Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is the carefully planned journey that enables every child to become the confident, curious and compassionate learner we believe they can be. It reflects our ambition for every child, regardless of their starting point and is designed to ensure that knowledge, skills and understanding develop progressively throughout their time at Grafton.
Every decision we make is guided by one simple question:
"What does every child need to flourish?"
Our Aims
Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and rooted in high expectations for every child.
We want children to leave Grafton with secure knowledge across a broad range of subjects, but also with the confidence, curiosity, resilience and compassion that will enable them to thrive in secondary school and beyond.
Each subject has been carefully planned so that learning builds over time, enabling children to make meaningful connections, deepen their understanding and develop a genuine love of learning.
We do not believe in lowering expectations. Instead, we provide the support, challenge and opportunities that enable every child to achieve success.
How We Do It
Learning at Grafton is purposeful, engaging and carefully sequenced.
Teachers build on children's prior knowledge, introducing new concepts in manageable steps while providing regular opportunities to revisit, practise and apply learning in different contexts.
Across every subject, children are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, solve problems and work collaboratively. Practical experiences, discussion, investigation and creativity are woven throughout the curriculum because we know children learn best when they are actively involved in their learning.
Our curriculum is reviewed regularly so that it continues to reflect both the changing world and the needs of the children we teach.
The Impact on Children
Success is measured by far more than test results.
We see the impact of our curriculum every day in children who are confident to contribute, willing to ask questions, resilient when faced with challenge and excited to discover something new.
Children leave Grafton with strong academic foundations, alongside the confidence, character and independence they need to embrace the next stage of their education.
Ultimately, the greatest measure of success is not simply what children know, but who they become.
Progression
Every subject has a carefully planned sequence of learning that builds progressively from Reception to Year 6.
Children revisit important knowledge and skills over time, deepening their understanding and making connections between previous and new learning. This approach helps knowledge become secure and gives children the confidence to apply what they know in increasingly sophisticated ways.
Progression is intentional, ensuring that every lesson builds upon the last and prepares children for what comes next.
Adaptive Teaching
Every child learns differently, and we celebrate those differences.
Rather than creating different curriculums for different groups of children, we provide an ambitious curriculum for everyone and adapt the way learning is delivered to ensure every child can access it successfully.
Teachers use a range of approaches, including practical resources, visual support, carefully chosen questioning, collaborative learning and flexible ways for children to demonstrate their understanding.
Our aim is simple: every child should experience challenge, success and a genuine sense of achievement.
Enrichment
Some of the most memorable learning happens beyond the classroom.
Educational visits, visiting experts, performances, workshops and outdoor learning bring the curriculum to life, helping children see how their learning connects with the wider world.
These experiences enrich classroom learning, spark curiosity and create lasting memories that deepen children's understanding and broaden their horizons.
Assessment
Assessment is an integral part of learning, not simply something that happens at the end of it.
Teachers continually check children's understanding through observation, discussion, questioning and carefully designed learning activities. This enables them to identify misconceptions, celebrate progress and plan the next steps in learning.
Assessment helps us ensure that every child receives the support and challenge they need to continue making excellent progress.
Subject Leadership
Our subject leaders are passionate specialists who continually develop and refine their areas of the curriculum.
They work closely with colleagues to ensure learning is ambitious, engaging and carefully sequenced, while monitoring progression, supporting teaching and keeping the curriculum responsive to educational research and the changing needs of our pupils.
Most importantly, they share a common belief: that every child deserves an outstanding education and the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.
Like the children we teach, our curriculum is never finished. It continues to evolve, respond and grow, ensuring that every child receives an education that prepares them not only for the next stage of learning, but for a lifetime of curiosity, opportunity and discovery.