Curriculum Overview
At William Shrewsbury Primary School, we are proud to offer a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that nurtures the whole child. Our curriculum is built around our core values of CARE: Caring, Achievement, Respect and Equity. These values underpin everything we do—shaping our ethos, inspiring our teaching, and guiding how children learn and grow. Each subject and lesson is carefully planned to reflect these principles and develop children not only academically, but personally and socially.
While we hold high academic expectations, we place equal importance on pupils’ social, emotional, physical and spiritual development. Our aim is to equip every child with the knowledge, skills and values they need to lead happy, fulfilling lives and to become responsible, successful members of society.
Our curriculum is carefully designed to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain. It reflects and promotes British values through our school’s cooperative ethos, fostering respect, responsibility and resilience in all our learners.
A Broad and Balanced Curriculum
We follow the National Curriculum, which provides the framework for pupils’ learning. This includes the core subjects of:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
As well as the foundation subjects:
- Art and Design
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Geography
- History
- Languages (Modern Foreign Languages)
- Music
- Physical Education (PE)
In addition, we teach Religious Education and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), placing great importance on pupils' moral and social development. Our curriculum encourages children to become independent, responsible learners who collaborate effectively and think critically. Across all subjects, we ensure our CARE values are lived and learned.
A Strong Foundation in Basic Skills
We place a strong emphasis on the core skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. We are proud to have been awarded the Basic Skills Quality Mark three times, in recognition of our good practice in this area.
While these subjects are taught discretely, we also make meaningful links across the curriculum to create a more engaging, creative learning experience. This cross-curricular approach helps to bring learning to life and motivates children to apply their knowledge in real and purposeful ways.
Learning in the Digital Age
Our classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, a dedicated IT suite, laptop trolleys, and class sets of iPads. Children are taught to use technology confidently and safely, gaining vital digital skills and understanding the importance of online safety in today’s world.
Supporting Emotional Development
At William Shrewsbury, we understand that emotional well-being is fundamental to children’s success both in and out of school. We use the Zones of Regulation as a whole-school approach to help children understand, express and regulate their emotions. Through this framework, pupils learn to recognise different feelings, develop self-awareness, and use practical strategies to manage their emotions positively.
This emotional literacy work is woven throughout our curriculum—in PSHE lessons, class discussions, story time, and during daily routines. It complements our CARE values by promoting empathy, resilience and respect, helping children to develop strong relationships and a sense of belonging. It also supports effective learning, as emotionally secure children are better able to focus, collaborate, and persevere.
Inspiring Experiences and Enrichment
We believe that learning extends beyond the classroom. Staff make use of the latest research into how children learn and plan lessons that are both engaging and relevant. We enrich our curriculum through:
- Educational visits to heritage sites, museums, galleries and places of worship
- Workshops with artists, musicians and drama groups
- Outdoor learning and local community projects
- Live web chats and virtual learning experiences
- Special theme days and curriculum weeks
We go on a wide range of educational visits throughout the year to provide additional enrichment and help build pupils’ cultural capital. These experiences broaden pupils’ horizons, deepen their understanding of the world around them, and inspire curiosity, empathy and confidence.
Our school also benefits from a dedicated outdoor learning area, where children engage in exciting, self-led exploration and discovery. This natural space encourages pupils to appreciate the outdoors, develop respect for plants and animals, and foster a sense of environmental responsibility. It also provides valuable opportunities for cross-curricular learning, allowing children to apply skills and knowledge from a range of subjects—such as science, geography, art and literacy—in real-world, hands-on contexts.
In addition, our curriculum offer is enhanced by a wide range of after-school clubs, providing children with further opportunities to pursue their interests and develop new skills. These include our Eco Committee, which encourages environmental awareness and action, a variety of sports clubs that promote teamwork and physical fitness, and our popular school choir, which helps children build confidence, creativity and a love of music. These activities support the holistic development of our pupils and help nurture well-rounded individuals.
Home Learning Offer
At William Shrewsbury Primary School, we are committed to ensuring continuous learning for all pupils, even in the event of a school closure. Our extensive home learning offer includes a wide range of resources designed to keep children engaged and supported from home. This includes pre-recorded videos from our dedicated teachers, memberships to carefully selected educational websites, and our active School Dojo channel, which keeps pupils and families up to date with the latest information about their learning. Through these varied tools, we strive to maintain a strong connection with our school community and provide a seamless learning experience beyond the classroom walls.
High Expectations for All
Our teachers set high expectations for every pupil. Learning is tailored to meet the needs, interests and abilities of each child, ensuring they are challenged and supported to achieve their very best. We believe every child can succeed, and we are committed to helping them reach their full potential through carefully planned, ambitious targets and personalised learning pathways.
If you wish to find out more about our curriculum please refer to the links below for a more detailed view of our curriculum offer or contact the office and ask to speak to our curriculum leader.
primary national curriculum.pdf