Curriculum Collaboration

We are ambitious for every child and colleague across our Trust. We continue to work together as a community to evaluate, research and construct a dynamic, rich and broad curriculum that is tailored to the context of each school and every child.

Aligned Autonomy for Secondary Curriculum

One of the benefits of being a part of our Trust is that schools retain their independence, especially regarding the curriculum they deliver. With five secondary schools serving very diverse catchments this seemed like the right course of action. But this year, we have looked to achieve a state of ‘aligned autonomy’ which celebrates the difference of our schools and allows leaders at all levels to make decisions which best serve their communities, at the same time, looking for commonalities in our approaches, sharing good practice and actively seeking out opportunities to collaborate. Read more

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Subject Leads and Network Groups for Primary Curriculum

This year saw the introduction of Trust Primary Subject Leads. Claire Dodgson from Rossett Acre Primary School is our Trust Writing Lead, Libby Sims, also from Rossett Acre Primary School, is our Trust Maths Lead, and Laura Lightfoot from Templenewsam Halton Primary School is our Trust Early Years and Phonics Lead. These colleagues are instrumental in collaborating with our subject teachers to share best practice and develop an aligned curriculum across our primary schools.

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Transition to Year One Project

January 2024 saw the launch of the ‘Transition to Year One project’. A collaboration with Professor Julie Fisher for senior Trust leaders, Early Years leaders and Year One teams. The project is designed to support teams in the continuity of provision and practice between the Early Years curriculum and the Year One curriculum. A survey of participants revealed a very positive response to the project.

“I found the training so valuable and something in my early career that I know I will draw on all the time in the future.”

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Year One Networks

Our Year One colleagues have had the opportunity to attend network meetings every half term since the launch of ‘The Transition to Year One Project'. These networks have provided support on in the following areas: Timetables in Year One, provision development - what works well, writing moderation and assessment practices.  In July 2024, Year One colleagues had the opportunity to meet for the first time and celebrate all they had achieved this year at a network meeting hosted at Templenewsam Halton Primary School.

“The new Year One networking group has been so supportive, small things another school do that you can implement has been a game changer. I spend every session say ooooh I love that idea, or thinking yes, I am trying that... thank you for arranging it, it makes small schools suddenly not so small when you can share ideas.”