emotional (collaboration and turn-taking).

• Build knowledge through talk: Use purposeful discussion, debate, and verbal synthesis as a tool for learning and consolidating subject knowledge across the curriculum.

We believe reading is the essential gateway to learning and success. We endeavour to promote reading across all aspects of our curriculum, providing students with abundant opportunities to engage with a variety of high-quality texts and significantly develop their comprehension skills.

For students who require targeted support with foundational skills, we implement a dedicated synthetic phonics programme and a core reading programme. These resources are used for independent reading, group work, and focused intervention sessions.

This balanced approach teaches the segmentation of words for spelling and rigorously enhances phonemic awareness skills. Students engage in phonics activities and games tailored to their appropriate phase within individualised intervention and phonics sessions. Recognising diverse learning needs, some students also utilise a whole word reading approach to effectively learn new vocabulary and sentences.

We actively foster a love of reading and sharing quality texts. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of enrichment events designed to celebrate and enjoy literature, including:

• Reading-themed assemblies and lessons

• School-wide reading competitions

• Dedicated events such as Book Week and Poetry Week

• In-depth author studies

• These activities are essential for cultivating positive reading attitudes and ensuring that every student becomes a confident, enthusiastic lifelong reader.

Please see our Reading Strategy which has more details on our approach to reading. 

Our curriculum ensures comprehensive coverage across all essential areas of mathematics, including: calculation, data handling, shape and space, geometry, measurement, and mental arithmetic. We regularly teach problem-solving skills and provide ample opportunities for students to apply these concepts to real-life, relevant contexts.

We employ a variety of pedagogical approaches to develop strong fluency and mathematical reasoning skills. This includes the strategic use of:

• Practical, hands-on activities and concrete resources.

• Visual examples and mathematical games.

• Targeted problem-solving tasks.

To maintain motivation and engagement across the school, we conduct whole-school Maths Challenges. These challenges feature real-life problems designed to enthuse students and celebrate the successful application of diverse mathematical skills.

Where necessary, we provide multisensory and individualised interventions to help students develop key mathematical skills and overcome specific barriers to learning. This ensures all students are supported to achieve their full potential in mathematics.

Science at Roundwood is designed to foster a sense of wonder and natural curiosity about the world. We encourage students to develop and employ a range of essential scientific skills, including questioning, researching, and observing, to confidently work in a scientific manner.

We ensure scientific language and vocabulary are explicitly taught and progressively built upon. Key concepts and topics are regularly revisited, allowing students to deepen their understanding and articulate complex ideas with precision.

Engagement is promoted through our annual whole-school Science Week.' During this dedicated week, we explore the subject through a range of engaging, hands-on science experiments, reinforcing the practical application of scientific principles.

We also complete cross-curricular activities and events throughout the year, which includes scientific enquiries.

The Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE), including Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, is fundamental to preparing students to be safe, responsible, and economically resilient citizens.

Our curriculum equips students with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and practical skills necessary to navigate modern life, make positive choices, and achieve personal wellbeing. It is based around core themes detailed below. 

1. Relationships Education:

   • Focusses on respectful interactions within families, friendships, and communities.

   • Teaches boundaries, conflict resolution, and consent across all relationships.

   • Covers the benefits and risks of online relationships.

2. Living in the Wider World:

   • Promotes inclusivity and respecting diversity (including protected characteristics).

   • Develops effective digital citizenship and safe, responsible use of social media.

3. Health and Wellbeing:

   • Empowers students to manage their mental health (emotions, stress, and anxiety).

   • Covers physical health (diet, exercise, sleep, hygiene), first aid, and factual information on the risks of substance misuse.

4. Sex Education (SRE):

   • Taught sensitively and factually, covering puberty, reproduction, and conception.

   • Explicitly teaches the importance of consent and provides age-appropriate information on sexuality and sexual health.

The programme is delivered in a safe, inclusive environment, often integrating external expertise and pastoral support.

