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How to adapt your curriculum for children with SEND
One of the most frequent questions we’re asked is, ‘How can I adapt my curriculum to help my children with SEND?’. The Government figures for the 2023/24 academic year showed more than 1.6 million children had Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), an increase of 101,000 from 2023. With such high numbers, it is no…
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What does the Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report tell us about the curriculum changes ahead?
This week the Curriculum and Review group released their Interim Report, but what does it tell us about the changes in store for the primary curriculum? In this blog, I’ll take a look at some of the key takeaways for primary schools as regards the curriculum and assessment. The review is ongoing with a final…
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Generative AI in Primary Education
Generative AI in Primary Education: My take on the recently released policy paper on generative artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Having worked in EdTech for over a decade, I have seen firsthand how technology has enabled the growth of online and digital materials and curriculum resources for primary schools. As a result of this, there…
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Free Chinese New Year Primary Resource Pack
Celebrating Chinese New Year: A Festival of Joy and Renewal Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant and joyous celebrations in Chinese culture. The festival marks the beginning of the lunar calendar year and is a time for family, reflection, and renewal. Cornerstones Resources To help you…
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Spreading Christmas cheer with our free Christmas Resource Bundle
Christmas is just around the corner and the festivities may have already started in school. Preparations for EYFS and KS1 Nativities or KS2 performances are well underway, and your mind will soon turn to Christmas party games. It can be both a hectic but really enjoyable time at school, especially for the children, and it’s…
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How to localise your primary curriculum
Whether you create your curriculum from scratch or adopt a published scheme, one crucial element that requires careful consideration from subject leaders and teachers is making the curriculum bespoke for your school’s context. It requires meticulous planning to ensure rich connections between curriculum content and meaningful learning experiences, and the fostering of lasting partnerships between…
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Building a quality curriculum for the early years
With the early years being a key focus on the new government’s education and childcare plans, it’s time to ask, ‘Does our early years curriculum provide our children with the best quality of education?’ In this blog, we highlight some of Labour’s plans for the early years sector and explain how Cornerstones’ early years curriculum…
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A guide to mixed-age planning for EYFS and KS1
Why do schools have mixed-age classes? Primary schools have many different sizes and class structures – from large, single-form entry schools with over 90 children in a year group, to small schools that might only have one child in a year group. Smaller schools often have a mix of EYFS and KS1 children in the…
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Primary children’s wellbeing in the classroom
In this blog, we highlight the importance of teacher wellbeing and explore ways that happy teachers can help children’s wellbeing. What’s more, we look ahead to the new autumn term and offer some helpful tips and suggestions for creating a happy and harmonious first few weeks back at school. This includes opportunities for booking yourself…
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What are knowledge organisers and how can we use them in the primary classroom?
Have you noticed that knowledge organisers have recently made more of an appearance in primary schools? This is undoubtedly due to the recent focus on the importance of a knowledge-rich curriculum from Ofsted, the DfE and other influential bodies. Whatever the reason for their presence, knowledge organisers look as though they’re here to stay. So,…
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Why ensuring your teaching resources are best quality is crucial for curriculum success
With the recent attention on reducing workload and the publication of the influential Policy Exchange report, Completing the Revolution, the issue of resourcing your curriculum is once again at the fore. Referred to as the ‘final foot soldiers’ of a school’s curriculum, resources can make or break a lesson. Catherine Scutt, Curriculum Manager and resources…
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Fallen Fields – a fully resourced, free project
Teaching children about the First World War