Intent:

At Hollybush Primary School, our curriculum is ambitious, carefully tailored to the needs of our children, and rooted in high expectations for every pupil. We believe that all children deserve the very best opportunities, equal to or exceeding those offered elsewhere, so that they can thrive, achieve, and aspire to “be the best they can be.”

Our enquiry-based curriculum inspires curiosity and is built around big questions that encourage pupils to think deeply, challenge themselves, and make connections in their learning.

In Early Years, we lay the foundations through a thoughtful balance of high-quality adult-led and child-led learning. The Early Years curriculum hinges on ‘I wonder’ questions, which allow children to discover the world around them through a curiosity-driven approach to learning. In KS1 and KS2, each topic of learning is strung together with one overarching Destination Question, which children should be able to answer in depth by the end of the unit.

Each lesson within the unit has a smaller Key Learning Question (KLQ) for children to answer. If they can answer the KLQ, they have met the learning objective for that lesson. Step by step, each KLQ takes them closer to their intended destination.

As children move through the school, the Destination Questions grow in complexity: they build on prior knowledge and encourage deeper thinking, ultimately making our children confident, reflective, and independent learners.

All teachers follow a structured lesson design which enables children to recap and remember previous learning, build on prior knowledge, develop new skills, and reflect on their progress. This consistent approach improves pupils’ vocabulary, deepens understanding, and helps them feel confident and secure, leading to better retention and stronger progress over time.

We want our children to leave our school not only with secure knowledge and skills but also with the confidence to believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

We are committed to providing our pupils with a wealth of enriching experiences that broaden their horizons and help them understand their place in the wider world. Through engaging learning and memorable moments, we nurture creativity, resilience, and independence. We place great value on trips, visitors, and first-hand experiences that build cultural capital, opening doors to new places, people, and ideas beyond the classroom. Whether exploring local heritage sites, welcoming artists, authors, and professionals into school, or taking part in performances and community projects, these opportunities enrich learning and spark children’s aspirations.

Our curriculum actively promotes British Values, respect for diversity, and a deep understanding of community and global citizenship. We aim for our pupils to grow into kind, compassionate individuals who treat others with respect and empathy, living out our school rules of being safe, ready, and respectful in all aspects of school life and beyond.

We want our children to learn in a safe, nurturing environment where they feel valued and secure. We encourage them to ask questions, explore new ideas, and develop as inquisitive learners.

At Hollybush Primary School, our vision is to empower every child to discover their strengths, develop their character, and realise their full potential, equipped with the knowledge, values, and ambition to flourish in the world around them.