At Gedney Church End Primary Academy, we believe that a broad and ambitious wider curriculum is essential in developing children's knowledge, skills, interests and understanding of the world around them. Through Science, History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Computing, Music, Religion and Worldviews, PSHE and RSE, and French in Key Stage 2, we provide children with opportunities to discover new interests, broaden their experiences and develop knowledge that will prepare them for the next stage of their education and beyond.

Our curriculum is carefully designed so that children build upon what they already know and can do. From their earliest experiences in EYFS through to the end of Year 6, children encounter increasingly ambitious subject content, develop rich subject-specific vocabulary and revisit important knowledge so that it becomes securely embedded. As they progress through the academy, children are encouraged to make increasingly meaningful connections between previous and new learning and to apply their knowledge with greater confidence and independence. This progression can be seen from the exploratory experiences of EYFS and KS1 through to increasingly sophisticated historical enquiry, scientific understanding, design, programming and consideration of different beliefs and perspectives in Key Stage 2. 

We want our curriculum to spark curiosity and broaden children's understanding of the world. Children learn about significant people, places, cultures and events; investigate the natural and physical world; explore creativity and self-expression; design and make purposeful products; use technology creatively and responsibly; and encounter a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. As children progress through the academy, they are increasingly challenged to question, investigate, reason, compare, create, evaluate and explain, helping them to think and work in ways that are distinctive to the different subjects they study.

Meaningful connections are made across the curriculum where these strengthen children's understanding. For example, children's historical learning can provide a rich context for art, design, music or digital creation, while geographical and scientific learning enables them to consider significant contemporary issues such as sustainability, climate and human impact. These connections allow children to apply what they know in different contexts while maintaining the distinct knowledge and skills of individual subjects. This is particularly apparent in UKS2, where curriculum links include Victorian history and William Morris, WW2 history alongside art, textiles and digital projects and environmental themes across Geography, Science, PSHE and Religion and Worldviews. 

Our SPARK Values

Our academy values of SPARK: Self-belief, Perseverance, Aspiration, Respect and Kindness are woven throughout children's experiences of the curriculum. We encourage children to develop the self-belief to contribute and embrace new experiences, the perseverance to overcome challenges and improve, and the aspiration to recognise their potential and what they can achieve. By encountering different people, cultures, communities, beliefs and perspectives, children also develop respect and kindness, learning to value their own identity while recognising and appreciating the experiences and viewpoints of others. The progression through PSHE, Religion and Worldviews, History, Geography, Music and other subjects provides particularly strong opportunities for these values to be explored and applied.

Ultimately, we want children to leave Gedney Church End as knowledgeable, curious, creative, respectful and confident young people. Our ambition is that they do more than remember what they have been taught. We want them to make connections, think deeply, ask thoughtful questions, apply their knowledge with increasing independence and develop the personal qualities they need to SPARK in the next stage of their education and beyond.