Learning

Curriculum Statement

The curriculum at Thamesmead School aims to energise and enthuse students through equal access to inspirational teaching, and wider curriculum opportunities, that ensure all groups of students achieve the highest possible outcomes; and that they leave us highly literate and numerate, and well equipped to make ambitious choices to fulfil whatever their future aspirations might be.

It is our mission to empower our students to take charge of all aspects of the lives in a rapidly changing and competitive world in accordance with their individual talents, interests and aspirations. We will through our curriculum enable our students to leave school with knowledge, skills, qualifications, a sense of direction, achievement and purpose. We will endeavour to develop them as independent and resourceful young people who will be well equipped to embark upon the next stage of their education.

How we deliver this

The School Curriculum seeks to ensure outstanding academic and personal development by supporting and instilling the values of Thamesmead, distilled down into the mnemonic AIR:

Ambition

  • Motivate students towards achieving ambitious personal and academic targets
  • Develop an aspirational attitude towards learning and making excellent progress
  • Challenge students to acquire the key knowledge, skills and understanding required for current and future success, as well as providing the basis for subsequent learning and behaviours to be successful in later life
  • Build cumulatively deeper understanding and the capacity for skilful performance
  • Provide a strong academic core through English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subject areas while giving equal value to STEM, Physical Education and the Arts
  • Develop ambitious plans for the future through high quality, age-appropriate Careers Information Advice and Educational Guidance (CIAEG) to support future choices
  • Promote high future aspirations with regards to future studies at university

 Inclusivity

  • Ensure students experience success across a broad and balanced curriculum
  • Ensure students are able to access all aspects of our curriculum regardless of their starting points or context
  • Ensure students receive an appropriate curriculum for their needs, including life skills, amended curriculum provision or alternative curriculum provision where appropriate
  • Ensure students can use literacy and numeracy skills across a range of contexts
  • Ensure high levels of student progress and achievement against national benchmarks
  • Enable students to acquire a range of nationally recognised qualifications which hold currency for future career and education pathways
  • Provide opportunities for students to develop their metacognition skills
  • Build cumulatively the capacity for independent performance

Rigour

  • Supported by the consistently applied Teaching and Learning policy
  • Ensure all components are intentionally aligned, with learning outcomes clear and planned for
  • Implementation is regularly reviewed and adapted as necessary
  • Impact is judiciously reviewed through formative and summative assessments