Our Arbourthorne Curriculum
Ambitious Learning for Every Child
Our curriculum is knowledge-rich, engaging and carefully designed to give every child the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to flourish in school and beyond. We inspire curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
Built to Last - Knowledge That Grows Over Time
Learning is carefully sequenced so new knowledge builds on what children already know. By making meaningful connections, pupils develop secure understanding, strong recall and the confidence to tackle increasingly complex ideas.
Strong Foundations - Learn It. Remember It. Apply It.
Children first master the essential knowledge, vocabulary and key concepts before applying them through enquiry, problem-solving and disciplinary thinking. They learn to think like historians, scientists, geographers, artists and mathematicians. We are proud of our city and Sheffield is well represented in our curriculum.
Learning Beyond the Classroom - Stronger Through Partnerships - Real Experiences. Real Connections
Frequent and intentional educational visits, visitors and enrichment opportunities bring learning to life. Children apply their knowledge in authentic contexts, broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world around them. We work alongside leading educational, cultural and community organisations to enrich our curriculum, provide expert experiences and create exciting opportunities for every child. Our professional partners expertise is used to widen children’s knowledge and experience and support adult CPD for example our Artist in Residence, our teacher of Modern Foreign Languages and Latin, our partnership with Sheffield Music Hub and close work with the University of Sheffield working with departments to raise aspiration and ambition. We have extensive school grounds and an environmental teacher as well as a life skills house for teaching what we know our children need! A focus on oracy sits at the heart of our curriculum.
Everyone Belongs - Inclusive Learning for Every Child
High-quality adaptive teaching ensures every pupil, including those with SEND and additional needs, can access the full curriculum. Our focus is on helping every child keep up, succeed and thrive. Learning styles and individual needs are attentively considered resulting in happy learners who make progress in line with peers. We believe in equality of opportunity and champion and celebrate similarities and differences in others.
Finding Every Child's Spark - Subject Ambassadors & Talents
Children with a passion for subjects such as History, Geography and Science can become Subject Ambassadors, extending their learning through research projects, leadership opportunities and partnerships with experts. We know our children, we make it our business to find out what makes them tick! Our Equality and Diversity Ambassadors play an active role in promoting fundamental British values and protected characteristics, supporting a representative curriculum that celebrates the achievements and contributions of diverse individuals from the past and present.
Every Voice Matters - Building Confident Communicators
Oracy is embedded across the curriculum through discussion, debate and collaborative learning. Lessons here involve partner and group talk so that children have the opportunity to practice their speaking skills. Regular showcases and performances give pupils meaningful opportunities to share their learning with families and the wider community.
Learning Together - Families as Learning Partners
Curriculum Overviews and Knowledge Mats help families understand what children are learning and support meaningful conversations and learning at home. Colleagues liaise closely with families to ensure learning is back and forth between home and school. Our weekly school newsletters celebrate our curriculum in action and become talking points for our families.
Ready for the Future - Curious. Confident. Successful.
Our curriculum develops knowledgeable, articulate and reflective learners who are well prepared for the next stage of education and for active participation in the wider world. They are secure, confident, kind, well-rounded citizens with a positive attitude to learning and each other and ready to make a further positive contribution to their community and wider society.
Year Group Curriculum Maps
We map out curriculum objectives across the year to ensure breadth and connections between subjects and deepen understanding. In the science sections, you will find our 'environmental' strand of learning highlighted green, and additional challenge areas of learning highlighted purple.
See below to find your child's 'Curriculum Map' and learn more about what they will be learning across the curriculum.
