Curriculum

Our Curriculum

At Barham Church of England Primary School, our curriculum brings our Christian vision to life. We know, nurture and value every child, celebrating their unique character, gifts and talents. Through our curriculum, we support every pupil to learn and grow as a kind, confident and curious individual, well prepared for the next stage of their education.

We provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum in which academic learning is enriched through music, sport, the arts, outdoor learning and play. Our Christian values of being kind, confident and curious are at the heart of school life. They encourage pupils to care for themselves, others and the world God has given us; to believe in themselves and embrace challenges; and to explore, question and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Our Curriculum Heritage

Barham has a long tradition of providing a rich and creative curriculum. Our school archives include a pupil’s book of sewing samples entered into the International Exhibition of London in 1871 and copies of the 1920s school magazine, Upward, which celebrated pupils’ achievements in music, sport, visits and the arts.

We remain committed to this tradition. We want every child to discover interests and talents, experience success and develop a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.

Our Curriculum Intent

Our curriculum is designed to enable every pupil to:

• develop secure and increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills across the curriculum;
• become a fluent reader, confident writer and capable mathematician;
• think deeply, ask questions, solve problems and communicate their ideas;
• understand Barham’s history, geography, community and natural environment;
• develop an informed understanding of Britain and the wider world;
• experience high-quality music, art, sport, performance and outdoor learning;
• recognise and develop their individual talents;
• show independence, resilience and positive attitudes to learning; and
• grow as a kind, confident and curious member of the community.

Our beautiful village and surrounding area provide an exceptional resource for learning. During their time at Barham, pupils might explore local woodland, study the area’s vineyards, visit Canterbury Cathedral and investigate important local people and places. These experiences are complemented by learning about a wide range of cultures, communities, faiths and global issues. Our International School Award recognitions in 2019, 2022 and 2025 reflect this outward-looking ambition.

Curriculum Organisation

Children in Reception follow the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Learning is planned across its seven areas of learning and development, with particular attention given to communication, language, personal development, early reading, writing and mathematics.

From Year 1 to Year 6, pupils follow the National Curriculum. This includes:

• English;
• Mathematics;
• Science;
• Art and design;
• Computing;
• Design and Technology;
• Geography;
• History;
• Languages in Key Stage 2;
• Music; and
• Physical Education, including swimming.

Religious Education is taught in every year group through the Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. Pupils also receive Relationships and Health Education and a planned programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education.

Subject leaders identify the essential knowledge, vocabulary and skills pupils need to learn. Curriculum progression documents ensure that learning is carefully sequenced from Reception to Year 6, builds upon what pupils already know and prepares them for what comes next.

Connections between subjects are made where they strengthen learning. At the same time, the distinctive knowledge and ways of thinking associated with each subject remain clear.

Teaching and Inclusion

We are ambitious for every pupil, including pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, disadvantaged pupils and those who are ready for further challenge.

Teachers use assessment to identify what pupils already understand and any gaps or misconceptions that need to be addressed. Learning is supported through clear explanations, modelling, purposeful practice, questioning, discussion and opportunities for pupils to apply their knowledge independently.

Teachers adapt their explanations, resources, activities and support so that pupils with additional needs can participate successfully in the curriculum. These adaptations maintain high expectations while removing barriers to learning. Pupils who are ready for further challenge are encouraged to think more deeply, make connections, reason and apply their knowledge in increasingly complex contexts.

Reading and Language

Reading is central to our curriculum because it gives children access to learning in every subject.

Essential Letters and Sounds, a validated systematic synthetic phonics programme, is taught in Reception and Key Stage 1. Pupils read books that are carefully matched to the sounds they have learned. Additional teaching and practice are provided for any pupil who needs further support to become a fluent reader.

Throughout the school, children encounter high-quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Teachers read aloud regularly and pupils enjoy class texts, library challenges, author visits and opportunities to discuss and recommend books. We teach vocabulary explicitly and provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to speak and write across the curriculum.

Mathematics

Our mathematics curriculum develops fluency, reasoning and problem-solving. Pupils learn to recall and use important number facts, explain their thinking and apply mathematical knowledge in different situations.

Teaching is designed to help all pupils develop secure understanding. Additional support addresses gaps in learning, while carefully chosen challenges enable pupils to explore ideas in greater depth.

Our calculation policy provides further information about the methods and progression used to teach calculation at Barham.

Enrichment and Personal Development

Educational visits, visitors, clubs, performances, competitions and specialist teaching enrich pupils’ learning. Our annual inter-house music competition develops pupils’ listening, composing and performance skills while also building teamwork, leadership and confidence. Our commitment to high-quality physical education, sport and competitive opportunities has been recognised through the School Games Gold Mark. Through our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme, pupils also benefit from creative, active and inclusive play, developing independence, resilience, cooperation and problem-solving skills.

Older pupils support younger children through activities such as buddy reading and peer teaching. Pupils are encouraged to express their views, contribute to school life and understand that they can make a positive difference. Our environmental initiatives provide one example of pupils turning their ideas into action.

Our PSHE and Relationships and Sex Education programme is supported by Kapow Primary. It covers families and relationships, health and wellbeing, safety and the changing body, citizenship and economic wellbeing. Further information, including parental rights, can be found in our Relationships and Sex Education policy.

Evaluating the Impact of Our Curriculum

We evaluate the impact of the curriculum through pupils’ work, assessment, conversations with pupils, lesson visits and the monitoring undertaken by teachers and subject leaders.

We expect pupils to:

• know more, remember more and apply what they have learned;
• make meaningful connections within and between subjects;
• achieve well from their individual starting points;
• read fluently and communicate confidently;
• demonstrate curiosity, creativity and independence;
• participate fully in the wider curriculum;
• show positive behaviour and attitudes to learning;
• live out our school and Christian values; and
• be well prepared for secondary education and life beyond Barham. 

Leaders use this evidence to celebrate strengths, identify areas for development and continually improve curriculum planning and teaching.