Home » Cornerstones Curriculum » Thematic Curriculum

The thematic curriculum

A flexible, multi-subject (cross-curricular), creative approach to teaching, with the maximum opportunity for choice and localisation.

Based on a well-structured progression framework, this curriculum is ideal for schools and trusts wanting a creative, dynamic and multi-subject curriculum with maximum opportunity for school customisation. With a range of quality teaching resources and free online support, we can help you build a unique curriculum bespoke to your school’s needs.

Cornerstones thematic curriculum

Highly engaging multi-subject projects and resources.

Ultimate flexibility for creative schools.

Free ongoing support for teachers, senior and subject leaders.

Focuses on developing children’s skills and multi-disciplinary capabilities.

Make your own choices about what and when to teach.

Year 5 Thematic Project Allotment covering Primary Geogprahy

Projects and resources

The curriculum is taught through various engaging topics organised into multi-subject projects. Each project includes core resources such as knowledge organisers. While lesson briefs are included and a suggested sequence is provided, teachers have full autonomy to make professional judgements about what projects or lessons they want to teach. 

The curriculum is taught through various engaging topics organised into multi-subject projects. Each project includes core resources such as knowledge organisers. While lesson briefs are included and a suggested sequence is provided, teachers have full autonomy to make professional judgements about what projects or lessons they want to teach. 

Localising your curriculum

Adaptability and flexibility

This curriculum offers creative schools the best opportunity to sequence and shape a unique and bespoke curriculum. If you value flexibility and autonomy, Maestro’s functionality will help teachers and subject leaders quickly and easily adapt what we provide to suit your school’s needs and context.

This curriculum offers creative schools the best opportunity to sequence and shape a unique and bespoke curriculum. If you value flexibility and autonomy, Maestro’s functionality will help teachers and subject leaders quickly and easily adapt what we provide to suit your school’s needs and context.

Interconnected primary curriculum subjects

Skills first

This curriculum prioritises key skills which are set out against each lesson. With meaningful links between the curriculum subjects, you can be sure your curriculum is interconnected and expertly balanced.

This curriculum prioritises key skills which are set out against each lesson. With meaningful links between the curriculum subjects, you can be sure your curriculum is interconnected and expertly balanced.

Year 1 and Reception mixed-aged primary class.

Perfect for mixed-age classes

The flexibility of the thematic curriculum plus the advanced functionality of Maestro enables quick and easy planning for mixed-age classes. We’ll help you get started too, by working with you to set up even the most complex of configurations.  

The flexibility of the thematic curriculum plus the advanced functionality of Maestro enables quick and easy planning for mixed-age classes. We’ll help you get started too, by working with you to set up even the most complex of configurations.  

Easily accessible resources

To save teachers valuable time, we’ve embedded all our resources within the lesson briefs provided. Teachers can simply click, share, download or print exactly what they need for a lesson in an instant. 

To save teachers valuable time, we’ve embedded all our resources within the lesson briefs provided. Teachers can simply click, share, download or print exactly what they need for a lesson in an instant. 

Cornerstones' 10 big ideas

Global perspectives and diversity

The ten Big Ideas that head up the curriculum provide schools with clear intent and outcomes for children’s learning. These global concepts, including humanity, creativity, place and space, comparison and significance, run throughout the whole curriculum and provide purpose and endpoints for the curriculum.  

The ten Big Ideas that head up the curriculum provide schools with clear intent and outcomes for children’s learning. These global concepts, including humanity, creativity, place and space, comparison and significance, run throughout the whole curriculum and provide purpose and endpoints for the curriculum.  

Labour's Curriculum Review

Supporting schools through the curriculum review

In 2024, the new Labour Government in the UK announced a review of the primary curriculum. This will begin in September 2024, with any changes presented to schools in autumn 2025. As the curriculum changes, we’ll adapt to meet the new requirements, supporting you every step of the way. With our curriculum housed on Maestro, changes can be made effectively and quickly with little to no disruption to your school, and without unnecessary workload on teachers and subject leaders. Plus, many of the changes indicated, such as a renewed focus on oracy, are already embedded across the curriculum and will require no to little change.

In 2024, the new Labour Government in the UK announced a review of the primary curriculum. This will begin in September 2024, with any changes presented to schools in autumn 2025. As the curriculum changes, we’ll adapt to meet the new requirements, supporting you every step of the way. With our curriculum housed on Maestro, changes can be made effectively and quickly with little to no disruption to your school, and without unnecessary workload on teachers and subject leaders. Plus, many of the changes indicated, such as a renewed focus on oracy, are already embedded across the curriculum and will require no to little change.

Explore our sequenced curriculum
“We are now coming towards the end of our 2-year rolling programme. The impact of Cornerstones has been fantastic in our school. “

Phil Sales, Headteacher

Sherborne Primary School