At Norton, we teach the national curriculum
The National Curriculum is a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things. It covers what subjects are taught and the standards children should reach in each subject.
Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based and which:
promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society
prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life
The National Curriculum forms one part of the school curriculum, which comprises all learning and other experiences that each school plans for its pupils.
The National Curriculum for five to 11 year olds is made up of blocks of years, known as key stages:
Formal assessment takes place at the end of Key Stage 2 (Year 6). A phonics screening check takes place in Year 1 and a multiplication check takes place in Year 4.
Pupils are closely monitored throughout the school year to ensure that they make progress from whatever their starting point. We are fully inclusive and appropriate adaptations are made for children with additional needs so that they can access the curriculum.
We teach our curriculum through our vision so that our children are prepared spiritually, morally and culturally for a life in modern Britain:
Strive
Our children lead happy and fulfilled lives through seeing the best in others and in themselves; they are resilient, forward looking and appreciative
Think
Our children have the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours to guarantee that they thrive in modern Britain; the wisdom to preserve the beauty of our planet; the wisdom to make informed, positive decisions
Act
Our children celebrate differences and value everyone in our Norton family and wider community; they celebrate belonging to a local, national and international community and they expect inclusion
Respect
Our children know that everyone has the right to be themselves. Norton is a place where everyone can feel safe, be happy and learn. Everyone at our school is equal and acts with respect and kindness towards each other. Our children respect themselves and are proud to be part of an inclusive school.
Strong Foundations for learning
Our focus on “foundational knowledge” means ensuring young children (especially in Reception and Key Stage 1), master core skills like communication, reading, writing, and basic numeracy, plus essential general knowledge and social-emotional development, as these are the building blocks for all future learning. It’s about teaching these basics thoroughly, with enough practice, before moving too quickly to complex tasks, ensuring a sturdy base for deeper learning, like a strong Jenga tower.
Inclusion: Our curriculum is designed to be fully adaptable for pupils with SEND. Every lesson includes an adaptive teaching section, providing clear guidance on how activities can be modified to meet the needs of all learners.
Pupils learn in a variety of ways. Our lessons include a range of strategies to support and challenge every pupil, such as:
Scaffolding – activities are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing for additional support or challenge where needed.
Multi-sensory approaches – lessons incorporate different elements to engage all learners.
Clear instructions and structured tasks – ensuring clarity and reducing cognitive load for pupils who benefit from additional support.
Opportunities for collaborative and independent learning – allowing pupils to work at their own pace while building confidence and independence.
By embedding adaptive teaching throughout, the scheme ensures that all pupils, regardless of their starting points, can access and succeed in their learning.
In addition, the step-by-step curriculum design supports pupils with SEND, avoiding sudden jumps in complexity at transition points and allowing for steady, manageable progression.
Inclusion and diversity
Our curriculum has been designed to represent a range of cultures, abilities and backgrounds:
We use visual representation which is inclusive and representative of a variety of people and places, challenging stereotypes or historical ideologies.
Within sensitive units, questions have been included to support children’s lived experiences and backgrounds.
Where appropriate, colonial choices and their impact on digital issues are explored.
Norton’s curriculum supports children in appreciating the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and the relationships between different groups.
