We aim for our curriculum to inspire pupils to enjoy learning, have big ambitions and high expectations of themselves. We are an outward looking school, with a strong sense of community and pastoral care and we aim to create a curriculum that meets the needs of our children.

As a rural school in Essex, there are three areas sitting at the heart of our curriculum that we consider to of particular importance to our children, living in this community:

• development of an understanding of diversity, culture and faiths which are in our wider community, but not necessarily on our doorstep
• development of the importance of protecting our natural world and enabling sustainability of resources for their future
• development of a balanced, healthy lifestyle ensuring positive mental health both for the present and their future lives

While emphasis is placed on children learning core skills of English and Maths, we place great value on developing the ‘whole child’ and provide an engaging programme of study in all curriculum areas, making strong links to topic areas in writing and ensuring reasoning and real-life opportunities are provided in maths. Our curriculum is rich in knowledge and skills, exciting and balanced and taught in a variety of ways to enable each individual child to develop academically, emotionally, creatively, socially and physically. Our curriculum enables the children to share ideas, express their opinions and apply knowledge and skills learned in a wide range of meaningful contexts; it offers opportunities for all children to investigate, question, debate and challenge; it enables all children to flourish and to be the very best they can be.

Children from Year 1 to Year 6 follow a rich, broad and balanced curriculum which includes English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, History, Geography, PSHE, PE, Art, Design and Technology, Computing and French. Children in the Foundation Stage class experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live, through the seven areas of learning: communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.

Daily assemblies embed our vision, values, and develop the three key areas sitting at the heart of our curriculum. They also offer a time for reflection, a time to value the amazing world in which we live and a time for all children to listen, share and contribute to the ethos which underpins learning at Great Leighs

Curriculum Intent

An ambitious, aspirational, broad and thorough curriculum is in place.  It is effectively and coherently planned to build on prior knowledge and skills and to develop progression within and across subject areas as well as to develop curiosity and questioning skills.  Subject leaders have good knowledge and understanding of their particular curriculum areas, have a vision and plan for their subjects and support all staff in delivery.  The curriculum develops key transferable skills, such as communication, concentration, perseverance, co-operation, imagination and self- improvement, so our children are well equipped to access their current curriculum and are prepared for the next stage of their education. They are enthused and motivated by class teachers and the subject so they can flourish, reach and exceed their potential academically, physically and artistically.

Our school curriculum teaches children how to be safe and happy in school and understand how to keep themselves and others safe. It empowers them to take risks without fear of failure, and express and manage their own emotions.

The curriculum is reviewed regularly to ensure it is balanced and needs driven and allows for curiosity and excitement from learners.

Building Learning Power

In Spring 2024, we launched Guy Claxton’s Building Learning Power across our school to compliment the knowledge-based curriculum and provide children with the necessary skills to succeed in learning now and in further education. In January 2025, we invited parents in for a workshop to explain the rationale behind Building Learning Power and the positive impact that it is having on the Children of Great Leighs Primary School. The PowerPoint presentation from this event can be accessed via this link – Building Learning Power – A Guide for Parents.