Individual Subject Intent
Our Curriculum at Burstow Primary School -
At Burstow, we provide a rich and ambitious maths curriculum that supports all children in mastering key concepts. Using a mastery approach, we focus on fluency, reasoning, and problem-solving through concrete, pictorial, and abstract methods. Building strong number sense and place value helps children develop the confidence to explain their thinking and solve problems effectively.
We believe maths is for everyone, and learning is inclusive and collaborative, with targeted support when needed. By promoting curiosity and resilience, children are encouraged to explore, question, and persevere. Our curriculum connects maths to real-life applications, and by deepening their understanding, we ensure that children leave Burstow confident and well-prepared for future challenges.
We use the Read Write Inc. phonics programme with daily sessions from Reception to Year 2, helping children develop a love of reading and become confident, lifelong readers. We believe reading is essential to unlocking learning across the curriculum and building a strong foundation for success.
Our classrooms are rich in language, with books and storytelling at the heart of learning. Children explore a diverse range of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and plays, building their vocabulary and comprehension. Through oracy and daily reading activities, we empower children to develop fluency, confidence, and a deep love for literature.
Writing at Burstow Primary School
At Burstow Primary, we believe that great writers are nurtured through a structured, exciting curriculum that sparks curiosity and inspires creativity. From Reception to Year 6, children build their writing skills step by step, developing their ability to express themselves clearly and imaginatively. Our approach ensures that every child, regardless of background or need, can succeed and achieve their full potential.
We place a strong emphasis on the writing process, encouraging pupils to engage in purposeful writing through planning, drafting, editing, and publishing. By breaking writing into clear stages, we help children refine their ideas, improve their skills, and develop a greater sense of ownership over their work. This process not only builds their writing abilities but also encourages critical thinking, attention to detail, and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
Through the joy of storytelling, rich language experiences, and engaging writing tasks, children grow into articulate communicators, both in written and spoken word. By encouraging curiosity and exploration, we help children discover their own voice and develop a deep appreciation for language and literature. By the time they leave our school, they will be confident, enthusiastic writers who feel empowered to share their ideas with respect and excitement. They will be ready to take on the next steps in their learning journey with trust in their abilities and a love for the craft of writing.
Design and Technology (DT)
At Burstow Primary School we offer an engaging and high-quality Design and Technology curriculum that sparks curiosity, fuels creativity, and broadens children's imaginations. Through practical, real-life projects, children generate ideas, research, and design products that solve real-world problems, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills and becoming responsible and reflective learners. They explore solutions that meet a range of needs and values, while learning to work both independently and collaboratively.
Children progressively build on their technical knowledge and expand their technological understanding, seeing themselves as both designers and makers. They are taught to select tools and materials safely and effectively and reflect on their design choices, with opportunities to develop resilience, creativity, and decision-making skills. By the time they leave Burstow, every child will have experienced design thinking and its applications in a variety of contexts, preparing them for future challenges as confident problem solvers.
In Key Stage 2, we bring French to life through conversations, games, and role-play. Children practice speaking and listening, building their confidence in using another language. French lessons also explore cultural aspects, helping children appreciate the wider world while learning practical language skills.
In our history curriculum, we encourage children to describe key events and significant figures, while building a chronological understanding of British, local, and world history. Pupils learn to interpret historical sources, compare similarities and differences, and draw conclusions about how the past has influenced the present. By fostering critical thinking, we encourage children to ask questions, evaluate evidence, and form their own opinions, helping them develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of human experience.
We place a strong emphasis on exploring history from different perspectives, ensuring children gain a broad cultural awareness. Through the study of various sources and historical viewpoints, pupils gain a richer understanding of how different cultures and events have shaped the world we live in today, all while enhancing their historical vocabulary and knowledge in a structured, chronological sequence.
In Geography, we endeavour to broaden children’s real-life experiences, providing a comprehensive curriculum for all our learners. Through map work, fieldwork, and an exploration of both physical and human features, pupils will develop a global understanding, as well as the skills needed to name and locate places. Students will pose questions and seek answers as they explore their immediate locality, before journeying into the wider world beyond. Pupils will compare geographical similarities and differences, linking their learning to real-world contexts and developing critical thinking about global issues. By encouraging a sense of global awareness and responsibility, we aim to empower them to become respectful and responsible citizens, capable of navigating a complex and ever-changing world.
The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world and appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together – Barak Obama
In music, children have the opportunity to practise and perform across a wide range of musical activities. Our curriculum encourages creativity through composing and understanding musical terms, helping children develop their confidence as they listen, review, and evaluate music from various cultures and periods. Through collaboration and performance, pupils will become well-rounded musicians with a deep appreciation for the role of music in society.
At Burstow, we provide an engaging and inclusive PE curriculum that encourages every child to develop a lifelong love of physical activity and sport. Through a wide range of activities, we help children develop physical activity skills for sustained periods, promoting teamwork, competitive sports, and resilience. By fostering confidence in their physical abilities, we aim to develop the fundamental skills that enable pupils to excel in a variety of sports and physical activities, while promoting a sense of achievement and enjoyment.
Our approach ensures children understand the importance of healthy, active lifestyles and physical well-being, while also learning the values of respect, fair play, and teamwork. Whether working individually or collaboratively, children are encouraged to set personal goals, reflect on their progress, and develop resilience, preparing them for future physical challenges both inside and outside of school. By the time they leave Burstow, every child will have the physical and social skills needed to thrive in sports and lead an active, healthy life, grounded in the values of respect, curiosity, trust, and love.
PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education)
In PSHE, we help children understand their feelings, build healthy relationships, and develop a sense of responsibility. Through discussions and group activities, children learn to communicate openly, respect others, and take care of their own well-being. We aim to prepare them for the challenges of life inside and outside of school.
Religious Education (RE) at Burstow Primary School
In RE, children explore their own beliefs and those of others, while developing a sense of respect and empathy. Through critical thinking and discussions, pupils learn to identify similarities and differences between different religions and world views, deepening their understanding of diversity. Our curriculum encourages children to engage thoughtfully with moral and ethical issues related to community, values and respect, building the foundation for informed participation in the world. Through the study of significant religious terms and vocabulary, children gain a strong understanding of the diversity of beliefs and practices around the world.
Science at Burstow Primary School
At Burstow, we aim to ignite curiosity and excitement about the world through a hands-on, enquiry-based science curriculum. Children are encouraged to explore and question the world around them, developing a deeper understanding of their environment. We promote open-mindedness and inspire pupils to ask questions, seek answers, and become independent, confident learners.
STEM is a vital part of our learning, interwoven across the curriculum and celebrated with dedicated events throughout the year. We teach children to respect the diverse narratives and contributions from different cultures that underpin many modern-day inventions, helping them appreciate the richness of global innovation. By connecting children with real-world science through workshops and community engagement, we develop a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. At Burstow, every child is empowered to explore science in an inclusive, stimulating environment that builds the skills and knowledge they need for future success.