Our intent is to provide a bespoke curriculum  which acknowledges our school’s unique characteristics and meets the needs of our children. The aim is to provide opportunities for all children to develop as independent, resilient, confident, successful learners with high aspirations. Through the curriculum we deliver, Haltwhistle pupils will become understanding British citizens who make a positive contribution to their community and wider society.  Aspirational expectations will combine the acquisition of knowledge and the progressive development of skills to create a purposeful and imaginative learning journey for every child. 

In order to achieve our aims and fully prepare our children for life in modern Britain and beyond, we have designed a robust 2 year rolling programme that is exciting and engaging. New topics are launched with “memorable experiences” that will capture children’s imaginations and stimulate their thirst for learning more.  Units of learning are carefully sequenced to ensure that learning builds lesson on lesson, key stage on key stage. Lessons incorporate retrieval skills to help children learn, link and remember knowledge. Transitions between year groups and teachers will be seamless through our sequenced and cohesive approach. We have high expectations for children to learn and use new, rich vocabulary in all subjects. 

In preparing children for modern Britain, we teach our children about the Fundamental British Values, diversity and equalities and wherever possible expose children to the rich and varied cultures of cities in the North East of England and beyond. Our lessons refer to future career opportunities and inspire children to think about their future and what they can become in the wider world.

We use rigorous triangulated monitoring throughout the year to gauge the impact of the curriculum design. Senior leaders, teachers and wider staff monitor individual subjects: reviewing learning, evaluating pupil voice, providing individual feedback to move practice forward, celebrating positives and highlighting areas of development. Our whole school team strengthens our ethos and vision as we work together to reflect upon our curriculum and share outcomes driving forward next steps. We don’t confuse coverage with progress when assessing as learning is measured through careful analysis of the application of skills across the curriculum; showing how acquisition of knowledge is enhanced dramatically by expectations to evidence quality thinking and demonstrate individual understanding.

To know more about our overarching curriculum rationalle click here

At WISE Academies we believe that assessment is one of the integral elements that form Quality First Teaching. Assessment is not a separate entity; it is central to classroom practice and interwoven into and employed at each and every lesson taught.

You can view our Assessment Rationalle here