At Berkeley Primary School we have developed a creative and flexible curriculum which is based on developing skills, knowledge and understanding.  Excellence, fun and creativity are at the heart of our broad and balanced curriculum.  It aims at developing the whole child; intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially.  We provide opportunities through a wide range of activities, both in and beyond the classroom.  Through first-hand experience we endeavour to educate and celebrate the whole child.  In many subjects, the lessons will be enquiry based to develop their inquisitive habits. 

Our children are happy, busy and have a thirst for learning, they are well motivated and have positive attitudes to learning.  We help children accept responsibility in all areas of their education and know that building confidence and self-esteem helps develop each child’s full potential.  Our ambitions for every child are high, we want them to achieve their best and celebrate their own and other people's achievements.  We encourage our children to be self-disciplined and develop a growth mind set towards their learning. 

Our curriculum is challenging within a safe environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.  Through careful assessment and planning we ensure that the needs of individual children are met, offering support and extension where needed.  
 

Our school is in a diverse area.  Through purposeful community links, our pupils are encouraged to embrace diversity and to make positive contributions.  We have chosen themes that reflect the history and background of our children so they can gain an understanding of the world around them and their place in it.  Our curriculum exposes our children to enriching experiences, enhancing what the children are learning with visits, experiences and visitors to school, widening the opportunities they have and building their cultural capital. 

We recognise that reading is an essential building block for learning across all subject areas and developing strong vocabulary is a key skill that our children need to have.  Our reading curriculum is embedded and applied across the curriculum, taking every opportunity to read quality texts, extend and deepen children’s understanding and use of vocabulary.  We want our children to develop a love of reading and be exposed to a range of classic and contemporary literature during their time at Berkeley.  Key vocabulary is also mapped across the curriculum, ensuring it is revisited and to embed learnt vocabulary. 

We have a theme overview to see at a glance what your children are learning.  More detail is then available on the year plans and subject plans. Click on the 'Our Curriculum' tab below for the detail.  The school follows the National Curriculum, to ensure our standards are pitched accordingly and the curriculum meets the needs of our children.  Our curriculum has been carefully mapped to develop knowledge and skills progressively. 

If you would like further information about our curriculum, please contact your child's class teacher or a member of the leadership team.