Radley Church of England Primary School offers an aspirational learning environment and a balanced and broad curriculum. Details of some of the opportunities we offer can be found on these pages. If you would like to find out any more information, please contact us!
In order to learn we gather and organise knowledge in our long term memories using 'schemas'. The more relational links we make, the stronger the connections and the more likely we are to retrieve information. Our integrated learning units (called topics) aim to connect relevant learning opportunities to enable pupils to be motivated, engaged and excited by learning and the opportunity to makes stronger connections with the world around us.
We deliver our curriculum using through subject areas that are linked to enhance concepts taught and to enable learners to make purposeful connections across subjects through the acquisition of key knowledge and core skills. Each integrated learning unit is led by a 'driver' subject which may be either history or geography with other subjects carefully selected to enhance, support or provide context for further learning in order to strengthen schemas. Other subjects may also be discreetly taught as part of linking 'mini topics' taught alongside each main topic.
The Cornerstones approach to teaching and learning
The Cornerstones pedagogy is based on four distinct stages. These stages are: Engage – Develop – Innovate – Express, also known as the Four Cornerstones. These four distinct stages give clear direction for both teaching and learning as set out in the following illustration. While the Four Cornerstones provide schools with a basis on which to deliver the curriculum, the beauty is that the finer details of this curriculum is adapted for our context and our children at Radley.
EngageEngage is a short stage in which children take part in a memorable experience to stimulate their curiosity, ask questions and talk about their prior learning. They are introduced to the required baseline knowledge to support future learning. DevelopDevelop is a longer stage, where children delve more deeply into the theme, explore and acquire new skills and knowledge, revisit previously acquired skills and knowledge, make links between subjects, explore, make, read and write for a variety of purposes across the curriculum. InnovateInnovate is a crucial opportunity for children to return to previous skills and knowledge and apply them in new contexts. ExpressExpress gives children a structured opportunity to reflect on their learning, test their knowledge and celebrate their achievements.
Radley Curriculum Purpose Vision and Intent Sept 2021.docx