Our ICT curriculum aims to develop students who are confident, competent, and safe users of technology for success in modern life.

The programme focuses on the practical application of essential skills:

• Information and Data Handling: Organising, analysing, and presenting data effectively using spreadsheets and databases.

• Digital Communication: Using communication tools for a range of purposes safely.

• Content Creation: Efficiently creating and formatting complex documents and presentations, while ethically integrating different media types.

• Cyber Literacy: Understanding online safety, security practices (like strong passwords), and critically evaluating online sources.

The PE curriculum is designed to support a lifelong commitment to health and active living. We build student competence and confidence across a broad range of physical activities, promoting skill progression and mental wellbeing.

Our programme provides comprehensive coverage across:

• Games: Invasion, Net and Wall, and Striking and Fielding (e.g., football, basketball, cricket).

• Athletics: Focusing on track and field skills (running, jumping, throwing).

• Challenge: Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA) for teamwork and resilience.

Beyond physical proficiency, the curriculum develops essential personal, social, and cognitive skills:

• Physical Proficiency: Developing fluency, control, and tactical awareness.

• Personal Skills: Nurturing leadership, cooperation, and resilience through team challenges.

• Health Literacy: Gaining a critical understanding of the body, health, and fitness for lifelong activity.

Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to inspire creativity and systematically develop artistic skills. Students engage in a comprehensive programme that covers fundamental techniques including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art.

We expose students to the work of famous artists and significant art movements to foster an appreciation for diverse art forms. This component ensures students understand the historical and cultural context that shapes creative expression.

The curriculum is structured around the progression of skill development, critical thinking, and creative expression:

Ultimately, our art curriculum seeks to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the arts, successfully nurturing well-rounded and creatively expressive individuals.

Our curriculum deliberately extends beyond the National Curriculum to provide extensive cultural capital and enriching experiences. The primary focus is to raise aspirations, foster personal pride in achievement, and ensure learning has purpose. We provide a highly inclusive environment where all learners, regardless of ability, are supported to reach their potential through targeted support or greater depth tasks.

Promoting Positive Mental Health & Wellbeing

We prioritise positive mental health and wellbeing, recognising its direct link to achievement. Our role is to equip students to manage stress and change, understand mental health, and know where to seek help.

Key Provisions:

• PSHE & RSE: Central to the curriculum, teaching skills in emotional regulation, resilience, relationships, and health (physical, emotional, and social).

• Nurture Provision: Fully trained staff offer 1:1 or small group support for students experiencing significant life challenges (e.g., anxiety, bereavement). Support is always pupil-centred.

• Physical Health: Includes at least four hours of PE weekly and promoting healthy eating.

• Targeted Support: Disadvantaged and vulnerable children are closely monitored through a ‘Championing’ approach to remove barriers and ensure access to enrichment.

• Therapeutic Strategies: Peaceful problem-solving and other strategies are taught in whole-school sessions (e.g., Circle Time) to manage feelings and disputes.

Cultural Capital & Community Engagement

• Arts & Performance: Opportunities in Music (composing, performing) and Drama (storytelling, performances), which positively impact physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

• Enrichment Activities: Includes Themed Weeks (e.g., Anti-Bullying, Black History Month), Educational Visits, and After-School Community Clubs to broaden life experiences.

• External Links: Visitors and partners (e.g., QPR, Teach Rock) deliver specialised talks and workshops, linking students to the wider community and outside expertise.

• Global and Social Action: Students discuss global topics (Our World) and are actively involved in charity work and fundraising, fostering citizenship and awareness.

Student Voice

We promote active citizenship through numerous opportunities for pupils to take on responsibilities (volunteering, leadership). This participation is empowering, developing self-confidence, leadership skills, and self-esteem, preparing them for the challenges of adult and working life while giving them a voice in the school community.

Read the Beckmead Trust Careers Programme as followed by Roundwood School and Community Centre.