Curriculum Overview

Here at Topcliffe our HARRI values provide the main ethos and key drivers for our curriculum development. Our curriculum is developed with the aim of supporting all children to become more independent and inquisitive learners as well as to motivate our children (and their families) to develop a real thirst for being lifelong learners.

Our school HARRI values are embedded throughout our curriculum and key topics are planned to support children in their acquisition and development of skills, knowledge and vocabulary. Our curriculum supports us in making learning meaningful to everyone. We intend for it to be motivating and stimulating to encourage children to make Healthy choices, be Aspirational, Respectful of others and Resilient and Independent learners (HARRI).  

Wider curriculum teaching topics have been carefully planned using the Cornerstones 22 curriculum using the engage, develop, innovate and express model. Learning is planned to allow for meaningful cross-curricular links and clear progression of both skills and knowledge. 

Our children are benefiting from wider opportunities to express themselves through their work and are receiving a variety of experiences and development, through school trips, visitors, outdoor ed opportunities and learning outside the classroom experiences, which are then utilised to enhance their learning further. 

Resource Base Curriculum

In our Yews, Rowans and Oaks Resource Base classes our children follow the same curriculum as our mainstream pupils with some adaptations to support access to the curriculum.  In Sunflowers, Lilies, Buttercups and Willows classes our children benefit from a bespoke and individualised curriculum offer. 

The curriculum has been designed to offer inclusive pathways for all pupils that are child centred and build upon existing skills. Our pathways are designed to enable pupils to develop the knowledge and skills required for their next stage of learning and education.

Personalised, bespoke Personal Learning Plans enable all pupils to reach their full potential regardless of their ethnic, socio-economic background, race, gender or ability. Pupils’ individual talents and interests are valued and incorporated into learning opportunities which ensures that pupils are motivated to participate and keen to learn. Priority is placed on pupils developing their personal, learning and thinking skills to form effective relationships and enable them to successfully make a positive contribution to their community. 

Our curriculum is based around themed areas of learning  and the staff team support children to learn within the classroom environment to develop and achieve in areas identified within their learning plans. There are 3 learning pathways (Blue, Yellow and Green) and individual children are assessed against the following areas Cognition, Communication, PSHE, Knowledge of the World, Creative and Technology,  Health and Wellbeing and Physical Skills

Please contact our DHTs Mrs Roberts or Mrs Milligan for further information on our curriculum on 0121 675 6296 or via enquiries@topcliffe.academy