Curriculum

At Coulsdon C of E Primary School we offer a broad, balanced, creative and challenging curriculum so that the needs of all children can be met.  Coulsdon C of E Primary School is an inclusive school; the staff work hard to ensure that the curriculum and learning environment are adapted to support children’s learning differences and cultural diversity.  We want our children to leave us at the age of eleven confident and positive about moving onto the next stage of their education.

Curriculum Statement

Curriculum IntentImplementation of our Curriculum

We follow the Diocese of Southwark Religious Education Syllabus which enables the children to experience learning about Christianity and all the major world faiths.  Within RE lessons, children have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills which help to develop religious understanding and to ask and answer thought provoking questions about their own and other’s beliefs. 

Our Early Years setting at Coulsdon Church of England Primary School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework (DfE, 2025). This is supported by Development Matters (DfE) guidance, alongside our own carefully developed skills progression documents, to ensure clear and coherent progression in children’s learning.

Staff plan purposeful activities and experiences that enable children to learn and develop effectively. Planning places a strong emphasis on the three prime areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; and Communication and Language. At the same time, staff carefully consider each child’s individual needs, interests and stage of development, ensuring learning experiences are inclusive, challenging and enjoyable.

Where a child may have a special educational need or disability (SEND), staff consider whether additional or specialist support is required. We work closely with families and, where appropriate, with external agencies to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive. When planning and guiding learning, staff reflect on the different ways children learn and adapt their practice accordingly.

Outdoor learning and first-hand experiences play an important role in Early Years provision at Coulsdon C of E. Our curriculum topics have been developed over time to provide a rich, balanced and engaging learning experience. Topics link to seasonal opportunities and celebrations, while remaining flexible so that children’s interests and curiosity can be followed.

We teach early reading and phonics using the Read Write Inc programme, and mathematics through the NCETM Mastering Number approach. Phonics and maths are taught daily, with clear progression towards the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) and the key knowledge and skills children need as they move into Year 1. Careful consideration is also given to progression across the wider National Curriculum subjects throughout children’s Early Years experience at Coulsdon C of E Primary School.

We use Kapow Primary to help with our teaching of PSHE, Computing and Music.  It provides engaging and progressive schemes of work and lesson plans which are linked to the National Curriculum.  It includes teacher CPD videos and supporting materials that help teachers to develop skills and knowledge across EYFS, KS1 and KS2.  We believe that the CPD materials empower our teachers to deliver these subjects by ensuring their subject knowledge is secure and that the language and strategies they use are consistent and appropriate. 

We use White Rose Maths (WRM) to lead our planning for our maths curriculum.  It links to the aims and objectives of the National Curriculum, has number at its heart and provides plenty of opportunities to build reasoning and problem solving elements into the curriculum.  The WRM schemes of learning clearly outline the progression of skills into yearly frameworks that break down what children need to learn during each week of each term into small steps of learning. WRM helps children develop their conceptual understanding of mathematics by using concrete objects, pictorial representations and abstract thinking. The philosophy behind White Rose Maths focuses on making maths fun for children and helping them to find enjoyment in number problems fits with the Coulsdon way of learning.

Investigative Maths is integrated within WR teaching but there is also one explicit investigation lesson taught at least once a fortnight.  The lessons focus on the development of these learning skills:

  • Resilience and Perseverance
  • Learning by making mistakes
  • Collaborating
  • Questioning
  • Making links
  • Noticing 

 

We use the ‘Read, Write Inc’ scheme which is a synthetic phonics programme to promote early literacy skills. The structured programme is designed to ensure all children learn to read accurately and fluently through daily fun with engaging rhymes, characters and props.  The children are taught within group sets, tailored to their phonic ability to ensure they are learning and recapping the sounds they need to know and make individual progress more quickly.  As the children learn each group of sounds they are provided with the appropriate books to support them in using and practising these sounds.The children are assessed on their phonics and reading skills every half term and moved within their phonic teaching groups in line with this.

British Values

Maintained schools are legally required, under Section 78 of the Education Act 2002, to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum that supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, while also preparing them to contribute positively to wider society. Promoting pupils’ Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is central to this duty and provides clear evidence of a school’s commitment to upholding British Values.

Schools must actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. By embedding these principles throughout school life, schools demonstrate compliance with Section 78 and fulfil their SMSC responsibilities (DfE, November 2014).

At Coulsdon Church of England Primary School, we are dedicated to equipping every pupil with a rich, inclusive education that lays strong foundations for lifelong learning. Through our school mission, “Together in mind, body and spirit,” alongside our core Christian values, including the Fruit of the Spirit, our Religious Education curriculum, and our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) programme, we nurture an informed understanding of British Values and their significance in contemporary society.

Democracy

We actively promote pupil participation and voice. Classes collaboratively establish their own expectations, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in creating a safe, kind and respectful environment. Representatives to the School Council, Eco-Warriors, Reading Ambassadors and Faith Ambassadors are chosen through a formal voting process, enabling pupils to experience democracy in action.

During General Election periods, Year 6 pupils form their own political parties and run a school election. They create party names and manifestos, campaign to their peers and participate in a formal secret ballot. This practical experience deepens their understanding of democracy, representation and the importance of voting. Regular pupil consultations ensure that children’s perspectives meaningfully inform school development.

The Rule of Law

Clear, consistent and fair expectations underpin our behaviour culture. Pupils are taught to appreciate the importance of rules across a range of contexts, including classroom learning, play, sport and online engagement. Through our values-led curriculum and school ethos, children develop a secure understanding of right and wrong.

Engagement with external agencies, such as the police and other community services, reinforces the message that laws are in place to protect individuals and maintain social order.

Individual Liberty

We empower pupils to understand their rights and exercise them responsibly. Through PSHE and Online Safety education, children learn to make informed decisions and safeguard their personal freedoms.

Independent thinking is encouraged across the curriculum, with opportunities for pupils to express their views and make meaningful choices in their learning. We strive to provide equitable access to a wide range of experiences, enabling every child to pursue their interests and develop confidence in their individuality.

Mutual Respect

Respect is fundamental to our school ethos and is consistently reinforced through Collective Worship, our school rules, and the modelling of compassion, responsibility and understanding. Members of our school community are supported to build positive relationships, value diversity and demonstrate considerate behaviour.

Pupils’ conduct, both within school and during visits beyond it, is regularly recognised and celebrated. Strong partnerships with the local community provide opportunities for pupils to demonstrate empathy, service and respect in action.

Tolerance and Understanding of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our Religious Education curriculum, following the Southwark Diocese syllabus, promotes thoughtful exploration of Christianity and other world religions. Pupils examine both shared values and distinctive beliefs through structured learning, visits to places of worship and dialogue with members of the wider community.

Themes of equality, inclusion and prejudice are addressed through PSHE, Anti-Bullying initiatives and Online Safety education. We affirm the belief that every individual is equal in God’s sight and celebrate the unique gifts and inherent dignity of every person.