Curriculum Intent: Our Why

Our Vision for Learning at Acre View Primary School

At Acre View Primary School, we are committed to creating an inclusive, nurturing and aspirational learning community where every child is supported in “Soaring for Success.” We recognise that every pupil is unique, with their own strengths, interests and potential. Our curriculum is designed to celebrate individuality, remove barriers to learning and provide every child with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

We believe that learning should be engaging, meaningful and ambitious. Through a curriculum that is broad, balanced and adapted to meet the diverse needs of our learners, we foster curiosity, independence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning. We encourage children to embrace challenge, learn from mistakes and develop the confidence to become active participants in their own learning journey.

As a specialist school for pupils with SEND, we understand that children learn in different ways and at different rates. From September 2026, Acre View Primary School has introduced the Equals Curriculum for pupils working below the National Curriculum. This personalised pathway provides meaningful learning experiences that focus on communication, independence, emotional wellbeing, life skills and preparation for adulthood. Alongside the National Curriculum, the Equals Curriculum ensures that every child can access learning that is appropriately ambitious, relevant and tailored to their individual needs.

Our curriculum extends beyond academic achievement. We aim to develop children who are confident, kind and responsible members of their community. Through rich learning experiences, therapeutic support, enrichment opportunities and strong relationships, we prepare pupils for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain. We want every child to leave Acre View with the belief that they can succeed, contribute positively to society and achieve their fullest potential.

Our Curriculum Aims

Through our curriculum, we aim to:

• Develop confident, resilient and independent learners.
• Foster a lifelong love of learning and curiosity about the world.
• Provide ambitious and personalised learning pathways for all pupils.
• Ensure pupils develop strong communication, literacy and numeracy skills.
• Promote emotional wellbeing, self-regulation and positive mental health.
• Support pupils to develop independence and essential life skills.
• Remove barriers to learning and enable every child to achieve success.
• Prepare children for the next stage of their education and future adulthood.
• Promote equality, inclusion and high aspirations for all.
• Enrich learning through meaningful experiences, visits, visitors and community engagement.
• Develop pupils' understanding of citizenship, British Values and their role in the wider world.
• Encourage respect, kindness and positive relationships within our school community.

Our curriculum reflects the needs, strengths and aspirations of our pupils, ensuring that every child is supported to flourish, achieve and truly Soar for Success.

Curriculum Implementation: Our How

How We Achieve Our Curriculum Vision

At Acre View Primary School, we believe that knowledge provides the foundation for learning and enables children to develop and apply important skills. We strive to ensure that pupils acquire both knowledge and skills through carefully structured learning experiences, recognising that the two are closely connected. Our curriculum is designed to be relevant, engaging and meaningful, enabling pupils to make connections across subjects and apply their learning in a variety of contexts.

For pupils accessing the National Curriculum, progression in knowledge and skills has been carefully mapped across all core and foundation subjects. A high priority is given to the development of communication, literacy and numeracy, recognising that these are essential skills for future learning and independence.

From September 2026, Acre View Primary School has introduced the Equals Curriculum for pupils working below the National Curriculum. The Equals Curriculum provides highly personalised learning pathways that focus on communication, independence, emotional development, functional skills and preparation for adulthood. It enables pupils to learn through meaningful, engaging and appropriately ambitious experiences that are carefully adapted to meet their individual needs, strengths and EHCP outcomes.

To support high-quality teaching and learning, we use a range of evidence-informed resources and schemes, including:

• Read Write Inc.
• Read Write Inc. Fresh Start
• Support for Spelling
• Literacy Counts – Ready Steady Write
• Literacy Counts – Steps to Read
• White Rose Maths
• White Rose Science
• Learning Means the World
• Equals Curriculum

Our curriculum is enriched through exciting themes and real-life learning opportunities that capture pupils' interests and encourage active engagement. For pupils following the National Curriculum, themes are delivered annually in the Early Years Foundation Stage and through a two-year rolling programme in Key Stage 1, Lower Key Stage 2 and Upper Key Stage 2. These themes are carefully planned through our Learning Means the World curriculum to promote deep learning and meaningful links across subjects.

We teach discrete subjects to preserve the integrity and unique knowledge of each discipline, whilst making purposeful links between subjects where appropriate. Learning is carefully sequenced to build on prior knowledge and support long-term retention.

For pupils following the Equals Curriculum, learning is delivered through personalised pathways that incorporate communication, play, sensory experiences, therapeutic approaches and practical life skills. Progress is celebrated through small, significant steps that help pupils build confidence, independence and readiness for the next stage of learning.

To ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning, staff receive ongoing high-quality professional development and work collaboratively with other schools and specialist professionals. This enables us to continually refine our curriculum, share best practice and ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, receive the support and opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.

Through high-quality teaching, personalised support and ambitious expectations, we ensure that every child at Acre View is equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to truly Soar for Success.

Curriculum Impact: The Difference Our Curriculum Makes

At Acre View Primary School, we are ambitious for every pupil and strive to ensure that all children achieve their fullest potential. Our curriculum is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence that children need to succeed both in school and in later life. Through high expectations, personalised support and meaningful learning experiences, we ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND, disadvantaged pupils and those with English as an Additional Language, are supported to make strong progress from their individual starting points.

Our curriculum prioritises the development of communication, literacy, numeracy, personal development and emotional wellbeing, alongside the acquisition of knowledge and skills across a broad range of subjects. Through high-quality teaching, therapeutic support and carefully targeted interventions, pupils are supported to overcome barriers to learning and achieve positive outcomes academically, socially and emotionally.

The impact of our curriculum is seen in the progress children make, the skills they develop and the confidence they gain. We measure success not only through academic achievement, but also through pupils’ growing independence, resilience, communication skills, emotional regulation and readiness for the next stage of their education. Progress is recognised and celebrated for every child, regardless of their starting point or level of need.

For pupils following the Equals Curriculum, impact is demonstrated through the successful development of communication, independence, functional life skills, emotional wellbeing and preparation for adulthood. Children make meaningful progress through personalised learning pathways, achieving small but significant steps that enable them to access learning more effectively and participate more fully in school and community life.

Our curriculum creates learners who enjoy coming to school, engage positively with learning and develop the confidence to take risks, solve problems and persevere when faced with challenges. As a result, pupils become increasingly independent, self-aware and motivated learners who understand their strengths and are proud of their achievements.

When pupils leave Acre View Primary School, we aim for them to be well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life beyond school. They leave with a strong sense of self-worth, a wide range of transferable skills, positive relationships and the confidence to contribute to their communities. Most importantly, they leave knowing that they can achieve, succeed and continue to Soar for Success throughout their lives.

Through our inclusive, ambitious and therapeutic approach, the impact of our curriculum is that pupils know more, remember more, can do more and become more independent, ensuring the very best outcomes for every child.