"Kind, Confident, Successful Learners"

At Barnett Wood Infant School, we deliver an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum that is designed to inspire, enthuse and motivate all of our pupils to be the best learners that they can be. It is underpinned by a focus on essential skills, knowledge and values that inspire and foster a love of learning for life in all our children. We have high expectations of our children and want all of our children to aim high, encouraging them to set themselves ambitious aspirations in their learning and independence.  

Using the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum as a basis, age-appropriate progression in skills and knowledge for each core and foundation subject have been identified. In designing our curriculum, we have considered carefully how curriculum skills develop as a child grows older, and the key knowledge they need to learn at each stage. Subject leaders take responsibility for overseeing this and regularly review their subject overviews. The content of each subject is sequential, building on prior learning and linking themes when possible. Our curriculum ensures that all children learn more and remember more through regular review and revisiting of core knowledge and key concepts.

In KS1 at Barnett Wood, we follow a separate subject approach. Links to other subjects are made where relevant. Our intent is that our children receive a broad and balanced curriculum, as it is our belief that each of the subjects are as important as the other, with equal value. The intention is that children should know more, remember more and do more to equip them for their next steps in life and eventually employment.

We aim to develop our children’s individual character and qualities as well as developing their knowledge and understanding of the skills they need to master in order to continue to flourish in the next stage of their education. We place high importance on learners’ discovery of their interests and their talents; we highly value the individual qualities, interests and life experiences of all of our pupils, incorporating these into our curriculum and planning. We carefully consider the existing skills our pupils have and those they need to learn and develop upon, that will prepare them for life in the here and now, and beyond Barnett Wood. 

We believe that children learn best and become confident individuals in a safe and nurturing learning environment, where every individual is valued as part of the community. The strong sense of community is a strength at Barnett Wood – parents and families are integral to the success of our curriculum and have vital roles in our children’s education. We value parental involvement and share curriculum plans on a half termly basis, outlining what knowledge, skills and vocabulary will be covered in each year group. Parents regularly attend curriculum information evenings and workshops.

We have strong partnerships and a long-standing presence in the Lower Ashtead community and our children are taught to understand how they can positively contribute to their local community. As a school we celebrate the diversity of the wider community and are committed to the principles of respect, inclusion and equality of opportunity. In ensuring opportunities for children to engage in the wider curriculum, we also provide further opportunities to enhance children’s learning wherever possible; these include sports, educational visits, whole school themed days/weeks, assemblies, visitors, workshops and clubs. These experiences also promote children’s social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

Whilst we place high importance on the key life skills of oracy, literacy and numeracy, our curriculum is so much more than ‘The 3 Rs’ – our aim is to develop each child’s unique potential within a secure, caring and calm environment that promotes positive physical and mental health and well-being, whilst encouraging independence, resilience and aspiration so that our children are the best learners they can be. Our children leave Barnett Wood as kind, confident, successful learners who are fully prepared for the next stage of their education.