We have developed our own ambitious curriculum where children learn through direct teaching and exploration.  All curriculum subjects have a coherent process of learning, carefully mapped to ensure specific learning goals are met. The curriculum content in all subjects demonstrates a clear progression and application of skills across all areas. We aim to ensure pupils are aspirational, determined, independently minded and confident citizens of the future world.

Our curriculum drives progress through establishing a rigorous knowledge base and a life-long love of learning. We have considered the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required to achieve academic excellence at secondary school and beyond. Subject leaders and teachers then plan backwards from this point to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum which welcomes our children to the world and possibilities of learning and prepares them for their journey through the National Curriculum during their time in Key Stage One and Two. This ensures that pupils in each year group receive a rigorous, coherent and intelligently sequenced curriculum, which builds on what has come before. The curriculum at Exwick Heights Primary School is grounded in the strongest available evidence about how pupils learn and retain knowledge in the long term – focusing in particular on research from cognitive science which underpins our Learning Model.

At Exwick Heights Primary School, subject leaders and teachers think about the curriculum at three levels. The first is the intended curriculum – what we intend pupils to learn. Subject leaders set out this detail meticulously, drawing on their academic knowledge, the National Curriculum and experience of what is necessary to flourish in their subject. The second level is the implemented curriculum; the resources teachers use to deliver the curriculum. Examples of these are the knowledge organisers, bespoke work booklets, schemes of work or resources that have been written for each subject and year group. Finally, we strongly emphasise the importance of the enacted curriculum, where our skilled teachers bring all of this knowledge to life in a way that will be meaningful and exciting for the pupils that they know so well. Teachers at Exwick Heights enact this curriculum to the best effect by drawing upon agreed routines and behaviours that have been shown to have the greatest impact through international research which underpin our teaching model.

Ensuring that the impact on the children is great in all subjects, this includes their progress and attainment but also that their cultural capital is equitable and developed; we want the children to be determined to become successful and leave us as well rounded and confident people - our future lies in their hands and it is our mission to prepare them well for it. This is complemented by our curriculum enrichment offer in terms of visitors, trips and clubs all of which are subsidised for those in receipt of the Pupil Premium. 

We expect learning to have context, with rich learning opportunities that link to and build upon previous learning to enable children to develop transferable knowledge and skills. We maximise learning by carefully weaving our curriculum together so that subjects within a theme connect wherever possible. Our curriculum makes sense - everything has a purpose. It also takes full advantage of our locality and in selecting our areas of study, we consider our local area; what it is now and what it has been through history and how Exwick, the city of Exeter and its surroundings have been shaped over time.

WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR CHILDREN:

• To develop awe and wonder and a lifelong love of learning in a range of subjects.
• To be curious, motivated and excited about coming to school.
• To adopt fundamental British Values and be responsible citizens with strong moral standards and able to contribute to society.
• To develop a sense of their own nationality and culture at the same time as developing a profound respect for the nationalities and cultures of others, especially those throughout Modern Britain.
• To be brave: to try new things without fear of failure.
• To collaborate: to learn with and from others.
• To talk about their learning and to know and remember more.
• To be resilient, resourceful, develop meaningful relationships and reflect upon their learning.
• To see that making mistakes and taking risks is a good thing.
• To be up for a challenge.
• For learning to stick, so that their knowledge can build upon and connect with previous knowledge.

We are confident that the impact of our approach is that we truly offer a broad and balanced curriculum to all pupils. It offers the chance for all pupils to encounter and understand the very best that has been thought, said, sung, danced, made and played. We believe that this will inspire pupils to go on and excel in their chosen field, with the widest range of opportunities available to them.

We encourage parents and carers to be involved as much as possible with their children’s learning; there are regular opportunities for parent and carer engagement with the school through termly children’s progress meetings and numerous school events. Parents can have total confidence that the needs of every child, as they grow and develop, can be catered for throughout their years in education with us at Exwick Heights Primary School.

Parental Right to Withdraw from Religious Education (RE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

At Exwick Heights Primary School we are committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes Religious Education (RE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), in line with the Department for Education (DfE) guidelines. 

Religious Education (RE)

Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of the RE curriculum. This right is set out in the Education Act 1996. If you wish to withdraw your child from RE lessons, please contact the school to discuss your concerns. We are happy to work with you to provide alternative educational activities during this time if necessary.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

From September 2020, Relationships Education is compulsory in all primary schools in England. However, parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all aspects of Sex Education (but not Relationships Education) that falls outside the statutory National Curriculum for Science. Parents who wish to exercise this right should contact the school to discuss their concerns. Following this discussion, should you still wish to withdraw your child, we will respect your request and provide alternative arrangements for your child during these lessons. Requests for withdrawal will be documented and reviewed annually.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Extra-curricular activities are recognised as important aspects of school life giving children the opportunity to extend their experience in new areas and develop skills and particular talents.

Staff are involved in activities and this gives them the opportunity to work with children from other classes. This extends the relationship that exists between children and staff and contributes towards the family ethos of the school.