Curriculum

Intent

Marnel Whole School Curriculum Intent

Our bespoke, ambitious curriculum is designed to provide high-quality education for every child. It inspires and excites our children by learning through first-hand experiences relevant to the 21st century.

We deliver a curriculum that builds skills and knowledge progressively to ensure that children achieve academic and personal success. Our curriculum enables pupils to think critically about world issues and to develop an awareness of the impact our actions can have on others. It encourages an enquiring mind and instils in them a love of learning which will last a lifetime. Pupils are taught by teachers and Learning Support Assistants with high expectations, who plan and deliver a curriculum that is stimulating, pertinent, extends pupils’ understanding of all subject areas and ensures high-quality learning and outcomes.

Our curriculum exceeds the requirements of The National Curriculum and is tailored to the contextual needs of our children. Every child experiences a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes their educational, spiritual, moral, cultural and physical development. Pupils are stimulated and challenged so that they can make good progress and achieve age-related expectations. Pupils will leave Marnel Junior School prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in the next stage of their education, demonstrating deep knowledge, skills and understanding of the world around them.

We intend our children to develop into aspirational, successful young people who are confident, well-rounded and able to make considered and informed choices. They will have a clear overview of career choices and a belief that anything is possible with hard work and diligence.

With an ever-changing world, we recognise the importance of working with the local community, as well as exploring wider national and global issues, to prepare children to be successful, responsible citizens of the future. We encourage independence and choice within learning and place emphasis on keeping up with technological advancements, such as the use of AI and digital pedagogy, and becoming fluent with Microsoft and other tools to ensure that our pupils are prepared for the modern world.

Marnel provides a highly inclusive environment. Pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their learning goals. All our children are challenged and encouraged to develop their skills and knowledge through rich and varied curriculum opportunities. Those who need more support with their learning are given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace and to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs. We are also committed to providing bespoke pathways, including enhanced transition support for children with EHCPs, ensuring they are fully prepared to thrive in mainstream education and beyond.

Every child is recognised as a unique individual. We celebrate and welcome differences within our school community. We pride ourselves on ensuring that our curriculum promotes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at all levels, with the strong theme of tolerance and respect running through it. We empower children to contribute directly to our inclusive culture through pupil leadership opportunities, such as involvement in EDI initiatives and pupil-led inclusion walks, so that they see themselves represented and respected in our school.

We are committed to continuous professional development for all staff, encouraging reflective practice and collaborative coaching so that every adult grows as a practitioner and provides consistently high-quality learning experiences. Leadership is fostered at every level – among staff, pupils, and the wider community – ensuring that both adults and children have the opportunity to develop confidence, voice and responsibility.

We actively engage with our local and global community through projects that promote sustainability, social justice, and civic responsibility, helping pupils to become compassionate and responsible citizens. Our curriculum celebrates personal growth as much as academic progress. Through OPAL play, enrichment, arts, wellbeing initiatives  and robust pastoral offer pupils develop resilience, independence, and joy in learning.

Our aim is for children to leave Marnel Junior School equipped to face challenges and with the skills and desire to achieve their full potential, whatever path they choose.

Implementation

Our bespoke curriculum is carefully planned and delivered to ensure clear progression in both skills and knowledge. Its design allows us to meet the needs of whole cohorts, small groups and individuals within an environment of high-quality teaching, complemented by targeted and proven interventions where appropriate.

We value active, immersive learning experiences and provide creative opportunities for children to take risks, ask questions, and collaborate with others. This approach fosters curiosity and resilience while ensuring that learning is purposeful and engaging.

Rosenshine’s 10 Principles of Instruction are at the heart of our teaching and learning. Both staff and pupils regularly review work during and beyond lessons, using effective questioning, feedback and challenge to secure understanding. Learning is broken down into small, manageable steps, with flexible teaching that moves children on when they are ready. Skills and knowledge are modelled clearly, practised collaboratively, and then applied independently. Regular daily, weekly and monthly review helps strengthen working memory and supports long-term retention.

Each subject has a clear skills progression document to guide teachers in sequencing learning effectively. Scaffolding and extension ensure the right level of challenge for every learner. Our curriculum is underpinned by six aspirational learning behaviours—open-mindedness, resilience, respect, co-operation, reflectiveness and tolerance—which promote personal as well as academic growth.

Every subject is valued and taught discretely to preserve its integrity, while PSHE is given particular emphasis to reinforce our ethos and learning behaviours. Where appropriate, reading and writing are embedded across the wider curriculum, providing purposeful contexts and ensuring that literacy remains a golden thread throughout.

Reading is prioritised at Marnel. Daily explicit teaching, high-quality texts, and a wide range of initiatives foster both competence and a love of reading. Provision includes:

• dedicated time for independent reading;
• carefully planned reading opportunities within lessons;
• access to high-quality texts, both classic and contemporary;
• targeted support for pupils with gaps, including those new to Key Stage Two;
• regular assessment to address misconceptions quickly;
• a commitment to updating class libraries;
• collaboration with the School Library Service to broaden choice;
• staff and pupils sharing and celebrating their love of reading.

Mathematics is taught using a mastery approach, developing depth through conceptual understanding, mathematical thinking and precise use of language. Reasoning and problem solving lie at the heart of this approach.

Parents are active partners in the curriculum. We share learning through year group meetings, newsletters, termly letters and online updates. Families are further involved through open days, assemblies, performances and exhibitions of children’s work.

Our Platinum OPAL Play accreditation reflects our belief that play is a vital part of the curriculum. Playtimes provide opportunities for children to develop socially, morally and creatively. They enjoy choice, challenge and freedom, returning to class refreshed, stimulated and ready to learn

Impact

Through our curriculum we aim to nurture independence, curiosity and a lifelong thirst for learning. Our pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum that enables them to see their progress, take pride in their achievements, and develop the confidence to aim high.

They develop the behaviours and habits of effective learners: resilience, reflectiveness, and perseverance. They understand that mistakes are an essential part of learning and show determination not to give up until they are proud of their accomplishments.

Our pupils are equipped to make wise decisions in the best interests of themselves and their wider community. They show tolerance, respect, and empathy, embrace difference, and are able to stand up for what is right. They demonstrate resilience to negative influences and confidence to act with integrity.

The impact of our curriculum is also seen in pupils’ digital fluency, creative thinking, and ability to use technology, including AI, responsibly to support their learning. They grow as inclusive leaders, taking ownership of their school community and contributing meaningfully to equality, diversity, sustainability, and social justice initiatives.

At all levels of leadership across the school, staff monitor and refine the curriculum to ensure it continues to meet the needs of every child. Rigorous evaluation, pupil voice and stakeholder feedback drive improvement and ensure that the curriculum remains ambitious, inclusive and future-focused.

Ultimately, children leave Marnel Junior School not only with strong academic outcomes but also with the confidence, values and skills to flourish in secondary school and beyond. They are well-rounded, compassionate and ambitious young people, ready to face challenges and seize opportunities in an ever-changing world.