Our Curriculum at Alderbury & West Grimstead CE Primary School

At Alderbury & West Grimstead CE Primary School, our curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, develop deep understanding and nurture confident, compassionate young people who are ready for the world. Rooted in our Christian vision and values, our curriculum provides rich opportunities for children to explore, question and make sense of the world around them.

We believe that every child should experience a curriculum that is meaningful, memorable and connected — one that helps them understand who they are, how they learn and how they can make a difference.

An Enquiry-Led Curriculum

Our curriculum is built around enquiry learning, where children investigate big questions that matter. Each enquiry has a clear purpose and leads to a meaningful outcome, giving learning real relevance and direction.

Enquiries are designed to:

• Spark curiosity

• Encourage deep thinking

• Build knowledge and skills over time

• Connect learning across subjects

• Give children a sense of agency and purpose

Each enquiry is led by a State of Being — such as Scientist, Historian, Artist, Philosopher or Engineer — helping children understand the discipline they are working within and the skills they are developing. Other States of Being may support the enquiry, helping children make rich, cross-curricular connections.

Our Core Curriculum Principles

Our curriculum is shaped by a set of core principles that guide everything we do. We believe learning should be:

1. Purposeful

Children learn best when they understand why they are learning something. Every enquiry leads to a meaningful outcome that gives learning direction and value.

2. Connected

Knowledge and skills are carefully sequenced so that learning builds over time. Enquiries link ideas across subjects, helping children see the bigger picture.

3. Inclusive

Our curriculum is designed so that every child can succeed. We celebrate diversity, adapt learning to meet individual needs and ensure all pupils feel valued.

4. Challenging

We have high expectations for all learners. Enquiries are designed to stretch thinking, deepen understanding and develop resilience.

5. Rooted in Our Community

We make strong links with our local area of Alderbury, West Grimstead and Salisbury. Children learn about their heritage, their environment and their place in the wider world.

6. Character-Building

Through our curriculum, children develop the personal qualities they need to thrive — curiosity, creativity, independence, collaboration, empathy and responsibility.

What Enquiry Learning Looks Like

Each enquiry follows a clear structure:

Engage

A hook or experience sparks curiosity and introduces the big question.

Explore

Children investigate, research, experiment and gather knowledge and skills.

Explain

Pupils reflect on what they have learned and begin to form answers to the enquiry question.

Evaluate

Children think critically, compare ideas and refine their understanding.

Express

The enquiry culminates in a purposeful outcome — such as a performance, exhibition, product, presentation or community event.

This structure ensures learning is deep, reflective and memorable.

States of Being

A distinctive feature of our curriculum is the use of States of Being. These help children understand the discipline they are working within and the skills they are developing. For example:

• Scientist – investigating, testing, observing

• Historian – sequencing, interpreting, enquiring

• Artist – creating, expressing, evaluating

• Engineer – designing, making, improving

• Philosopher – questioning, reflecting, reasoning

• Athlete, Musician, Geographer, Writer, Mathematician, and more

States of Being empower children to think like experts and develop a strong sense of identity as learners.

A Curriculum for Life

Our curriculum is designed not only to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum, but to go beyond it — developing the whole child. We want our pupils to leave AWGS with:

• Strong knowledge and skills

• A love of learning

• Confidence in who they are

• The ability to think deeply and critically

• A sense of responsibility to others

• The belief that they can make a difference

This is a curriculum that builds Foundations for Life.