Curriculum Intent 

In each year group, our children build upon previous learning and develop new skills during their fortnightly art lessons using an adapted version of the Kapow scheme of work. They develop the skills they need to confidently interpret the world, express themselves and discuss the work of artists that have gone before. Through regular practise, they gradually build their competency in four key areas: drawing, painting and mixed media, sculpture and 3D, craft and design.  By the time they leave us in Year 6, they are confident and creative artists who have an excellent foundation for future artistic challenges. Sketchbooks form a key part of this process, being used from Year 1 upwards as a tool for exploring methods, recording ideas and presenting their art. Celebrations of our art and design work are held twice yearly in the form of a whole school exhibition to which families are warmly invited. 

We have chosen to use the National Centre for Computing Education, Teach Computing, scheme of learning to support our teachers in the delivery of the computing curriculum. These lessons are aligned to the National Curriculum and take a small-step approach, which offers children the opportunity to gradually build their toolbox of skills and knowledge. Units of work have been planned so that all children have opportunity to develop skills in computing systems and networks, creating media, data and information, and programming.  Digital literacy forms an integral part of our computing curriculum and, alongside our RSHE programme, we teach our children to be responsible, critical technology users, who recognise their responsibilities as digital citizens and know how to keep themselves safe online.

At Tiverton Academy,  children's first experiences of working with materials in Reception are built upon and developed into a more formal understanding of the design and technology process.  To do this, we use carefully chosen units from the Kapow scheme of work to ensure that our children develop an effective set of technical skills and knowledge in the key areas: structures, mechanisms, textiles, cooking and nutrition.   Over their time at Tiverton, during their fortnightly lessons, they will have opportunity to work through the design process from evaluating existing products, developing design criteria, carrying out focused practical tasks and then producing creative outcomes.  This balance of knowledge and skills development, with opportunities for responding creatively to a challenge allows children to test their problem-solving skills in meaningful contexts.  At the end of their time at our school, we aim for all children to have the confidence to apply their skills and understanding of this process in any future challenges.  

Our phonics curriculum at Tiverton Academy is designed to equip all children with strong reading and writing skills. Building on prior knowledge, it follows a systematic approach to teach phonics, graphemes, and blending, aiming for fluency and comprehension. The Little Wandle programme provides a structured framework, with regular practice and assessment to identify and support children’s needs. Through focused teaching, supported by resources and collaborative learning, we aim for all children to become confident readers by the end of Year Two, using reading as a tool for learning and enjoyment throughout their education.

At Tiverton Academy, our English curriculum builds on existing knowledge and develops new skills progressively through a diverse and challenging selection of children’s literature. It emphasises a balance between speaking, listening, reading, and writing, supported by Kagan cooperative learning structures to enhance understanding through peer discussion. High-quality literary texts, aligned with the National Curriculum, form the basis of our schemes of work, promoting regular practice and deepening understanding. Teaching sequences incorporate exploration of ideas, practice of new concepts, and reinforcement of previous learning to reduce cognitive load and aid retention. Early reading fluency and comprehension are developed through the Little Wandle scheme. Adaptations ensure inclusivity and ambition for all students, supported by cooperative learning. By the time they leave, students will be effective communicators with a strong foundation in English, ready to engage with the wider world.

Our geography curriculum is designed to build on existing knowledge and develop new skills progressively, focusing on both geographical knowledge and fieldwork expertise. It balances knowledge-based skills and practical experiences, enhancing critical thinking and enabling pupils to ask perceptive questions and analyse evidence. Kagan cooperative learning structures support this curriculum, fostering understanding across all abilities. Students study both local and global environments to develop a comprehensive understanding of the world and their place in it. The Kapow Primary scheme supports our curriculum delivery with a small-step approach, ensuring a gradual progression of skills and knowledge aligned with the National Curriculum's four strands. Lessons incorporate diverse teaching strategies, including independent, paired, and group tasks, ensuring engagement and inclusivity, with local fieldwork trips providing practical application and enrichment of learning.

The teaching of history includes Britain’s past and the wider world, exploring detailed aspects beyond the well-known. The curriculum fosters an appreciation of history through the evaluation of primary and secondary sources, building chronological knowledge from the Stone Age to the present. Students learn to explain how sources provide insights into past lives and how interpretations can vary. The spiral curriculum approach ensures regular revisiting and deepening of knowledge and skills, leading to automaticity in applying learned concepts. The curriculum immerses students in various cultures, local and distant,  encouraging a critical outlook and lifelong enthusiasm for history. Lessons, supported by a purchased scheme aligned with the national curriculum, use diverse teaching strategies and provide engaging, inclusive, and memorable learning experiences.

