{"id":9947,"date":"2024-01-27T14:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-27T14:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cornerstoneseducation.co.uk\/?p=9947"},"modified":"2025-01-27T14:12:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T14:12:00","slug":"what-is-a-primary-curriculum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cornerstoneseducation.co.uk\/what-is-a-primary-curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a primary curriculum?"},"content":{"rendered":"
A primary curriculum is a programme of subjects, content, and learning experiences designed for children in the formative stages of their education. In the UK, this is typically for children aged 4 to 11. It outlines what children should learn in each key stage and year group. <\/p>
A primary curriculum consists of core subjects<\/strong> (English<\/a>, maths and science), foundation subjects<\/strong> (which range from history<\/a>, geography<\/a>, art & design<\/a>, design & technology<\/a>,\u00a0music, physical education, computing, religious education<\/a> and PHSE) and other aspects including Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development (SMSC<\/strong>) and Fundamental British Values (FBV<\/strong>). \u00a0<\/p> In England, most schools follow a National Curriculum set out by the Department of Education<\/a><\/strong> (DfE). It is currently a legal requirement for all state-funded primary schools to follow the curriculum set by the DfE, which Ofsted<\/a><\/strong> regularly regulates by conducting school inspections. However, due to new regulations introduced by the Labour Party (2025), all schools, including academies (which currently do not have to follow the national curriculum), will be required by law to teach the national curriculum.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> While there is a national curriculum, it remains up to individual primary schools to design a school curriculum that ensures national curriculum coverage. A school must also consider, for example, how they structure, sequence<\/a> <\/strong>and resource<\/a><\/strong> lessons while ensuring their curriculum has both breadth and balance<\/a><\/strong>. They must also clearly set out which knowledge and skills<\/a> <\/strong>children will learn due to their curriculum.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p> Schools must be able to clearly show how the sequencing <\/strong>of their curriculum helps all children to make progress, including those children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND<\/a>). <\/strong>To evidence children’s progress, <\/strong>schools must integrate a robust assessment framework <\/strong>and procedures for monitoring and reporting.<\/strong><\/p> Designing a primary school<\/a> curriculum can be extremely difficult for many primary schools. With the average teacher already working a steady 50\u201360-hour week, the added burden of curriculum development can be stressful. Increasingly, primary schools are looking for curriculum packages to help them build and shape their curricula. Such packages are often digital, meaning teachers can use them flexibly, adapting and adding content to meet the needs of their school. The best versions of such packages also provide easily accessible, integrated resources and assessment systems<\/a>, saving teachers and subject leaders further time and money. <\/p> At Cornerstones, we provide our schools with everything they need to build a robust and interconnected primary curriculum<\/a>. Cornerstones is adaptable, flexible, and customisable, and it also includes integrated resources and a comprehensive assessment and reporting system<\/a>.<\/p> As the new Labour government begins forming a new national curriculum<\/a>, Cornerstones remains a safe pair of hands for your school curriculum. We’ll be here to ensure your curriculum meets any new requirements and provide you with the tools you need to add your unique take on any content we provide.<\/p> If you want to discuss how we can help your school build the best primary curriculum, please enquire today<\/a>. One of our Curriculum Advisers<\/strong> would be happy to discuss your requirements. \u00a0<\/p>