Curriculum Overview
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KG / FOUNDATION STAGE
Our Approach At PMBS, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is more than just a starting point—it’s the heart of our school. Rooted in the Montessori approach and inspired by Reggio Emilia, our learning environments are carefully designed to spark curiosity, invite wonder, and encourage children to explore the world around them.
We believe that children learn best when they are happy, engaged, and confident. That’s why we’ve created a warm and nurturing space where every child feels valued, seen, and heard. Our play-based approach supports natural discovery, while thoughtful planning ensures a smooth and joyful transition into primary school.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
- Playing and Exploring: Encouraging curiosity and engagement through hands-on experiences.
- Active Learning: Building persistence and focus through meaningful play.
- Creating and Thinking Critically: Nurturing problem-solving, decision-making, and reflection.
Seven Areas of Learning
- Communication and Language – Through storytelling, conversation, and daily phonics (using Jolly Phonics), we help children build vocabulary and express themselves with confidence.
- Physical Development – From climbing and balancing to pencil grip and cutting, we develop both gross and fine motor skills in fun, purposeful ways.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – We create a culture of kindness, resilience, and respect through strong relationships, daily routines, and opportunities for children to express their feelings.
- Literacy – We make reading and writing meaningful by connecting it to real life, rich texts, and children’s interests. As part of our literacy programme, children in FS also take core texts each half term.
- Mathematics – We bring numbers, shapes, and patterns to life through play, puzzles, and problem-solving activities.
- Understanding the World – From nature walks and cooking to cultural celebrations and technology, children make sense of their world in exciting, hands-on ways.
- Expressive Arts and Design – Creativity flourishes through music, movement, imaginative play, and art that invites self-expression.
Enrichment & Impact
- Outdoor learning and real-world exploration
- Field trips and community connections
- Buddy reading programmes with older pupils
- Parent Conference and workshops and take-home activities
Children leave Foundation Stage as curious, confident learners ready to take on Year 1 with joy and independence
PRIMARY
Key Stage One encompasses Years 1 and 2. In keeping with our school ethos of a motivated and ambitious community, we believe our question-based curriculum, along with engaging and relevant contextual hooks, is key to our learner’s success. The teachers plan an enquiry-based approach to learning, building on the child-centred foundations set in the Early Years. Phonics and mathematics activities are provided every day and pupils further develop reading, writing and problem-solving skills. Each term an overarching question is presented such as ‘Will we always need trees?’ to make links between history, geography and science. Drawing upon the expertise of our subject specialists, our curriculum is enhanced by, sport, IT and art.
The children continue to study the question based British curriculum, bringing their learning to life through cross-curricular links and by developing their understanding of the world around them. Our teaching is child-centred yet promotes a strong sense of independence. Additional specialist teaching and learning opportunities are introduced at this stage, children have access to experiments in our science labs as well as residential excursions. Children take part in regional and international competitions in a variety of curriculum areas.
Technology plays a significant role in the Upper Primary School provision, with our students taking ownership of their learning and taking more responsibility for our POP, or Proof of Progress ethos. Students are expected to be able to articulate their learning and discuss their academic journey. This is often recorded and their digital learning journey makes this accessible by all stakeholders at any moment. To compliment this approach, we have Bring Your Own Device programme (BYOD) that will, once fully embedded, begin in Term 3 Year 3.
Once the children reach Year 6, they will begin their preparation for the next stage of their educational journey, developing their independent learning skills with a project based learning approach in preparation for Year 7 at PMBS
Our Secondary Curriculum
In our Secondary School, learning is purposeful, ambitious and designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and character needed to succeed both academically and beyond the classroom. Through a broad and well-structured curriculum, students are challenged and supported to achieve their very best. Learning is carefully sequenced to deepen understanding over time, while engaging lessons build confidence, independence and a strong foundation of subject knowledge. Teaching is adaptive, ensuring that all learners are supported appropriately while also providing stretch and challenge for those who are ready to go further. This academic journey prepares students not only for examinations, but also for future pathways and real-world success. At KS4, we offer a range of subjects at iGCSE level such as English, Maths, Sciences, Humanities, Global Citizenship, Business, Economics and ICT and Computer Science.
Alongside academic excellence, we place a strong emphasis on pastoral care and student wellbeing. Through our daily WHOLEBeing programme, students develop essential life skills, emotional awareness and personal resilience. Dedicated form tutors play a key role in this journey, building positive relationships and ensuring that every student is known, valued and supported. Our pastoral approach creates a safe, inclusive environment where students feel confident, secure and ready to learn, empowering them to thrive both personally and academically.
We are equally committed to developing character and leadership, encouraging every student to grow as an individual and make a meaningful contribution to the school community. Through opportunities such as Student Leadership, House Captains, mentoring and school events, students are encouraged to take responsibility, show initiative and lead with integrity. Our “Leave Your Footprint” ethos inspires students to make a positive impact, fostering teamwork, confidence and leadership skills that will support them long after they leave