At Tiverton Academy, our language curriculum aims to foster an interest in learning languages through enjoyable and inclusive methods. In KS1, we introduce Spanish culture through assemblies, special lessons, and events, progressing to technical language lessons using Language Angels in KS2. The curriculum is sequenced to ensure structured and ambitious learning, with each lesson building on previous skills to promote mastery. A spiral curriculum approach, revisiting concepts regularly, reinforces learning and deepens understanding. Kagan cooperative learning structures enhance collaboration and communication, boosting students' confidence and language proficiency. Ultimately, our MFL curriculum nurtures global citizens equipped to thrive in an interconnected world.

We have chosen to use the White Rose Maths schemes of learning for our maths teaching.  The content of the curriculum has been sequenced so that pupils can use what they already know and can build on this in order to learn new content in the future. The maths curriculum is ambitious and ensures that children are given the opportunity to secure their mathematical skills through rigorous practice which builds from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract. The sequence of lessons ensures that skills and understanding are developed through small-step learning which builds to form a secure understanding of each concept. By the time they leave Tiverton Academy, we aim for all pupils to be confident with the vocabulary of maths, be fluent in arithmetic, and have a secure understanding in number, measurement, geometry and statistics, applying what they have learned confidently in a variety of contexts.

The music curriculum at Tiverton Academy is designed to develop children's musicianship across various creative contexts, challenging them to perform, listen, and create music. It includes all aspects of music: performance, notation, composition, listening, and historical knowledge, ensuring a comprehensive musical education. Across all Key Stages, specialist teachers deliver lessons aligned with the National Curriculum, supported by class teachers to ensure expert instruction and maximum engagement. The curriculum features a wide range of musical genres and styles, both historical and contemporary, to broaden students' musical exposure. By the end of their time with us, students will have the skills and knowledge to express themselves creatively and collaborate musically with others. View our development plan here.

At Tiverton Academy, the PE curriculum has been designed by our specialist PE staff to provide a broad skill set through challenging and motivating opportunities, focusing on social, emotional, and physical well-being. The curriculum promotes good sportsmanship and offers enriching experiences like trips and workshops to ensure inclusivity and foster a positive sports community. Age-appropriate lessons are crafted to be both challenging and rewarding, building confidence and automaticity. By the end of their primary school journey, students will have gained a wealth of knowledge, practical experiences, and a healthy attitude towards physical education, preparing them for active lives beyond Tiverton Academy. Our specialist PE coaches, use a small-step approach to develop essential skills, with a focus on foundational skills in KS1 and more complex techniques in KS2. Students participate in regular physical activity, swimming sessions, and inclusive events, with adaptations to ensure all students, including those with specific learning needs, can fully engage and benefit.

Our RE curriculum, which is aligned with the Birmingham SACRE scheme, fosters understanding and respect for diverse religious beliefs and practices. It promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development through an ambitious and inclusive approach. Students engage with different religious traditions via discussions, reflections, and experiential learning, emphasizing critical thinking and empathy. The curriculum is structured to provide a coherent and progressive learning journey, revisiting key concepts to deepen understanding. Age-appropriate lessons balance knowledge acquisition, skills development, and personal reflection. Kagan cooperative learning structures enhance collaboration and communication, allowing students to appreciate diverse perspectives. By the end of their time at Tiverton Academy, students will understand various religions and worldviews, preparing them to contribute positively to a diverse society and fully embrace our fundamental British values of mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs. Parents have the rights to withdraw their child(ren) from these lessons.  Should you wish to do this please contact Mrs Hyde.

Our RSHE curriculum equips children with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to thrive in the 21st century, covering health, safety, relationships, finances, and citizenship. By addressing statutory Relationships and Health Education, including non-statutory sex education, and promoting British values, we aim to foster confident, informed individuals. We emphasize personal boundaries, consent, and effective communication, preparing children for future challenges. Our carefully sequenced approach builds on prior knowledge, allowing children to tackle complex scenarios and develop essential vocabulary. We use the Kapow scheme to deliver a comprehensive curriculum, covering statutory requirements and additional areas like citizenship and economic wellbeing. The curriculum emphasizes self-regulation, relationships, managing self, families, health, safety, citizenship, and economic wellbeing, using diverse teaching methods and real-life scenarios. By gradually introducing and reinforcing concepts, we aim for deep understanding and empower children to make informed, healthy choices beyond school. Parents have the rights to withdraw their child(ren) from these lessons.  Should you wish to do this please contact Mrs Hyde.

The science curriculum at Tiverton Academy is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge, using a spiral approach to deepen understanding and develop automaticity. We focus on developing both scientific knowledge and skills across biology, chemistry, and physics, encouraging critical thinking and curiosity. By using Kagan cooperative learning structures, we create an inclusive environment where all pupils can engage with science and apply their learning to real-life situations. We aim for pupils to develop a deep understanding of science, strong scientific inquiry skills, and an appreciation for science's impact on the world. Using the Kapow Primary scheme, we deliver a curriculum aligned with national standards, focusing on key science areas and integrating practical work with conceptual understanding. A variety of teaching approaches ensures all pupils can access and progress in science, supported by strong subject knowledge and resources.