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Our Curriculum
Our curriculum brings the Sun Hill vision to life through carefully planned and enjoyable learning.
From Preschool to Year 2, children build secure foundations in communication, reading, writing and mathematics, while also developing their knowledge and skills across the wider curriculum. Learning is designed to be active, engaging and meaningful, with opportunities for children to explore, create, ask questions and make connections.
In Preschool and Reception, children learn through a balance of adult-led teaching, play and first-hand experiences. As they move into Key Stage 1 (Year 1 & 2), teaching becomes increasingly structured while continuing to encourage curiosity, independence and creativity.
Our Key Stage 1 classes follow a two-year rolling programme, known as Cycle A and Cycle B. This ensures that children experience a broad and balanced curriculum without repeating the same content.
The pages below explain what children learn at each stage, how knowledge and skills develop over time and the approaches we use to support every child.
Our Vision
Our curriculum is designed to inspire and motivate all of our pupils to be the best learners that they can be. Each child is valued and understood as an individual; academically, socially, emotionally and as a spiritual being.
Our pupils are at the very beginning of their lifelong learning journey and we strongly believe that the curriculum we offer them should enable them to communicate their thoughts and ideas clearly, take risks, develop their collaborative skills, and explore their creativity and to recognise and articulate their strengths.
We never forget that a happy childhood is the right of every child and that play and first-hand exploration of the exciting and diverse world in which we live is a crucial part of the child’s development and key to a happy, successful life.
Gold Standard Early Years Education
The aim of the school is to ensure that the needs of each child are met as far as possible and that each child is empowered to achieve the best of their ability, considering the wishes and feelings of the child and family.
For our Foundation Year children in Year R, we have a set of topics that they move through, with a new theme each half term.
Within Key Stage One (KS1) our curriculum for KS1 operates on a rolling two-year basis. We call these ‘Cycle A’ and ‘Cycle B’ years.
Within each cycle, every term covers a new topic with suitable content and learning goals suitable for all children in the class, whether they are starting their first term in KS1 or approaching the end of their time with us.
This means that all children receive a diverse set of curriculum topics without repeating content in their second year, while ensuring that whatever the age or ability of a child, they’re making progress towards new goals with each fresh term.
You can view what’s covered in each Cycle and Term by viewing our Topic Maps, below. These outline how the theme of each term is taught, and are specific to the age of the children being taught.
Also available to view are our Subject Maps, which outline how a particular subject is taught throughout a child’s time at the school.
At the heart of our curriculum are the visuals arts. As a school that held the Artsmark Gold award for over fifteen years, we understand how the creative arts can both promote and support deep learning in all areas of our curriculum as well as being completely accessible to all pupils regardless of age, gender, ability or disability.
Preschool and Reception: EYFS areas of learning
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Communication and Language
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Physical Development
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the World
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Expressive Arts and Design
All Curriculum Subject Documents
Contact Us
Parents, carers and members of the public who would like further information about our curriculum are welcome to contact the school office.
Religious Education
Religious Education helps children learn about different beliefs, traditions and ways of life. It encourages curiosity, respectful discussion and an understanding of the diverse world in which we live.
Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education. Anyone considering this is encouraged to contact the school office so that a conversation can be arranged with the Headteacher.
Supporting Children with SEND
We are committed to ensuring that every child can access, enjoy and participate in the full curriculum. Teachers consider each child’s individual needs and adapt teaching, resources, activities and the learning environment where appropriate.
Children may receive additional support, scaffolding or challenge to help them learn successfully from their individual starting points. We work closely with parents, carers and relevant professionals to identify needs and agree the most appropriate support.
Further information can be found in our SEND Information Report and Accessibility Plan.
Parents and carers who would like to discuss their child’s needs should contact the school office and ask to speak to the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator, known as the SENCO.