Concept Curriculum
We follow what is known as the ‘Concept Curriculum’. It is skills based and knowledge rich. It means we cover less because we believe our children should have the opportunity to study areas of the curriculum in greater depth.
We want our children to produce exceptional outcomes while developing their independence, curiosity and creativity. We want to produce collaborators, innovators, leaders and, more than anything else, young people who understand what it means to be human.
Our curriculum celebrates our locality and we are very proud to be at the heart of a thriving school and village community. We seek to make use of this in order to instil a sense of belonging in our children and staff.
Children are encouraged to express themselves, and explore new avenues of learning.
Mrs Furness, Headteacher
Our curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced and fully inclusive of all children. High expectations and a love for learning are at the centre of all we do and we want our pupils to be exceptionally confident when talking about their learning. Authentic outcomes within a concept based curriculum aim to challenge and inspire our children to be successful both academically and socially.
We focus on developing basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. We aim to embed knowledge in the long term memory of our children so that they can make links and apply it to new learning and to life in general.
Our curriculum prepares pupils for life in the wider community. It provides excellent support for pupils’ talents and interests and encourages them beyond the school. Developing pupils’ resilience, confidence and independence is central to our ethos, as is the promotion of an excellent physical and mental health programme.
Our overall intention is to create well rounded citizens for life who can actively and positively contribute to the society in which they live.
Each term our children will explore a question. Each question transcends subject areas and it links to what are known as concepts. These ‘concepts’ inform our thoughts, beliefs and most aspects of our thinking. They give us the opportunity to create connectedness and see the world through a much wider perspective. They also help us to tap into personal learning and thinking skills.
Autumn Term
Discover: What do you celebrate?
Spring Term
Explore: What grows like a beanstalk?
Summer Term
Create: Is outdoors the place to be?
Autumn Term
Discover: What makes me unique?
Spring Term
Explore: What makes the world around us?
Summer Term
Create: Can you tell a tale?
Autumn Term
Discover: Was the past a blast?
Spring Term
Explore: Where can Disney take us?
Summer Term
Create: Do we live in a wonderful world?
Autumn Term
Discover: Does being brave make you stronger?
Spring Term
Explore: What does it mean to belong?
Summer Term
Can you create the feeling of Hakuna mattata?
Autumn Term
Discover: How did people from the past shape the world?
Spring Term
Explore: Are we stewards of the world?
Summer Term
Create: Would you rather stand out or fit in?
Autumn Term
Discover: How much power is too much power?
Spring Term
Explore: Is Europe a great continent?
Summer Term
Create: Is it right to always do the right thing?
Autumn Term
Discover: What makes Britain great?
Spring Term
Explore: Do we always appreciate everything we’ve got?
Summer Term
Create: What is true beauty according to you?
Autumn Term
Discover: Is change always a good thing?
Spring Term
Explore: What makes the earth angry?
Summer Term
Create: Does everyone’s opinion matter?
The approach we take through our subject areas
How we approach the design and an overview to the intended outcomes across all subjects at Belthorn Academy.
See how our Concept Curriculum is being brought to life across our Tribes this term.
Learning doesn’t always take place in the classroom. Learn more about our Forest School.
What better way to ‘light the sparks’ than try new and interesting activities.