Ark Dickens curriculum

At Ark Dickens, our school moto is ‘be you best’. As a school and network, we work continually to develop and improve the Ark approach to primary teaching, learning and social and emotional development. Underpinning everything we do at Ark Dickens is the idea of maximising learning opportunities and creating a love of learning. Our curriculum is both interleaved and spiral which offers high pupil standards, high equity, high enjoyment and allows knowledge and skills to be built upon year on year. We aim to offer all pupils a great education through an inclusive curriculum and look to overcome all barriers that prevent pupils from succeeding and develop confident individuals that take their rightful place in society.

At Ark Dickens, we take autonomy for our school curriculum and for the way we plan for and deliver the National Curriculum thus ensuring that it is broad and balanced. Learning is purposefully planned to build upon prior learning and develop deeper understanding from EYFS to year 6. Our school curriculum is enriched by the wide variety of trips, experiences, and afterschool clubs on offer. We complement lessons using technology, mathematical equipment, and a range of texts in English. There is no ceiling set for the performance of any pupil; ambitious, aspirational targets are set for the continual improvement of all learners. We always look for suitable and appropriate opportunities to stretch and challenge every pupil and assist pupils to develop deep, secure understanding. We, therefore, allow them to study at a pace that enables the formulation of a robust understanding of central ideas; key concepts; key bodies of knowledge; and fundamental skills.

• Strong curriculum design. At Ark Dickens we provide a culturally rich and engaging curriculum. We continually attempt to establish links with the local community – which allow our pupils to develop a deeper understanding and cohesion of the subjects taught. Where possible this knowledge is deepened by frequent workshops, visits, and off-site trips.
• Reading is at the heart of the Ark Dickens curriculum. We will continually support and promote pupils to read widely. All pupils at our school will be supported to become highly articulate. The development of mature speaking and listening skills will be given a high priority. Pupils will be taught to speak clearly, precisely, and audibly, using sophisticated and expressive vocabulary.
• Our Values. Our curriculum is built upon our school values: respect, aspiration, resilience, community, unity and kindness. The Ark Dickens curriculum aims to enable pupils to value and understand the importance of their ongoing education; become confident, positive learners who make effective progress and achieve their potential; develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and their place within it, both locally and globally and understand how to live a safe, healthy, and happy life.

Staff at Ark Dickens, plan regular opportunities to assess the retention of both skills and knowledge throughout their time here at the academy. These take the form of live questioning within the lesson; rigorous feedback and more formal assessments. This information is used to plan interventions to ensure all children ‘keep up’ with the learning journey. As a result, pupils at Ark Dickens will leave the academy with the skills and knowledge to ‘Be your Best’ as a result of well-planned, engaging lessons. They will be confident, well-rounded individuals who will be able to take their place and contribute effectively to society.