Our Curriculum Ethos @ CHIS

We want to interest and excite the children into wanting to learn and so we offer a stimulating and challenging curriculum which inspires them and motivates them. We believe in a curriculum model where pupils’ key skills and knowledge are developed across different subjects, themes and opportunities, and that through rich experiences we are able to inspire rich minds.

We offer a topic based approach to the curriculum in order to give learning a real context and purpose. Each topic focus links the knowledge and skills from the National Curriculum and development within each subject. Each topic is underpinned by a concept that will help develop the character of the child and give them an insight, at an early age, into global and social issues. As part of each topic we ask a 'BIG question', and by exploring each question we develop this deep understanding.

Our aim is to offer our pupils a broad and balanced curriculum which focuses on developing the basic skills necessary for learning, the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills across the wider foundation subjects, and a focus on our wellbeing and development. We believe that through these three strands we have a holistic approach to developing the whole child, preparing our pupils for a love of lifelong learning.

Where it makes sense, our learning is linked across the foundation subjects and with English and maths too, but other subjects might get taught in isolation, e.g. RE and PE. Our coverage is carefully plotted across the programme of topics so that the National Curriculum is covered, but is not the extent of the children’s learning.

When possible, our learning extends outside of the school day. We offer a broad range of clubs before and after school and at lunchtimes in order to give the children taste of different experiences in languages, sports and the creative arts. We participate in a range of tournaments and competitions within our borough and signpost children with particular talents to wider clubs and providers.

Reaching for the Stars and our Curriculum - Here’s how our Values relate to our curriculum offer:

Respect
We learn to take responsibility for ourselves, and for each other
We build strong relationships and learn in a secure and safe learning environment
We seek to understand and accept similarities and differences
We value partnerships with families and the community and take every available opportunity to celebrate and share our learning together
We promote equality of opportunity, respect for ourselves, each other and our local and global community

Enjoy
We are positive, we smile and have fun
We inspire in order to motivate
We encourage, challenge and take risks
We sing, we laugh and we play

Achieve
We have high expectations of ourselves, and each other
We believe that we can, so we do
We foster persistence, determination, resilience and humour
We celebrate our efforts
We are lifelong learners
We develop our skills independently and collaboratively
We sometimes fail so we can learn from our mistakes

Care
We care about ourselves, and each other
We develop hope, empathy and compassion
We care about what happens, both in school and beyond
-We build strong relationships
We foster a nurturing, secure and safe learning environment

Healthy
We are a ‘Healthy School’
We learn about being healthy both physically and mentally
We focus on the wellbeing of children and adults in the school community
We promote healthy lifestyles