Our curriculum is designed to be ambitious, inclusive and enriching for the children in our school community. At Tudor Grange St James, our curriculum prepares the children to become thriving citizens of the future in an ever-changing world. While aligned with the National Curriculum, our curriculum is uniquely shaped to reflect the values, aspirations and context of our school. We are a reading-rich community, committed to ensuring that reading underpins learning across all subjects so that pupils develop a rich vocabulary and the confidence to access increasingly complex ideas. Our values of Love, Faith and Courage are woven through every aspect of our curriculum, and our strong Christian ethos is the bedrock upon which our curriculum is built.

We are driven by the belief that a well-sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum empowers pupils to thrive both academically and personally. Knowledge is carefully constructed so that it builds progressively on prior learning, enabling children to make meaningful connections, deepen understanding and apply their learning with increasing independence. Our vision is to prepare pupils to contribute positively to society – curious, articulate, respectful and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead of them.

Intent

A high priority is placed on the core elements of English, Mathematics and Science, which provide the academic foundation for our pupils’ success. Our core curriculum is centred on mastery, enabling all pupils to become fluent readers, purposeful writers and skilled mathematicians. Number fluency, reasoning and problem-solving sit at the heart of mathematics, while reading and writing are strengthened through text-based learning, explicit teaching of sentence structures and the purposeful composition of a wide range of genres. We are proud of the strong partnership we share with St James the Great C of E Church. Through regular sessions both in school and at church, our children benefit from opportunities that enrich their learning and strengthen our Christian ethos.

The wider foundation curriculum is taught thematically, providing a rich, stimulating and enjoyable sequence of learning enhanced through visits, workshops and real-world experiences. We adapt our curriculum to ensure that it is fully accessible to all pupils, supporting them to understand the world, communicate clearly, think critically and develop as compassionate and informed individuals.

Our curriculum teaches children metacognition and self-regulation, embedding daily routines that help pupils understand themselves as learners. Through this, pupils gain awareness of their strengths and areas for development and the strategies they have to improve their learning. Children are consistently challenged to deepen their understanding and showcase their knowledge through carefully designed tasks in each lesson.

Personal development is woven throughout the curriculum. Our children embody our core values of Love, Faith and Courage, and reflect these personal qualities in all aspects of their learning. They develop their understanding of fundamental British values and learn to value diversity, inclusion and difference. Through exposure to inspirational individuals who represent a range of backgrounds, communities and experiences, pupils see real-life examples of resilience and aspiration.

Implementation

Core subjects are taught in a structured and coherent sequence, with our enthusiastic and skilled staff team breaking down tasks into manageable chunks to facilitate the very best learning journey for our children. Carefully designed units ensure knowledge builds cumulatively, enabling pupils to revisit, reinforce and extend their understanding.

Our foundation subjects are delivered through engaging, knowledge-rich themes that spark curiosity and situate learning in meaningful contexts. These units are enriched through trips, visits and hands-on experiences that broaden pupils’ cultural capital and bring learning to life.

We are proud to be part of the thriving Tudor Grange Academy Trust, whose subject specialists enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum. This partnership ensures that pupils benefit from high-level expertise and specialist subject knowledge, and staff are well-supported in leading their subject areas.

Quality teaching is prioritised every day. Teachers receive ongoing professional development through instructional coaching, peer support and subject-specific training to maintain high standards of pedagogical practice. Our reading provision includes daily reading sessions, a structured phonics programme, whole-class reading lessons, vibrant reading corners and library access for every class.

Our curriculum extends beyond the school day. Enrichment opportunities -including workshops, educational visits, music lessons, STEM sessions and sports clubs – provide pupils with a wide range of experiences that nurture confidence, curiosity and aspiration. Leadership opportunities, such as school council, Chaplaincy team and playground leaders, further support pupils’ personal development.

Impact

Effective assessment is used consistently to inform teaching, identify gaps and measure progress across the curriculum. Children receive timely and meaningful feedback, helping them understand what they have achieved and what they need to do next. At Tudor Grange St James, our children are nurtured to become inquisitive and aspirational learners, who use feedback to improve their skills and understanding.

As a result of our carefully sequenced curriculum, inclusive ethos and rich learning experiences, pupils make strong progress and are well-prepared for the next stage of their education. They develop secure foundational knowledge, strong learning habits and positive attitudes that support long-term success.

Most importantly, pupils leave us as confident, compassionate and motivated learners – ready to face the world, contribute to their communities and embrace future challenges with a sense of care, ambition and purpose.