The Clifton Curriculum

At Clifton Primary School, our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, develop knowledge and skills, and provide every child with the foundations they need to succeed.

Rooted in the National Curriculum and shaped by the needs, experiences and diversity of our school community, the Clifton Curriculum is ambitious, broad, balanced and inclusive. We want every pupil to see themselves reflected in their learning, while developing an understanding and appreciation of the wider world.

Our school ethos, ‘Aspire to Achieve’, underpins our curriculum. We have high expectations for all pupils and are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting point, background or individual needs, has access to rich, meaningful and challenging learning experiences.

Our Curriculum Intent

We believe that every child deserves an education that opens doors, broadens horizons and raises aspirations.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build secure knowledge and skills over time. Important concepts are revisited and developed as children progress through the school, enabling them to make connections, deepen their understanding and remember more of what they have learned.

Language, communication and vocabulary development are central to our curriculum. We recognise the linguistic diversity of our school community and the importance of developing confident, articulate communicators. Through purposeful talk, discussion, explicit vocabulary teaching and opportunities to explain and justify their thinking, we support pupils to develop the language they need to access learning, express themselves and succeed.

We aim to develop confident, independent and enthusiastic learners who are curious about the world, think critically, embrace challenges and take pride in their achievements.

Our curriculum also reflects our four school values:

• Respect: Developing an appreciation of different people, cultures, beliefs and perspectives.

• Determination: Encouraging resilience, ambition, independence and a positive attitude towards learning.

• Care: Promoting kindness, responsibility and care for ourselves, others and the world around us.

• Unity: Celebrating diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and recognising the importance of working together.

Through our curriculum, we want children to develop not only the knowledge and skills they need for the next stage of their education, but also the confidence, character and understanding to make a positive contribution to society.

A Curriculum for Every Child

Inclusion is at the heart of the Clifton Curriculum. We believe that every child is entitled to an ambitious education and that high expectations should be maintained for all pupils.

Teachers carefully consider the individual needs of their pupils and make appropriate adaptations to teaching, resources and the learning environment to ensure that learning is accessible and challenging.

We recognise that pupils may face different barriers to learning, including those relating to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), language acquisition or personal circumstances. Through high-quality teaching, targeted support and close collaboration with our Inclusion Team, we work to remove these barriers and enable every child to make progress.

Our approach is rooted in the belief that every teacher is a teacher of SEND and that inclusion is a shared responsibility across the school.

Further information about how we support pupils with additional needs can be found in our Inclusion section.

A Curriculum Beyond the Classroom

At Clifton, we believe that a truly enriching education extends far beyond the classroom.

Educational visits, workshops, cultural experiences, sporting opportunities, performances and pupil leadership responsibilities are all important parts of the Clifton Curriculum.

We are committed to providing experiences that broaden children's horizons, develop their cultural capital and introduce them to opportunities they may not otherwise encounter.

Our location in Southall, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse community, provides a valuable starting point for learning. We also make full use of the opportunities available across London and beyond, helping children to explore new places, discover different experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the world.

Our wider personal development offer includes opportunities such as Museum Learning, Restaurant Learning, Cinema and Theatre experiences, Explore London and our School Garden, helping pupils to develop independence, confidence, curiosity and an appreciation of the world around them.

Equally important are the relationships, wellbeing and sense of belonging that underpin successful learning. We recognise the different barriers our pupils may face and work to ensure that every child feels safe, supported and equipped to fulfil their potential.

You can find out more about these opportunities in our Personal Development section.

How We Deliver Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is carefully planned and delivered by teachers who understand the needs of their pupils and the importance of building knowledge progressively.

To support high-quality teaching across all subjects, we use a combination of:

Individually designed schemes of work, developed and tailored to the needs of our pupils:

• Reading

• Writing

• Mathematics

• Design and Technology

• History

• Geography

Published schemes of work, which we adapt to reflect our pupils' needs and our school context:

• Science

• Religious Education

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education

• Computing

• Art and Design

• Physical Education

• Music

• Spanish

Subject leaders and teachers work collaboratively to ensure that learning is clearly sequenced, builds on prior knowledge and is adapted appropriately to enable all pupils to access and succeed within the curriculum.

Key knowledge and concepts are revisited throughout pupils' learning, both within individual subjects and through our wider reading curriculum, helping children to strengthen their understanding and retain learning over time.

Our subject leaders regularly monitor, evaluate and review their curriculum areas to ensure that teaching remains ambitious, relevant and effective.

Assessment is used throughout the curriculum to check pupils' understanding, identify gaps in knowledge and inform future teaching. Through our ‘Mind the Gap’ approach, teachers and leaders work together to ensure that learning builds securely over time and that all pupils receive the support and challenge they need to make progress.

The Impact of Our Curriculum

Our ambition is for every child to leave Clifton as a confident, knowledgeable and well-rounded individual, ready to embrace the next stage of their education.

We want our pupils to achieve well academically, communicate confidently, develop a genuine love of learning and leave us with positive memories of the experiences and opportunities they have enjoyed.

Above all, we want them to be proud of who they are, respectful of others, ambitious for their futures and equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to succeed.

Find Out More

You can explore our curriculum in greater detail through our individual subject pages and year group curriculum overviews, which provide information about what children learn throughout their time at Clifton.

If you would like further information about our curriculum, please contact the school office, who will direct your enquiry to the appropriate member of staff.

• The National Curriculum for England (Primary)
  Click here for detailed information about the National Curriculum