What does our Curriculum look like at Berkley?

At Berkley, our curriculum is designed to inspire, challenge and support every child. It provides a broad and balanced education that helps children develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive—both now and in the future.

Intent

At Berkley First School, our curriculum is thoughtfully organised into six whole-school themes, which bring learning to life across all year groups. These themes are taught through termly units that follow the National Curriculum and EYFS framework, ensuring clear progression in knowledge and skills. Each topic is carefully planned to build children’s understanding over time, while also allowing flexibility so pupils can follow their interests and take ownership of their learning. Our subject leaders work closely with teachers to make sure the curriculum is rich, meaningful and inclusive, with plenty of practical opportunities to apply skills and deepen understanding. Every child is supported to reach their full potential, and our dedicated staff continually reflect on and develop their teaching to ensure learning is engaging, effective and prepares children for the next stage of their education.

Implementation

At Berkley, we want every child to enjoy learning and make meaningful progress across all subjects. Our curriculum is carefully planned and taught through six engaging themes that run across the school. These themes are explored through termly topics, all aligned with the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

Each unit of work is thoughtfully sequenced, so that children can build their knowledge step by step and begin to understand bigger ideas and concepts. We also allow flexibility in our themes, encouraging children to follow their interests and take ownership of their learning when exciting opportunities arise. Our subject leaders make sure that all areas of the curriculum are covered in a hands-on, practical way. Teachers check children's understanding as they go, and use this to shape their teaching to ensure all children are supported and challenged appropriately. Where needed, lessons are adapted so that every learner’s needs are met, helping as many pupils as possible achieve the expected outcomes. Learning is designed to build up over time, so children feel confident and well-prepared for the next stage of their education. Our teachers regularly reflect on their own teaching and continue developing new strategies to improve learning across the curriculum. In most subjects, you’ll see: -
A working wall in the classroom that shows the learning journey and key information
Use of important vocabulary, explained and revisited in lessons
Clear links between what children already know and what they’re learning next
Opportunities for both paired and independent work
Focused group time with an adult, to either support or stretch children’s understanding
Plenty of time for talk, discussion, and sharing ideas

Our aim is for learning to be meaningful, memorable, and motivating giving every child the best chance to thrive.

How is it ambitious?

At Berkley First School, we believe all children should have the chance to thrive and succeed. That’s why we set high expectations for every child, in every part of school life. We are always looking for ways to improve, and we reflect carefully on how we teach and how children learn, so we can provide the very best experience for them.

Our classrooms and learning spaces are calm, safe, and full of opportunities to be creative. Children are encouraged to aim high and enjoy their learning. To support this, our staff take part in regular training (CPD) to stay up to date and continue developing their skills. We regularly check how children are doing in their learning and take steps to help them go further, ensuring they really understand what they are being taught and feel proud of what they achieve.

Curriculum Impact

At Berkley First School, we want every child to leave us with a deep understanding of the subjects they’ve learned, using the right vocabulary, knowledge and skills to show what they know and can do.

Our pupils are proud of their learning and show real determination and resilience when faced with challenges. They aim high, not just in schoolwork but in all areas of their lives.

Children make strong progress from their own individual starting points, and we help them recognise their strengths and discover what they enjoy.

We are proud to be an inclusive school where all pupils take part in the full curriculum and feel confident and capable as learners.

The Wider Curriculum

Squirrels Long Term Plan

Badgers Long Term Plan

Owls Long Term Plan

Our curriculum is taught through topics. We believe that topic-based learning allows individual subjects to become more meaningful. Subjects are taught individually ensuring the children understand the knowledge they are learning and can then apply the skills.

Click here to explore our Curriculum Subjects

Home Challenges

Each term, children in every class are given a range of fun and meaningful challenges linked to what they’re learning. These activities help to reinforce key knowledge and give children the chance to apply their skills in different ways, helping to deepen their understanding as they go.

SPECIAL EDUCATION (see SEND Local Offer)

At Berkley, we understand that many children may face challenges in their learning at some point during their time at school. Often, these difficulties can be identified early and supported effectively by the class teacher. In some cases, children may benefit from more targeted support through a specific learning programme designed to meet their individual needs.

We are committed to helping all children succeed. This includes supporting those with specific or general learning difficulties, as well as providing extra challenge for children who show particular strengths or talents. Every child is different, so we make sure that the work set is tailored to match their needs and abilities.

Our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo), a member of our teaching team, works closely with staff and our Learning Support Assistant to ensure that the right support is in place. When needed, and always with parental consent, we may also involve external specialists such as an Educational Psychologist to help us understand and meet a child’s needs.

To ensure we meet the needs of all pupils, we:

Plan ahead through a clear and ambitious School Development Plan
Provide ongoing professional training for all staff to help them support every learner
Have clear policies in place for all subject areas, with regular reviews to check they’re working well
Set out clear procedures for areas such as behaviour, lunchtime routines, and admissions
Work closely with outside agencies and support services when needed

By working in partnership with families and professionals, we aim to make sure every child at Berkley feels supported, included, and able to achieve their best.