‘The school has constructed a well-sequenced curriculum from the early years to Year 6.
This builds on pupils’ knowledge progressively, identifying the key knowledge and
vocabulary pupils need to know and remember. Teachers skilfully draw upon pupils’ prior
knowledge in a range of subjects.‘ Ofsted 2025
At Handale Primary School, we are passionate about nurturing a community of curious, ambitious and lifelong learners. Our curriculum is broad, rich, relevant and continually evolving to meet the unique needs of our children. We are committed to providing learning experiences that inspire, challenge and empower every pupil to reach their full potential.
Our children have a genuine thirst for knowledge and we work hard to cultivate their individual talents and interests. Through a carefully designed curriculum, we aim to develop confident writers, readers, mathematicians, scientists, historians, geographers, artists, designers, musicians, athletes, engineers and entrepreneurs. Alongside academic excellence, we place great importance on developing essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organisation, resilience and making positive choices.
At Handale, we believe in fostering a strong moral foundation. Our pupils are encouraged to pursue their passions whilst representing our school values. We celebrate diversity and promote an appreciation of different cultures and perspectives, helping children grow into compassionate well-rounded individuals and responsible citizens. We are proud to empower every child to thrive on their learning journey. Our curriculum is designed not only to build knowledge and skills but also to instil a love of learning and a belief that challenges and mistakes are valuable opportunities for growth.
At Handale, excellence is expected, inclusion is essential and every child is supported to succeed.
A Broad and Balanced Curriculum
At Handale Primary School, we deliver a well-structured and engaging curriculum through distinct subject areas, ensuring every child receives a comprehensive and well-rounded education. In line with the National Curriculum, our core subjects include:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
Our foundation subjects include:
- Art & Design
- Computing
- Design & Technology (DT)
- French (Modern Foreign Language)
- Geography
- History
- Music
- Physical Education (PE)
- Religious Education (RE)
Each subject is given dedicated time for focused teaching and learning, allowing pupils to build deep understanding and confidence in each area.
Personal Development and Wellbeing
We place strong emphasis on Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). These are taught both discretely and through cross-curricular links, supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing, social development, and moral understanding.
Collective worship reflects our inclusive values and helps foster a sense of community, kindness and respect.
Curriculum Design and Progression
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to meet the expectations of the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Each subject follows a detailed scheme of work, broken down into structured learning units. These units are mapped across year groups to ensure progression in:
- Knowledge
- Skills
- Vocabulary
We use subject progression maps and curriculum planning documents to guide teaching and support pupils in building secure foundations for future learning.
Regular retrieval practice is embedded across the curriculum to strengthen memory and deepen understanding. This helps us ensure that pupils know more, remember more and can do more as they move through school.
Technology in Learning
Technology plays a key role in enhancing learning at Handale. Our classrooms are equipped with large interactive screens and each pupil has their own IPAD. We maintain a safe and secure online environment, with filtered internet access and a strong focus on online safety. Pupils are taught how to navigate the digital world responsibly and know what to do if they encounter inappropriate content.
Curriculum Subjects
Please click on the tabs below to find out more about each subject.
