Henley’s Vision

At Henley CofE Primary school we strive to provide an atmosphere in which we can all thrive together. A strong Christian foundation sits at the heart of the school. Through a broad range of memorable learning experiences children have the opportunity to engage thematically with our diverse, creative and inclusive curriculum. Our Henley family endeavour to inspire and encourage a love of learning and foster highly positive relationships. 

As a Church school, the teachings of the bible guide and influence our practice. Being part of the Coventry Diocesan Multi-Academy trust, we, like the other schools within our Multi-Academy Trust, work towards ensuring that pupils we serve experience a ‘life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10). At Henley in Arden, our Governing body, Leaders and Staff are committed to achieving this through empowering our children - Inspiring educational excellence for all’. Our curriculum's purpose is to develop the children's understanding, personality and gifts bestowed upon them by god in order for them to live their life to its fullest. Every aspect of school life, including the curriculum, has been constructed around our school vision life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10).

Our Curriculum Rationale

We have constructed a curriculum which prepares the children of Henley in Arden academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually to be active and successful participants of British and Global society. The planning and delivery of our curriculum is underpinned by the Arden Forest MAT Christian values, interlinked with our school vision and twelve Christian Virtues. Every class has the same topic – this is to allow an inclusive curriculum for all children at Henley, including Tillman Lodge. We seek to carefully develop subject knowledge, through our progression of skills and knowledge documents, personalising learning to individual children’s learning needs.

Our sequential knowledge curriculum begins in EYFS, so that students can successfully access a broad and balanced curriculum throughout their education at Henley in Arden Church Primary School.  This is underpinned by structured phonics, writing and mathematics lessons in EYFS to ensure core procedural knowledge is secured and that transition into KS1 is successful.

During KS1, focus is placed on reading, writing and mathematics. We aim all students are reading by the age of six so that they can successfully access a broad and balanced curriculum. Through the Mathematics, we ensure core mathematical knowledge is mastered and practised. Music, PE, creative arts, humanities and science are carefully planned with support from curriculum teams to ensure students are making links across and throughout the curriculum. Throughout KS2, we seek to carefully develop subject knowledge and build clear sequences in our students’ minds, allowing them to begin to think more coherently, critically, and creatively.  Working in subject teams, the curriculum leaders are equipped to design carefully crafted sequences of learning.

As teachers and leaders of our Learning Community, we ensure that our curriculum and teaching is informed by the latest evidential research from cognitive science about memory, knowledge retention and practice in order to help students remember, and apply, the best of what has been thought and said. We endeavour to make knowledge stick for all learners so that all children are equipped to enable them to be their best selves.

Our curriculum is driven by the principle that knowledge empowers children. Our curriculum is uniquely challenging and provides coherent subject matter, developed by enthusiastic and knowledgeable subject leads, to ensure that children develop broad and deep subject understanding.

 We develop a school community with learners who have an infectious desire to acquire new knowledge. Through the prioritisation of a knowledge rich culture, we ensure that all children have broad enough understanding about the world that they can transform it in the future. In our school, we believe all pupils, regardless of background or needs have the right to access the best that has been said and thought, so that they live their life to their fullest!

Curriculum Theme Overview

Our ethos and Christian virtues are a foundation stone to the design and delivery of our curriculum. We know that the development of character doesn’t happen by chance but by purpose and intention: it is therefore an explicit part of our curriculum. We therefore work hard at preparing our students to be the best version of themselves not just for today but for their futures too - I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13.

Our curriculum has been designed to ensure our young people thrive, achieve and flourish. It enables them to understand what it is to be human and equips them for life so that they become kind and model citizens. Our curriculum not only develops our young people academically but socially, emotionally, culturally, physically and spiritually.

Whilst our knowledge-rich curriculum is designed to ensure the very best academic outcomes for our young people using the latest research in how the brain and memory works, it is about so much more than simply securing great results. It is about our academy’s determination to achieve excellence with equity and integrity: where we bring advantage to the disadvantaged, where barriers to learning are successfully overcome and there are no limits to the achievement and ambition of our most able.

The curriculum is implemented effectively through the subject’s core concepts, developed for each curriculum area. This enables children to assimilate new information into growing schema as they move through the academy, on a two-year rolling curriculum. By presenting new information to students as another example of these core concepts it allows them to process information in relation to previously learned knowledge and make connections. The curriculum is mapped using these core concepts. We plan for progression using the key points outlined in our progression documents. Lesson content is planned towards these progression points and follows the model of direct instruction, shared and modelled practice before culminating in independent practice and mastery.

Our curriculum is adapted to empower all learners to understand, retain and build-upon the best of what has been said and thought. Specific needs are met through differentiated curriculum provision, evidenced based interventions and environmental adaptions. We have shaped our curriculum to encourage and celebrate differences. We want our children to value, respect and support others with their specific and individual needs.

Our curriculum focuses on and draws upon a diverse range of inspirational people who represent global citizens. These inspirational people have overcome adversities by applying our school values and developing a strong and secure knowledge base. We believe they demonstrate some of the best of what has been thought and said throughout time – they provide a concrete real-life example for our children to be inspired by and aspire to be like.

Our children will develop emotional intelligence and awareness, becoming confident and independent learners. They are given opportunities to debate, discuss and explore the social, cultural and ethical diversities our society has to offer. Growing a knowledge of our local and global communities which enables our learners to become responsible and independent thinkers.

Understanding their world and the communities within it, enables our children to work effectively with others, valuing the different contributions they and others make – they also begin to recognise the limitations of their own work and those of others as they build an understanding of how different people play different roles within a team.

To ensure our intent transfers into everyday classroom practice, we use current research in cognitive science to develop pedagogy and specific CPD to ensure subject content is expertly delivered. This is alongside individualised coaching in constantly striving to continually improve practice. Responsive feedback approaches, delivered live in lessons to ensure pupils feel supported and empowered as well as progress in their learning journey. It also ensures each adult knows the relevant next steps to maximise learning opportunities.

Curriculum Overviews

50 Things To Do Before You Leave Henley 

50 Things To Do seeks to help every child reach important health, learning, and wellbeing milestones.

• Improve health by establishing active lifestyles, leading to better mental wellbeing, lower obesity, and improved coronary and respiratory fitness.
• Establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime
• Improve language and communication skills.
• Improve engagement in outdoor play and learning, improving fine and gross motor skills.
• Improve school readiness, including better self-regulation, metacognition and resilience.