Batchley First and Nursery School: Curriculum Overview  

What do we hope to achieve? 

At Batchley First and Nursery School, our curriculum is designed to ensure every child achieves their potential in a nurturing and inclusive environment. We focus on developing the whole child, supporting academic, social, and emotional growth. Our curriculum is ambitious, broad, balanced, and tailored to meet the needs of our diverse pupil community. It considers prior experiences and future possibilities (including the curriculum upcoming at middle school). 

Our aim is to produce knowledgeable experts, inspired, confident and prepared to progress as lifelong learners and in future employment. Alongside this, they will feel safe to face challenges and be self-motivated as their efforts are valued. 

How do we deliver the curriculum? 

• Subject Coverage: We deliver all National Curriculum subjects, as well as teaching oracy and Forest School, as these are important for giving equity to pupils from our community. These also support deeper learning in other areas of the curriculum.  All subjects are carefully sequenced to build on prior learning and ensure progression. You can discover more about this for each subject here: Curriculum Progression – Batchley First School

• Early Years: In Nursery and Reception, the curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, prioritising language development, social skills, and curiosity through a blend of directed and pupil-led learning. 

• Personal Development: Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education, including Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), is embedded throughout, supporting children's wellbeing and preparing them for life beyond school. We follow the Jigsaw scheme that is progressive and comprehensive. See more below.

• Inclusive Practice: We provide targeted support and interventions so all pupils, including those with SEND, can access and succeed in our curriculum. Scaffolds support all pupils, when needed, and are removed at the right times to develop independence. Adaptations are made for extremes, if needed.  

• Enrichment: Learning is enriched with educational visits, themed days, and opportunities for outdoor learning to inspire curiosity and engagement. We also provide opportunities for extra-curricular activities, such as music tuition, cookery, engineering and sports clubs. See more below.

• Assessment: Ongoing assessment informs teaching and ensures learning is matched to children's needs. The Batchley Learning Cycle is followed. This is based on the latest science on how children learn and includes regular learning checks to enable staff to respond effectively in lessons to best build deep knowledge.   

What are the outcomes of this and how do we know? 

Our curriculum enables children to develop key knowledge to become confident, resilient learners, and prepare for the next stage of their education. They speak confidently about their learning, using appropriate vocabulary and expertise.  

Knowledgeable and driven subject leaders regularly monitor learning in their subjects, following lines of enquiry based on data analysis. Actions to best support their colleagues in providing effective learning experiences then follow.  

We are also now proud to be a member of the Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership (CUSP) and have access to their materials to support learning in our Batchley curriculum. 

You can find out more by watching this video here.

To support our pupils' personal development, as well as their learning, by the time our pupils start middle school, we want them to have had at least the following experiences: 

• Explored their local area in detail, including the woods 

• Visited the local library 

• Visited the local shops 

• Visited the local pond 

• Visited local church- singing 

• Met a range of authors 

• Met and been informed by people from a range of careers, including politicians 

• Performed to parents and to a different audience 

• Visited a location related to Shakespeare 

• Taken part in charitable events 

• Participated in at least one event to benefit the local community  

• Watched theatre performances 

• Enjoyed trips to the cinema  

• Represented the school at an event 

• Visited London 

• Stayed at least one night away from home, with peers 

• Visited a castle 

• Explored local history- Forge Mill Needle Museum 

• Supported our local care home 

• Visited a farm 

• Visited a stately home 

• Had numerous experiences that bring history learning to life 

• Visited a range of places of worship