Our Curriculum

At Castle Hill Primary School, our vision is to make the greatest difference in the lives of our children, ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We believe that education is the key to unlocking future success, and our curriculum reflects this commitment by providing a rich, engaging, and inclusive experience for all. We aim to cultivate life-long learners, confident leaders, and responsible citizens who are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

A research informed curriculum

At Castle Hill, our curriculum is shaped by research from the field of cognitive science. We carefully consider studies on memory to plan and adapt our teaching strategies. For example, we incorporate Cognitive Load Theory, which emphasises the importance of managing the amount of information pupils process at once. This means we break learning into manageable steps, ensuring students are not overwhelmed and can focus on key concepts.

We also account for The Forgetting Curve, which shows how knowledge is lost over time unless it is regularly revisited. To combat this, we intentionally structure opportunities for pupils to regularly review and reinforce previously learned material, strengthening retention.

Informed by research into Recall vs. Study, we know that actively retrieving information, rather than passively re-reading, enhances long-term memory. Therefore, we integrate frequent opportunities for pupils to engage in recall activities such as quizzes and discussions, reinforcing their learning more effectively.

In addition, we apply Dual Coding Theory, which suggests that combining verbal and visual information can enhance learning. Therefore, we use a variety of visual aids alongside spoken or written content to support pupils' understanding and make learning more effective.

This approach ensures our curriculum is both rigorous and supportive, promoting deep, lasting learning for all pupils.

Early Years: The Foundation of Lifelong Learning

We understand that the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is where the journey begins, laying the groundwork for future learning. Through a nurturing, play-based environment, we help children develop essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills. By fostering curiosity and a love of learning from the earliest stages, we set children on the path to success, supporting our vision of making a lasting difference in their educational journey.

A Nurturing and Stimulating Learning Environment

We are committed to creating a learning environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to achieve. Our teachers establish high expectations for both behaviour and academic performance, creating a well-ordered and positive atmosphere. This environment allows us to make the greatest impact on every child's learning, fostering confidence, resilience, and a passion for education.

A Creative, Inclusive, and Enriching Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to be creative, inclusive, and deeply enriching. It not only meets the requirements of the National Curriculum but also aims to develop each child’s cultural capital—introducing them to knowledge, experiences, and perspectives they may not encounter at home. By broadening children’s horizons, we empower them to be curious, well-rounded individuals capable of contributing positively to their community and beyond.

Fostering Executive Functioning Skills

In alignment with our vision to make a difference, we prioritise the development of executive functioning skills, such as planning, problem-solving, self-regulation, and cognitive flexibility. These skills are vital for success both in school and later in life. By embedding executive functioning throughout our curriculum, we equip children with the tools they need to be independent, resilient learners who can take control of their own futures.

Innovation and Educational Excellence

We are passionate about innovation and educational excellence. Our teaching staff are continually trained in the latest educational research and practices, ensuring we remain at the forefront of pedagogical innovation. We use dual coding strategies—integrating visual and verbal learning techniques—to enhance comprehension and retention, catering to different learning styles and ensuring that every child can succeed.

Our curriculum reflects the diversity of our community and fosters an inclusive environment that celebrates differences while providing a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Through careful planning and innovation, we ensure that our curriculum helps us make the greatest impact on every child’s academic and personal development.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing: Central to Our Curriculum

Safeguarding is a core principle in everything we do. Our curriculum is designed to teach children about their rights, responsibilities, and how to stay safe. By embedding British values, equality, and inclusivity, we ensure our students develop the moral and social awareness needed to navigate the world responsibly. This not only helps protect children from harm but also supports their overall well-being, reinforcing our vision to make a difference in their lives.

Reading and Vocabulary: Core to Lifelong Learning

Reading and vocabulary development are at the heart of our curriculum because we know these skills are the foundation of all learning. We aim to develop proficient readers and articulate communicators who have the skills to access and engage with learning in all subjects. By focusing on these core areas, we make a profound difference in our students' ability to become confident, independent learners.

Structured Planning and Progression

Our curriculum is carefully structured to ensure consistency, progression, and balance across all subjects. Each topic builds on key knowledge from previous stages, helping children to develop a deep understanding of each subject area. We integrate dual coding techniques to support cognitive development and improve retention, ensuring that children can successfully progress through each phase of their education.

Inclusion and Accessibility for All

Castle Hill’s Inclusion Charter underpins everything we do, ensuring that all learning is accessible to every child. By chunking learning into manageable steps and offering tailored support, we enable every child to engage with the curriculum in a meaningful way. This commitment to inclusion reflects our core vision of making a difference for all children, regardless of their starting point or individual needs.

Regular Assessment and Tailored Support

We regularly assess children’s progress across all subjects, using tools such as quizzes, retrieval practice, and end-of-unit assessments. These assessments help us understand each child’s current knowledge and their next steps, allowing us to intervene quickly if additional support is needed. Our tailored approach ensures that we make the greatest difference by helping every child stay on track and achieve their full potential.

Enhancing Learning Through Our Community and Beyond

We believe that learning should extend beyond the classroom. By drawing on the rich resources of our local area and the wider world, we provide enriching experiences that deepen our students' understanding of the world. Through this broader perspective, we aim to ignite a lifelong love of learning, ensuring our curriculum is memorable, meaningful, and impactful.

Preparing Children for the Future

At Castle Hill, our goal is to prepare children for the challenges and opportunities of the future. We are committed to developing critical thinkers with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive in life. By fostering resilience, independence, and leadership, we ensure our students leave school as well-rounded individuals ready to make their own positive difference in the world. Our curriculum is designed to nurture these qualities, reflecting our vision of making the greatest difference in every child’s life and future.

Please click on the pages below for more information: 

Magic Habits

Reading and Phonics

The Inclusion Charter

SEND Information

How to find out more information

To find out more about our curriculum, please speak to your child's class teacher or call us on 020 8397 2006. 

Our curriculum leader is currently Ms Blackwell, (Mrs Densham is currently on maternity leave) who is one of our Assistant Headteachers.