Each subject at Waterside Academy has a planned sequence from pupils’ starting points towards clearly defined end points. Curriculum planning identifies the knowledge pupils need to remember, the order in which it should be taught and the opportunities pupils need to practise, revisit and apply it.

Clear End Points

Subject leaders define what pupils should know, understand and be able to do by the end of a unit, year or qualification stage. These end points give teachers and pupils a clear sense of what learning is building towards.

Prior Knowledge

Planning identifies the knowledge that needs to be secure before new learning is introduced. Where gaps exist, teachers make these visible and provide the support pupils need to reconnect with the planned curriculum.

Small Steps

Complex knowledge and tasks are broken down into manageable components. This allows pupils to build confidence and experience success while continuing to work towards ambitious outcomes.

Retrieval and Revisiting

Important knowledge is revisited over time so that pupils strengthen recall, make connections between areas of learning and retain what they have learned.

Vocabulary and Disciplinary Language

Key vocabulary and subject-specific language are taught explicitly so that pupils can understand, discuss and write about subject content with increasing confidence and precision.

Where pupils join Waterside part-way through a curriculum sequence, teachers identify the essential prior knowledge they need and provide targeted support to help them reconnect with learning.

At Key Stage 3, the curriculum builds the knowledge, habits and confidence pupils need for Key Stage 4. At Key Stage 4, planning works backwards from qualification requirements and pupils’ intended post-16 destinations.