At Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, our curriculum for foundation subjects—History, Geography, Art, Design Technology (DT), Computing, Music, Spanish, Physical Education (PE), Religious Education (RE), and Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE)—is thoughtfully designed to ensure a broad and balanced offer that meets the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum while being tailored to the unique context and needs of our pupils.

We combine carefully selected commercial schemes—such as Kapow, Charanga, Jigsaw, myHappymind, ICompute, and Real PE (PE), with bespoke, self-designed content. This hybrid approach allows us to:

• Ensure clear progression and coherence across year groups, with each subject’s curriculum thoughtfully sequenced to build knowledge and skills cumulatively.
• Focus on vocabulary development and subject-specific language to deepen pupils’ conceptual understanding, addressing the challenges faced by pupils with diverse learning needs, including those in our mainstream autism base.
• Provide high-quality professional development for teachers, enabling confident delivery of specialist content and effective pedagogy aligned with curriculum intent.
• Maintain flexibility to adapt to the evolving needs of our pupils and community, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all, especially pupils with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds.

This curriculum design aligns with the National Curriculum by covering all statutory content and ensuring pupils develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding appropriate for their age. 

Our curriculum is aspirational, designed to prepare pupils to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It supports the development of self-motivation, independence, and critical thinking, reflecting our vision to nurture valued citizens who respect diversity and contribute positively to society. 

Whole School Aims

The foundation subjects curriculum is deeply connected to Beaconside’s vision to create a safe, happy, inclusive, and stimulating environment where children and staff respect one another. It supports our core values of reflection, ambition, communication, responsibility, and independence by:

• Promoting inclusion and respect helping pupils understand cultural and religious diversity and British values.
• Encouraging curiosity and a love of learning by providing engaging, well-planned lessons that build knowledge progressively, fostering ambition and resilience.
• Building a caring community where pupils develop social skills through collaborative learning.
• Supporting personal moral values and SMSC development ensuring pupils understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Developing skills for lifelong learning, such as communication, problem-solving, and creativity, which underpin success across the curriculum.

This curriculum rationale directly supports our school’s vision to nurture confident, self-critical learners who contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.

Subject Vision

We teach these foundation subjects to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to understand the world around them, express themselves creatively, and develop as well-rounded individuals. Our intent is that every pupil:

• Gains a deep, connected understanding of each subject’s key concepts and vocabulary, enabling them to build on prior learning and make meaningful links.
• Develops confidence and independence in applying skills, whether that be historical enquiry, artistic expression, coding, or physical coordination.
• Experiences a rich, inclusive curriculum that celebrates diversity and nurtures respect for different cultures, beliefs, and perspectives.
• Is supported to overcome barriers to learning, particularly those with SEND, through scaffolded, well-sequenced lessons and targeted vocabulary development.
• Builds personal resilience and well-being through PSHE and myHappymind, aligned with our strategic priority to foster mental health and reduce anxiety.
• Benefits from high-quality teaching supported by professional development, ensuring teachers are confident and skilled in delivering complex content and vocabulary.

Communication with Stakeholders

To ensure successful implementation and engagement, we will communicate our curriculum rationale and vision through:

• Regular newsletters and curriculum overviews shared with parents/carers, explaining what pupils will learn and how they can support learning at home.
• Curriculum workshops and information sessions for parents.
• Pupil voice activities and displays showcasing learning across foundation subjects, promoting pride and engagement.
• Governors’ curriculum committee meetings where leaders regularly report on curriculum implementation and impact, ensuring accountability.