Our Curriculum Intent Statement

Our Curricular Intentions: At Barden Primary School it is essential that we provide a memorable, rich and creative curriculum, that allows children to first thrive, and then succeed. The surrounding locality brings both richness and challenge. We also recognise the need to create a sense of aspiration that will open the eyes of our pupils to the diverse and exciting opportunities that lie ahead of them. If the children are to truly fulfil their potential the school must ensure that pupils have a rich vocabulary which contributes to their ability to communicate effectively. We believe that an exciting childhood should be essential for children and therefore we seek to create a programme of enrichment that has the capacity to transport our learners so that they are able to view their world with a sense of excitement, awe and wonder.

Our Implementation Strategies: In order to fulfil the above intentions our curriculum will be supported by a strong network of subject leaders. We will ensure that teachers have a subject knowledge that allows all subjects to be taught with passion and rigour. Additionally, our assessment structures will allow teachers to plan for continuity and progression.

The Learning Challenge Concept: At Barden Primary School we have adopted a Learning Challenge concept, which is built around the principle of greater learner involvement. It requires deep thinking and encourages learners to work using a question as the starting point. The Learning Challenge approach is used as a structure and ethos for curriculum design. In designing the curriculum teachers and learners are using a prime learning challenge, expressed as a question, as the starting point. Using the information gained from pre- learning tasks, the new National Curriculum and the school’s context, a series of subsidiary challenges are then planned. We will utilise the extensive and high quality resources in and around our Campus to ensure that our Learning Challenge Curriculum provides exciting and meaningful experiences beyond the four walls of the classroom. We will passionately promote healthy lifestyles and an active school community.

The Impact of our Curriculum: In addition to the children making accelerated progress from their starting points, our pupils will believe that ‘only my best is good enough for me’. As a result of our implementation strategies our learners will be:

• Communicators because they express themselves with confidence.
• Independent because they successfully self-manage their learning.
• Resourceful because they find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties.
• Inquisitive because they demonstrate a genuine curiosity and interest in things.
• Creative because they imaginatively use prior learning to produce something new and of value.
• Perseverant because they show spirit and pride in successfully completing tasks.
• Resilient because they are able to face disappointment, learn from failure, cope with loss, and adapt to change.

Additionally, the children will have a deep understanding of their local heritage and a desire to engage and invest their energy in Burnley’s future.  Through the experiences we provide, our children will leave Barden with clear aspirations and be equipped with the skills and knowledge to make them valuable members of society.

Barden Primary School                           

Whole School Learning Challenge Topic Map  

Click the name of the topics in this table to see each overview of learning...

Subject Leaders

At Barden Primary School we believe that every subject holds equal importance. To ensure that every subject is delivered to the highest possible standard, we have a team of dedicated subject leaders who all take responsibility for an area of the curriculum. These members of staff are responsible for: 

• Developing the subject's Intent, Implementation and Impact. 
• Producing and monitoring an annual action plan to ensure continuous improvement
• The whole school overview of the curriculum and ensuring that is it progressive across each year group
• Supporting other members of staff with their subject knowledge and their subject specific vocabulary 
• Sourcing and providing subject specific training
• Maintaining and driving the subject's high profile across the school

To find out more information about our wide range of subjects at Barden, please click on the links below...