Our Curriculum 

Learning at our school
At Checkendon, we are committed to providing a curriculum that inspires, excites, and engages every child. Our curriculum is designed to develop not only academic knowledge and skills but also character, resilience, and a love of learning. We believe that a rich and meaningful curriculum is the foundation for the high levels of achievement, outstanding behaviour, and positive attitudes that are evident across our school.

Curriculum intent
Our curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision to unlock the unique voice within each child, fostering a lifelong aspiration of learning excellence in a caring community. We aim to develop confident, curious, and compassionate learners who are prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges of life in modern Britain.

We intend for every child to:

• Develop a love of learning, curiosity, and confidence to question, reason, and think critically.
• Acquire knowledge, skills, and understanding across all subjects, progressing coherently year on year.
• Build resilience, motivation, and independence, with the courage to make mistakes and learn from them.
• Grow spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally, guided by our Christian values of respect, integrity, compassion, courage, and hope.
• Access a broad range of memorable, high-quality experiences, both within and beyond the classroom, that enrich learning and cultural understanding.

Curriculum implementation
Our curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge and skills across all subjects. Teachers use a range of evidence-based teaching approaches, including the “I do, We do, You do” model, to support pupils’ understanding, develop independence, and embed key concepts. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND, EAL, or disadvantage, ensuring every child can achieve their full potential.

Key strategies include:

• High-quality, daily teaching of reading, phonics (Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised), writing and mathematics (White Rose Maths) and weekly lessons in science (White Rose Science), and other foundation subjects.
• A wide variety of teaching techniques, including whole-class, small-group, and individual learning.
• Regular assessment using Sonar Small Steps, formal testing (e.g., NTS, statutory assessments), and formative checks to inform teaching and identify next steps.
• Opportunities for experiential, outdoor, and practical learning, including weekly Forest School for EYFS and Key Stage 1, and visits or workshops to enhance learning across subjects.
• Specialist teaching in music, PE, and art, alongside enriched extracurricular opportunities including clubs, performances, and sporting events. 

Curriculum impact
We monitor the effectiveness of our curriculum through a combination of:

• Pupil progress data, demonstrating attainment and progression across all subjects.
• Pupil, parent, and staff feedback, capturing engagement, enjoyment, and personal development.
• Work scrutiny and lesson observations, ensuring consistency in teaching quality and curriculum coverage.
• The development of Christian values and character, evidenced through pupils’ attitudes, behaviour, and contributions to school and community life.

Through this approach, our children leave Checkendon as confident, curious, and independent learners, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in secondary education and life beyond. Our curriculum not only ensures academic success but nurtures the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural growth of every child in line with our Christian ethos.