The curriculum is all the planned activities that we organise in order to promote learning and personal growth and development. It includes not only the formal requirements of the National Curriculum but also the range of extra-curricular activities the school organises in order to enrich the experience of the children. It also includes the ‘Hidden curriculum’ or what children learn from the way they are treated and expected to behave.

The school will reflect its values and aims in the design of the curriculum:

"At Monks Orchard we aim to provide a happy and stable school environment. All children are given full access to the National Curriculum, which enables them, regardless of their abilities, gender, ethnic or social background, to reach the highest standards by realising their potential, developing talents and strengthening weaknesses in all areas."

We will achieve this through the following aims for the curriculum:

• promote high standards in reading, writing and maths;
• enable all children to become digitally literate;
• promote physical and mental development and an awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle;
• enable children to be aware of the importance of and participate in the arts and related cultural themes;
• enable all children to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society;
• promote spiritual development;
• enable all children to explore and make decisions about personal and cultural values;
• develop the personal and social skills of each child;
• provide equality of access to the curriculum and the opportunity for all children to make progress;
• prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of life.

The curriculum is planned effectively, providing continuity and progression. It

promotes an enjoyment of learning and a commitment to learning and achieving.

Through the provision of rich and varied activities, we aim to:

• encourage the best possible progress and the highest attainment for all pupils;
• enable children to make connections across different areas of learning;
• help children to think creatively and solve problems;
• develop children’s capacity to learn and work independently and collaboratively;
• enable children to respond positively to opportunities, challenge and responsibility;
• enable children to acquire and develop a broad range of knowledge, skills and understanding.