Curriculum

At Rockland St Mary Primary School, our curriculum is built around our core values: Believe, Explore, Achieve. We want every child to develop confidence in themselves, curiosity about the world around them, and the knowledge and skills they need to flourish both now and in the future.
 
Our curriculum has been carefully designed to be ambitious, engaging and inclusive for all learners. Drawing on research-informed approaches to teaching and learning, including principles from cognitive science, we have structured our curriculum so that knowledge is taught in a meaningful sequence, revisited regularly and connected across subjects. This helps children build secure understanding over time and develop long-term confidence as learners. Our curriculum is underpinned by carefully sequenced knowledge, opportunities for retrieval practice, rich vocabulary development and meaningful links between subjects.


We believe children learn best when they are inspired by rich experiences and purposeful learning. Through carefully planned themes and enquiry questions, pupils explore the worlds of science, history, geography, art, computing, music, languages and design technology in ways that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. From studying volcanoes in Iceland and Ancient Egypt, to exploring local history, sustainability and global citizenship, our curriculum encourages children to think critically about the world and their place within it.
 
Our curriculum extends far beyond the classroom. Enrichment opportunities are woven throughout school life to ensure children experience learning in authentic and memorable ways. Pupils take part in educational visits, residentials, performances, sporting competitions, forest school experiences and workshops with visitors and experts. We have strong partnerships with organisations including Wheatfen Nature Reserve, The South Yare Wildlife Group, the Norfolk Music Hub and local community groups, enabling children to connect their learning to the wider world.
 
Personal development is at the heart of everything we do. Through leadership opportunities, eco projects, wellbeing events, online safety education and wider community experiences, we help children become kind, responsible and resilient citizens. Our curriculum supports pupils to understand themselves, value diversity and develop the confidence to contribute positively to society.
 
Reading is central to our curriculum because we know it unlocks learning across all subjects. We nurture a strong reading culture through high-quality texts, author visits, reading cafés and daily opportunities to read for pleasure and purpose. Alongside this, we place great importance on vocabulary, communication and oracy so that all children can express themselves confidently.
 
As small village schools, we are proud to offer a curriculum that reflects both our local community and the wider world. We want our children to leave us with strong academic foundations, a love of learning and the confidence to embrace future opportunities. Above all, we want every child to believe in themselves, explore with curiosity and achieve their very best.

Retrieval Practice

We provide regular opportunities for children to revisit and recall previous learning, helping them to strengthen their understanding and build knowledge over time. Retrieval practice supports children in developing confidence, fluency, and long-term memory.

 

Modelling

Teachers explicitly model new learning, demonstrating key skills, thought processes, and strategies. Through clear explanations and worked examples, children are supported in understanding how to approach tasks successfully before applying learning independently.

 

Scaffolding

We believe all children can succeed with the right support. Teachers provide carefully planned scaffolds to guide learning and build confidence, gradually removing support as children become more independent and secure in their understanding.

 

Questioning and Feedback

High-quality questioning and responsive feedback are central to our teaching. Teachers adapt learning to meet children’s needs, deepen understanding, challenge thinking, and ensure all pupils make progress.

 

Vocabulary and Oracy

We place a strong emphasis on developing language and communication skills across the curriculum. Children are encouraged to discuss ideas, explain their thinking, and confidently use ambitious vocabulary in meaningful contexts.

As a small school community, every child is known and valued as an individual. We work closely together to create a culture of kindness, aspiration, and belonging where achievements are celebrated and children are encouraged to become thoughtful, responsible citizens.

Through our curriculum, we aim to nurture children who are ready to contribute positively to the world around them — children who believe in themselves, explore with curiosity, and achieve with confidence.

 

LONG TERM CURRICULUM

 

Further Pages