Curriculum

Curriculum Drivers

The school’s curriculum drivers are:

Why East Bergholt CEVC Primary School Chose the CUSP Curriculum

At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, we are committed to providing our pupils with the highest quality education that aligns with our core curriculum drivers: Ambition, Compassion, and Community. To achieve this, we have implemented the Unity Schools Partnership's CUSP curriculum model for several key subjects: History, Geography, Science, Art and Design, and English Reading and Writing. Our decision to adopt the CUSP curriculum is grounded in extensive educational research and aligns perfectly with our school’s values and goals.

Research-Based Approach

The CUSP curriculum is rooted in research around working memory, cognitive overload, and retrieval practice. These principles ensure that pupils can effectively absorb and retain information over the long term. The curriculum is designed to prevent cognitive overload by carefully structuring the learning process, making it easier for pupils to manage and retain new information.

Emphasis on Oracy and Vocabulary

One of the standout features of the CUSP curriculum is its strong emphasis on oracy and vocabulary acquisition. By focusing on the retention and use of new vocabulary, CUSP helps accelerate student progress. This focus fits seamlessly with our curriculum driver of Ambition, as developing strong oracy skills enables our pupils to become confident and effective communicators, ready to pursue their aspirations.

Rosenshine’s Principles of Direct Instruction

The CUSP curriculum incorporates Rosenshine’s principles of direct instruction to ensure the effective teaching of essential vocabulary. Each module within the CUSP framework includes detailed plans for teaching the etymology and morphology of words. Additionally, scaffolds are suggested to aid in vocabulary instruction, ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their starting point, can access and understand the material.

Structured and Logical Learning Modules

The CUSP curriculum is meticulously developed and structured. Learning units, referred to as 'modules', are logically sequenced within specific year groups and terms. This structure allows new knowledge to build upon what children have already learned, facilitating a deeper understanding across subjects. Each module identifies prior learning, key ideas, and enquiry questions for each lesson. This method ensures that as children progress through the modules, they develop a comprehensive and interconnected body of knowledge.

Interleaving and Spaced Retrieval

CUSP utilises the research-backed techniques of interleaving and spaced retrieval. These methods give pupils the opportunity to revisit and recall previous learning, reinforcing their memory and understanding. By allowing time for pupils to 'forget' and then retrieve information, these techniques help to imprint knowledge more firmly in their long-term memory.

Cross-Subject Links and Knowledge Strips

The CUSP curriculum also emphasises making connections between subjects, adding depth and coherence to children’s learning experiences. Highly effective ‘Knowledge Strips’ are used in each lesson to detail essential knowledge. These strips, which include key words and pictures (dual coding), make the curriculum more accessible, particularly benefiting children with Cognition and Learning SEND needs.

Alignment with Our Curriculum Drivers

• Ambition: The CUSP curriculum’s focus on oracy and vocabulary supports our goal of nurturing ambitious pupils who can articulate their ideas and pursue their aspirations with confidence
• Compassion: By making learning accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND needs, CUSP embodies our commitment to compassion and inclusivity, ensuring every child feels valued and supported
• Community: The structured and interconnected nature of the CUSP curriculum fosters a sense of community among pupils, as they build on shared knowledge and understanding, supporting each other’s learning journey

In summary, the adoption of the CUSP curriculum at East Bergholt CEVC Primary School reflects our dedication to providing an ambitious, compassionate, and community-focused education that equips our pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. By fostering strong oracy and vocabulary skills and employing proven teaching strategies, we aim to nurture confident, articulate, and knowledgeable learners.

Early Reading and Literacy at the Heart of Our Curriculum

At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, we place early reading and literacy skills at the core of our curriculum. We believe that strong reading skills are essential for pupils to access the wider curriculum and develop independent learning abilities from a young age. Ensuring that every child can read effectively is crucial for their overall academic success and personal development.  Our comprehensive approach to reading includes a substantial focus on both early reading skills and fostering a love for reading for pleasure. By prioritising literacy, we aim to provide all children with the tools they need to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential.

Pupils Broader Development

At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, our pupils experience a wealth of exciting learning opportunities. These include educational visits, guest speakers, and themed events that connect directly with our curriculum. For example, our regular ‘Wow’ days allow children to work alongside their parents in mixed age groups on themes such as science, the Olympics, nature or diversity fostering a collaborative and engaging learning environment.

We encourage and support our pupils to try new activities such as sailing, playing musical instruments and participating in residential visits. Our curriculum reflects our strong community ties and explores the area's outstanding natural beauty, providing a rich and contextual learning experience.

Our staff are dedicated to helping pupils reach their full potential. Through a variety of learning experiences, children develop essential characteristics like confidence, resilience, perseverance and respect for others. Whether it’s sampling new foods during design and technology lessons, tackling challenging texts in guided reading, or engaging in activities like canoeing and cycling, our students build valuable skills that support their growth and development.

Celebrating Diversity at East Bergholt CEVC Primary School

At East Bergholt CEVC Primary School, we are dedicated to celebrating diversity and expanding our pupils' understanding of different cultures. We believe that exposure to diverse perspectives enriches our pupils' learning and fosters an inclusive and empathetic school community.

Our library plays a crucial role in this mission, offering a wide range of books that reflect various cultures, traditions, and viewpoints. These resources encourage children to explore and appreciate cultures beyond their own, promoting curiosity and global awareness.

We also integrate cultural education throughout our curriculum with special events, themed days and classroom activities that highlight and celebrate diversity. Additionally, guest speakers and cultural events provide firsthand insights into various cultural practices and histories, helping students to respect and value the richness of different cultures.

If you would like to learn more about our curriculum, please speak to one of our class teachers. We are always happy to share how we provide an inclusive and well-rounded education for all of our pupils.

What does your child learn at school each day? Find information about our curriculum subjects here.

Our curriculum is inclusive and is guided by the Equality Duty 2010 and the SEND Policy and Information Report for our school. Please see below.