We offer a knowledge-engaged curriculum. It is a balance between knowledge and skills. We make links between subjects to make curriculum relevant and meaningful to children, teach the skills necessary to apply what they have learned as well as ensuring they learn a body of knowledge needed for future education and life long learning.

It provides children with rich memorable experiences, always taking into account the local context of our families and the individual needs of all of our children, enabling them to build the knowledge, skills and cultural capital to be successful both educationally in life. High standards of knowledge and skills in English (including a love of reading) and Maths is essential , as we are acutely aware that attaining the Expected Standards in these core subjects equates to better opportunities and life chances for many of our children.

At Lionwood Junior School we have high aspirations for the children who attend our school and strongly believe in the importance of communication, reading, writing and mathematics as the core skills which will give children the confidence to learn and achieve within and beyond the school.

The Curriculum is driven by these principles:

• Meaningful and varied opportunities to use and apply English and Maths skills/knowledge within a broad curriculum.

This means: Language and Communication (including development of a rich and ambitious Vocabulary), Writing across a range of subjects, chances to develop speaking and listening skills in all areas of the curriculum (including presentations), Reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction and the application of Maths knowledge and skills connected to learning in all areas.

• The need for our children to gain cultural capital that they would not otherwise gain due to a social deprivation. (Cultural capital is accumulated cultural knowledge that confers social status and power.)

This means: That children should gain the knowledge of key events and people, places and ideas that allow them to have the opportunities to succeed within society at every level. Children are exposed to the lives, work and contribution by valued cultural figures and events.  There is an acknowledgement that the historical and current prejudice and discrimination that exists needs to be challenged, and that this is part of redefining what cultural capital is in our modern world, as well as addressing the social mobility of girls and marginalised groups. 

• Using the local context including diversity within the school and community so that the children can see the connections between their own lives, history and the environment. Providing children with the knowledge of where they can go locally in order to continue to expand and continue their learning.

This means: that children should be aware of the history, geographical and cultural context they live in as well as their family’s heritage.  To understand they are part of a multicultural society and what this means for their life experience and the experience of others. To know where to go to expand their knowledge and skills of areas of the curriculum that interest them.

• Developing knowledge of good mental and physical health by keeping themselves safe, maintaining successful relationships, effective self-care and resilience in the face of difficulties.

This means that there is a strong and robust programme of PSHE that teaches them how to face the challenges of a modern world, by giving them knowledge about how to keep themselves safe, make successful relationships, how to support others and gives them strategies to prevent and manage anxiety, trauma and depression.  That there is a full programme of Physical Education that educates them in the importance of physical health, teaches them skills and instils a lifelong habit of physical exercise.

• Knowledge and understanding of Climate Change

This means: that children know that climate change is occurring and what urgent changes need to be made on a global scale to address this.  They are taught this carefully so they do not develop ‘climate anxiety’.

At Lionwood, every child will achieve their own personal excellence by making rapid progress in their academic, personal and social development.  This will empower them to succeed at high school and beyond.

We go the extra mile to ensure that inclusion is a reality for all of our children and that everyone feels valued and a part of our learning community.