our curriculum
We believe that learning is most memorable for pupils when it is planned in a cross curricular way, enabling children to make meaningful links throughout their learning. Here at Barnsole Primary School we provide a broad and balanced curriculum supported partly by the Cornerstones Curriculum, a nationally recognised approach for delivering outstanding learning opportunities for children.
What is the Cornerstones Curriculum?
The Cornerstones Curriculum is a creative and thematic approach to learning that is mapped to the 2014 Primary National Curriculum to ensure comprehensive coverage of national expectations.
It is based on a child-centred pedagogy called The Four Cornerstones and is delivered through Imaginative Learning Projects (ILPs) and Knowledge Rich Projects (KRPs), which provide a rich menu of exciting and motivating learning activities that make creative links between all aspects of children’s learning.
We believe children learn better when they are encouraged to use their imagination and apply their learning to engaging contexts. Our curriculum provides many learning challenges throughout the academic year that require children to solve problems, apply themselves creatively and express their knowledge and understanding effectively.
Cornerstones also provide a rigorous skills and knowledge framework that outlines the end of year expectations in all subjects. These skills and knowledge are tied to activities and are age-related so that staff can track children’s progress and identify their individual learning needs.
The curriculum is continually reviewed and enhanced to ensure that it is flexible and responsive to the children’s needs. This ensures there is a relevant context for learning. The blend of discrete subjects, such as English and Mathematics, enriched by a plethora of other experiences, provides a vibrant mix that supports pupils’ learning. We have high expectations of both staff and pupils and always endeavour to achieve outstanding outcomes.
Our Aims
- To promote mutual respect and positive values, creating a culture where all effort is valued.
- Face new challenges through teamwork and leadership.
- Learn and achieve in a supportive and creative environment.
- Celebrate diversity and working in partnership with parents and the wider community
The Cornerstone 10 Big Ideas
At Barnsole, we believe that children deserve a balanced curriculum that enables them to develop a deep understanding of all subjects and the interconnections between them.
The rationale for the Cornerstones Curriculum takes the form of 10 big ideas that provide a purpose for the aspects, skills, knowledge and contexts chosen to form the substance of the curriculum. These big ideas form a series of multi-dimensional interconnected threads across the curriculum, allowing children to encounter and revisit their learning through a variety of subject lenses.
Over time, these encounters help children to build conceptual frameworks that will enable a better understanding of increasingly sophisticated information and ideas.
Humankind
Understanding what it means to be human and the cause and effect of human behaviour.
This big idea invites children to find out what it means to be human, including the workings of human anatomy and how to keep safe. They explore ways that the human race is interconnected and explore the human experience and identities through a range of subject lenses. They discover the cause and effect of human behaviour and develop an understanding of the relationships between individuals, societies, faiths and communities. Through this big idea, children discover the ancient secrets of past civilisations and see the multitude of ways in which they influence modern-day life.
Processes
Understanding the many dynamic and physical processes that shape the world around us.
This big idea invites children to find out about the diverse and dynamic physical processes that are present in, and have a significant impact on, places, the environment and the world around them. They explore the physics of force and movement and investigate the phenomena of electricity, light and sound. Through this big idea, children discover how physical processes such as weather and erosion can transform a place or landscape.
Creativity
Understanding how everyday and exceptional creativity can inspire and change perceptions.
This big idea invites children to discover the place of everyday and exceptional creativity, including the qualities of persistence, determination, originality and resilience that form the basis of the creative process. They explore different ways in which their ideas and imaginings can be realised and communicated, and pursue enquiry by asking questions and finding connections between seemingly separate ideas. Through this big idea, children develop an appreciation of the importance of experimentation, trial and error, original thought and self-expression.
Investigation
Understanding the importance of asking questions, formulating hypotheses, gathering information and analysing evidence.
This big idea invites children to be curious and search for answers in response to original, familiar and more complex questions. They explore ways to create hypotheses, gather evidence and begin to evaluate data. They experiment with different ways to present information and ideas and make informed choices to solve problems. Through this big idea, children start to think critically, make meaningful connections and reflect thoughtfully on evidence and ideas.
Materials
Understanding the unique and physical properties of all matter and how we interact with them.
This big idea invites children to explore the properties of all matter, including that which is living and nonliving. It explores how materials are both formed and change. Through this big idea, children develop an understanding of the uses of materials and their unique, physical properties that make them fit for purpose.
Nature
Understanding the complexities and interdependence of the plant and animal species that inhabit the world’s many ecosystems.
This big idea invites children to find out about the diverse natural environments of the world and the plethora of species, both plant and animal, that live in them. They explore the characteristics and features of a range of habitats and study how living things interact within them. They examine the effects of economic and technological development on the natural world and consider the impact of human actions. Through this big idea, children discover the conditions needed for living things to thrive and survive.
Place and Space
Understanding the visual, cultural, social and environmental aspects of different places around the world.
This big idea invites children to explore the visual, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of places in their locality and the wider world. They examine how human activity and social interactions shape places and enable them to discover the unique identities and features of towns, cities, countries and continents. Through this big idea, children develop an appreciation of both the natural and urban landscape and begin to understand the bond between people and place or setting.
Comparison
Understanding how and why things are the same or different.
This big idea invites children to compare ways that things are the same or different. They identify simple and more complex patterns and make connections. Through this big idea, children develop an understanding of different ways to represent data using classification systems, comparison tables or charts and hierarchical taxonomies.
Significance
Understanding why significant people, places, events and inventions matter.
This big idea invites children to explore the importance of significant people, places, events and inventions. They examine why things are meaningful to some and not to others, based on their values, beliefs and experiences. Through this big idea, children develop an understanding of key people, places, events and inventions that have changed their everyday lives and the world at large.
Change
Understanding why and how things have changed over time.
This big idea invites children to find out about the causes and consequences of change and evolution. They investigate and explore how events unfold and develop an understanding of timelines and chronology. Through this big idea, children begin to make meaningful connections between past, present and future and begin to appreciate the unique position of their place in time.