Curriculum Statement

Our work is underpinned by the Affinity Learning Partnership vision:

‘To ensure that all the children and young people in our care have the opportunity to fulfil their potential through achieving highly regardless of their ability or background.’

Our Academy is reflective of the partnerships we have both within the Trust and within the wider local area.  We have a shared aspiration for our children to be caring; resilient and honest with a personal ambition to achieve their very best.

We all aim to provide a safe, happy and healthy environment in which all children are encouraged to be creative, confident and enquiring individuals in an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and support. We want our children to be successful, to love learning and to move onto the next stage of their education with the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable them to thrive.

The four primary Trust Academies operate in different contexts.  Lansdowne’s vision is modelled in our curriculum, where we believe in advantage over disadvantage. As a school serving a community that has high deprivation, we believe that our pupils deserve a curriculum that does not narrow their life chances. It is our aim that no child is left behind, each individual is given the support and guidance to enable them to develop the skills and acquire the knowledge that will prepare them for the next stage of their school career.

The curriculum programme at Lansdowne is knowledge-engaged and encourages pupils to develop, knowledge, skills and understanding of all the subjects incorporated in the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Key Stage One (KS1) National Curriculum 2014.

The Principals of the four Trust primaries have worked closely together to agree a core curriculum structure based on skills, knowledge and understanding.  This process began by identifying clear progression and sequencing within subject areas.  Each school has built upon this core to meet individual needs and contexts, with the ability for staff across schools to work collaboratively.

Our curriculum aims are to develop good academic outcomes and at least expected progress for all through:

• Pupils having guidance and support to develop an understanding of what it takes to be a successful learner
• Pupils understanding that it is acceptable to make mistakes in their work as this forms part of the learning process
• Themes supporting extra-curricular opportunities such as trips, visitors and after school clubs for pupils.

Moreover, we firmly believe to enhance the life chances of our pupils, our curriculum must actively promote the acquisition of a broad and academic vocabulary. Put simply, we believe that knowing more words makes you smarter, and our curriculum is very intent on ensuring this becomes a reality for all of our children.