At Airedale Junior Academy, our core Trust values of Care, Aspire and Succeed are at the heart of everything we do. We set high expectations and inspire every pupil to excel during their time with us. Our intention is to ensure that all pupils make the best possible progress and that our curriculum removes barriers to learning through a bespoke offer that reflects the needs of our community. We want every child to leave our academy with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will create excellent life opportunities and prepare them exceptionally well for life beyond school.

Our school offers a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all pupils. It prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain, while fostering a love of learning and a curiosity about the world around them.

We view curriculum design as an evolving and dynamic process that is continually evaluated and refined. In developing our curriculum, we carefully consider:

• The needs and character of our children;
• Their prior learning and experiences;
• The statutory requirements of the National Curriculum for Years 3-6
• Educational research that is relevant and beneficial to our academy

The National Curriculum provides the foundation of core knowledge around which we build engaging, stimulating and meaningful learning experiences. However, we believe that the National Curriculum is just one element of a child's education. Therefore, we ensure there is time and space within the school day, week and year to extend learning beyond statutory requirements.

Our curriculum introduces pupils to the essential knowledge they need to become educated and responsible citizens. It encourages an appreciation of the best that has been thought, created and achieved throughout history, while nurturing creativity, aspiration and achievement. Through a rich range of experiences, enrichment opportunities and cultural encounters, pupils develop the cultural capital they need to become successful, well-rounded individuals.

Our Curriculum Learning Attitudes

Our Curriculum Learning Attitudes underpin all teaching and learning. They are the key values of the school and are taught, revisited and reinforced throughout all elements of the school day.

Ambition	Aspirations	We will support pupils in identifying and setting goals and aims so that they are always trying to achieve their full potential and be the very best that they can be; and once these goals are achieved, we will strive for more!
	Resilience	We will provide learning opportunities that present challenges and chances to work on problem solving so that pupils develop the skills and capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, refocus on success and manage themselves to the next success point.
	Creativity	We will celebrate inventiveness, offering learning opportunities to teach, encourage and develop pupils’ imagination, ingenuity and innovation so that original ideas are explored and built upon and learning between subjects is used to best effect.
Bravery	Courage	We will inspire pupils to engage with their learning even when they are concerned about their likely success; encouraging pupils to be of strong character and to ‘have-a-go’ at tasks, learning and opportunities.
	Determination	We will facilitate opportunities for pupils to work independently and with others, supporting them in developing the skills and attitudes needed to persevere and show fortitude in the face of adversity so that they can attain their goals and aims.
	Curiosity	We will nurture natural curiosity; encouraging our pupils to imagine, enquire, question and investigate so they think critically and solve problems, becoming increasingly enterprising.
Respect	Tolerance	We will ensure that pupils develop the ability to rationally consider different opinions and views and are willing to explore cultures rich in diversity; they see differences as opportunity to learn and understand about the lives and cultures of others.
	Communication	We will teach and develop the skills necessary to communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings across a range of contexts whilst listening and considering the opinions and views of others. This will in turn equip pupils with rich vocabulary and language skills.
	Courtesy	We will promote a culture where all pupils treat one another with kindness and consideration. We will teach pupils to show politeness in their attitude and behaviour towards others; good manners will be promoted and expected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How is our curriculum implemented?

We believe that a carefully planned, well-sequenced curriculum is the foundation upon which excellent learning and personal development are built. Using the National Curriculum as a basis, our curriculum planning builds on pupils' prior knowledge and experiences while looking ahead to the knowledge and skills needed for successful transition to Key Stage 3.

We have designed a curriculum that focuses on embedding both substantive knowledge (what pupils know) and disciplinary knowledge (how pupils think and work within different subjects). Learning is carefully sequenced to provide regular opportunities for recall and retrieval, helping pupils to know more, remember more and understand more over time. This approach ensures that knowledge is securely stored in pupils' long-term memory and can be applied confidently in new contexts.

Through clear progression, purposeful sequencing and high-quality teaching, we ensure that pupils develop a deep understanding of key concepts and make meaningful connections across their learning. This enables them to become confident, knowledgeable and reflective learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and for lifelong success.

Religious Education

Religious Education (RE) is delivered across all year groups and is aligned to the Wakefield SACRE agreed syllabus. It is further supported through our wider personal development programme. Children have regular lessons: experience trips and visits; and assemblies through our RE programme.

We teach RE so that our children understand and have a respect for their own and others’ beliefs and ways of life. We aim to provoke challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. RE should enable children to reflect on their own ideas of religion and way of life.

Our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Policy can also be viewed on our Policies page. 

Parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child from RE lessons if they wish. For more information, please see our PSHRE Policy and guidance on the withdrawal process.  Please note that content taught that is part of the science curriculum, or personal social and health education curriculum, are statutory and parents cannot withdraw from this.

Further Information 

To explore individual subjects in more detail, including what pupils study in each year group, please visit our Curriculum Subject Pages. 

Parents, carers, or members of the public who would like more information about the curriculum can contact us at ajoffice@aja.castlefordtrust.co.uk