The Pilgrim Multi Academy Trust Curriculum Statement

Children are taught to ‘Explore’ the curriculum and beyond.

Staff make every effort to enrich the educational experiences by fostering the naturally enquiring minds of our pupils; ensuring that they flourish.

Intent:

As a Church of England Multi Academy Trust we aim to bring together the best people that are dedicated to enabling human flourishing. We support our children to demonstrate core values as part of everyday life and provide opportunities to explore their understanding of how Jesus’ teachings relates to the world they live in. RE is a rich and important part of our Curriculum in which all religions are valued. Jesus said, “I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) This is the precept upon which our MAT is founded.

Our curriculum is planned to be skill based, adventurous, enjoyable and relevant for both pupils and staff. The school day is planned to ensure children gain maximum benefit through an exciting curriculum and other extra-curricular activities. Our staff have a wealth of experience and knowledge and lessons are alive with challenge and involvement for all. Children demonstrate an interest and a keen approach to learning and this is encouraged through the carefully designed topic approaches. Through the School Council, pupils have a voice that is heard. Outdoor learning and ‘Forest School’ is a valued part of every child’s experience; expertise within staff ensures that gross and fine motor skills, social skills and cross-curricular opportunities are fully grasped.

Implementation:

The National Curriculum forms the backbone of our curriculum and the self-developed ‘Pilgrim Progress’ assessment procedures provide support for staff and pupils to monitor their progress against the gaining of key skills and knowledge. The foundation stones to a successful education lie in the acquisition of basic skills. Without these tools for learning, children will not make the educational progress that is expected of them. Throughout The Pilgrim Multi Academy Trust, we place great emphasis on learning skills. Children are challenged to learn number bonds and times tables, are encouraged to apply these skills in a safe and supportive forum. Staff model the love of reading through shared experiences and reading cafes. The Pilgrim School holds the Quality Mark for IT and shares these skills across all schools which are well resourced; children are taught about safety and skills that will prepare them for the technological world we live in. Our aim is that when pupils leave Year Six, they will be highly numerate, literate and IT safe, with a real joy for learning. Science is a particularly rich experience and collaboration with The Primary Science Trust

Well-being is at the heart of our Trust and we invest in the highest levels of pastoral care as a way of nurturing children to access basic skills by ensuring that everyone is best equipped for their days learning. Staff provide different learning styles to allow all pupils to access as many opportunities as possible. We value the Arts for their intrinsic quality, promoting self-esteem, leadership opportunities and providing a creative stimulus. Aside from regular PE/dance, art, technology and music lessons, many art forms, including drama are used in other areas - facilitated by our adventurous curriculum. In addition to this, we organise a number of themed weeks throughout the year which enable children to work alongside professional artists or organisations. ‘Explorers Week, Enterprise Week, ITrent Art competitions and the Pilgrim Mile for example, encourage inclusiveness, collaboration and cultural diversity in every curriculum area.

We are extremely fortunate that so many staff value the contribution made by other activities beyond the classroom. As a result, a range of extra-curricular clubs and activities are offered at lunchtimes and after school all year round. These range from sports clubs, such as netball, dance, table tennis and football, to drama, ICT and craft based clubs. PE is strength with fitness being a focus led by the inspiring involvement with Super Skills sport coaching. In addition, inter school competitions allow pupils to access each school’s uniquely different sites; a range of educational experiences also support our school curriculum. Visits are arranged for all classes and include, among others, trips to the theatre, local historical places and museums, themed days for Romans, and Stone Age and a residential school journey in Year Six. Music is a valued and celebrated part of our curriculum from cornet, and keyboard lessons to singing and a variety of peripatetic options are available. Each school promotes the enjoyment of performance and celebration of the arts.

To find out more about our curriculum, please look at each schools’ website which provide more detail about what each year group is learning each term. Also, please feel free to talk to your child's teacher about our curriculum. 

Impact:

The impact of our curriculum is that by the end of Key Stage 2, the vast majority of pupils have achieved the ‘Expected’ standards, that is, they remember their learning and are fluent in it; some pupils are assessed as having a ‘Greater Depth’ of understanding. We use our self-designed ‘Pilgrim Progress’ Assessment procedures to carefully to ensure pupils are on track to reach the expectations of each year group’s curriculum.

All schools within our Trust are graded ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ and offer a high quality of education that develops the ‘Whole Child’. Schools attain standards above that of their National peers and where necessary are improving year on year. Pupils enjoy learning and all schools have attendance figures considered, outstanding. Parents and extended families communicate their appreciation of the many opportunities provided to share their children’s learning and curriculum. Secondary school provisions comment on the quality of preparation of ‘Pilgrim’ pupils for their next stage of learning.