Introduction to our Curriculum

Welcome to Elmstead Primary School’s curriculum pages. We believe in offering a broad and balanced curriculum, one that not only meets the requirements of the National Curriculum, but also nurtures each child to embrace lifelong learning.

Our pupils enjoy a wide range of exciting subjects To find out more, please explore the subject tabs or contact our Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher via the school office.

Schemes of Work

Our curriculum is delivered through a carefully chosen blend of bespoke and nationally recognised schemes of work. Nationally recognised schemes have been deliberately selected for specialist subjects such as French, music, P.E. and P.S.H.E., where subject-specific expertise, progression in technical knowledge and high-quality resources are essential to secure strong outcomes and consistency across year groups. Alongside this, a number of schemes have been thoughtfully written and adapted by our own staff to reflect the unique context of our school, the needs of our pupils and our local community. This flexible/ balanced approach allows us to meet National Curriculum expectations, maintain high standards and respond flexibly to pupils’ interests and starting points, while ensuring learning builds progressively from year to year across all subjects. Together, these schemes of work support high-quality teaching, clear assessment and a broad, balanced curriculum for all learners.

SUBJECT	SCHEME OF WORK	SUMMARY
ENGLISH		Little Wandle provides a systematic, evidence-based approach to phonics, ensuring early reading is taught consistently and effectively. Regular assessment and targeted keep-up and catch-up sessions help all pupils develop strong decoding and fluency skills. Fred’s Teaching ensures reading progression through a carefully sequenced range of high-quality texts. Structured reading sessions develop fluency, comprehension and a love of reading, supported by whole-school reading initiatives, such as World Book Day. Our bespoke writing scheme of work is book-based and designed by staff. It follows a clear writing process and exposes children to a wide range of genres, authors and cultures while building skills progressively.
MATHS		White Rose Maths provides the framework of small steps, with carefully sequenced objectives. Alongside this, teachers draw on a range of additional resources to support the learning objective, provide appropriate scaffolds and offer challenge, ensuring all pupils can make progress from their starting points. Big Maths complements this approach by focusing on fluency in number facts and key arithmetic skills through regular assessment and targeted intervention.
SCIENCE		Developing Experts follows the National Curriculum and places strong emphasis on practical enquiry and scientific vocabulary. Real-world applications and expert videos help pupils understand how science links to future careers.
COMPUTING		The Knowsley scheme of work is used to teach online safety in the first part of the autumn term, with regular reminders and reinforcement built in across the rest of the year. Teach Computing is used to deliver a clear and progressive computing curriculum that builds pupils’ skills and understanding in a clear, structured way. To keep the curriculum up to date in a fast-moving digital world, the school has also introduced a new unit on artificial intelligence in Year 6.
ART		The bespoke art scheme of work develops creativity and technical skills through a range of artistic disciplines. Pupils study a variety of artists and are encouraged to evaluate and refine their own work.
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (D.T.)		The bespoke design and technology scheme of work follows a clear process of research, design, make and evaluate. Pupils develop practical skills and apply their learning through technical, make and cooking units.
FRENCH		Language Angels provides a progressive and structured approach to language learning, developing pupils’ confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. As a specialist scheme of work, complete with high-quality video and audio clips, it enables teachers to model correct pronunciation with confidence and ensures pupils are regularly exposed to authentic spoken French.
GEOGRAPHY		The bespoke geography scheme of work builds knowledge from the local area to the wider world, covering locational, place, human and physical geography. Fieldwork opportunities are embedded to develop practical geographical skills.
HISTORY		Our bespoke history scheme of work follows a clear chronological structure to help pupils develop a secure sense of time. It is enriched through whole-school events and opportunities to explore significant people and moments from the past.
MUSIC		Music is delivered through a combination of specialist teaching, delivering the Stave House scheme of work, and high-quality music services – Essex Music Services and iRock. Pupils develop musicianship, performance skills and confidence through singing, notation and instrumental opportunities.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH EDUCATION (P.S.H.E)		Jigsaw provides a comprehensive PSHE curriculum covering personal development, relationships and health education. myHappymind complements this by explicitly teaching emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive mental health strategies.
PHYSICAL EDCUATION (P.E.)		Get Set 4 PE provides a progressive and inclusive curriculum across a wide range of sports. Specialist coaches and enrichment opportunities support skill development, teamwork and positive attitudes towards physical activity.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.E)		The Essex SACRE syllabus supports pupils in learning about a range of religions and worldviews. It encourages thoughtful discussion and helps children develop respectful, informed understanding of belief and practice.

Trips

School trips are a valued and exciting part of life at our school. Each term, every class takes part in a carefully planned trip designed to enhance and enrich their learning beyond the classroom. These experiences bring the curriculum to life, helping pupils make meaningful connections through hands-on learning and real-world exploration. Our trips are thoughtfully chosen to cover a wide range of curriculum subjects while also introducing children to local and national places of interest. By learning in different environments, pupils develop curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Phonics and Reading

In our aim to develop flourishing readers, we know that a structured approach to phonics is an efficient method to gain momentum in an important facet of reading development early and quickly. Therefore, our phonics scheme of work follows Little Wandle approved Collins Big Cat books. 

Religious Education (R.E.)

In line with Department for Education (DfE) guidance, parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (R.E.).

R.E. is an important part of the primary curriculum and helps children learn about different beliefs, values and traditions in a respectful and age-appropriate way. If you are considering withdrawing your child, we encourage you to speak with the Headteacher to discuss the curriculum and any concerns.

The school will respect your decision and make reasonable arrangements for your child during RE lessons.

Please contact the school office if you would like more information or wish to request a withdrawal.