Our curriculum journey

At Daresbury Primary School, our curriculum is about much more than the knowledge children learn in individual subjects. We want every child to SHINE, developing the knowledge, skills, confidence and character they need to succeed at school and prepare for the opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.

Our curriculum is carefully designed to provide children with strong foundations and ambitious learning experiences from the Early Years through to Year 6. Across each subject, learning is progressively sequenced so that children build on what they already know, develop increasingly secure knowledge and skills and make meaningful connections between different areas of their learning.

We believe that children learn best when they are curious, challenged and actively involved. Alongside developing secure subject knowledge, we encourage children to ask questions, explain their thinking, solve problems, explore ideas and become increasingly confident and independent learners.

Helping Every Child to SHINE

At the heart of life at Daresbury is our SHINE framework: Safe, Healthy, Independent, Nurturing and Exploring.

SHINE runs throughout our curriculum and wider school experience. It represents the qualities we want children to develop during their time with us and helps connect academic learning with their wider personal development.

Safe – Children learn how to keep themselves and others safe, recognise risks, make responsible choices and know where to seek help.

Healthy – Children develop an understanding of their physical and mental health and the choices and habits that support their wellbeing.

Independent – Children develop confidence, resilience and responsibility, learning to make decisions, solve problems and take increasing ownership of their learning.

Nurturing – Children learn to show kindness, empathy and respect, build positive relationships and value the experiences and perspectives of others.

Exploring – Children are encouraged to be curious, ask questions, investigate ideas, try new experiences and develop an enthusiasm for discovering more about the world.

Our Values

Our curriculum and wider school life are underpinned by our three values:

Kindness • Integrity • Tenacity

These values are woven throughout children's learning and experiences at Daresbury.

Kindness encourages children to care for others, show empathy and respect and contribute positively to their school and wider community.

Integrity supports children to make responsible choices, be honest, take responsibility for their actions and do the right thing even when it may be difficult.

Tenacity encourages children to persevere, embrace challenge, learn from mistakes and keep going when learning becomes difficult.

Together, SHINE and our values provide a shared language for the knowledge, attitudes and personal qualities we want children to develop throughout their time at Daresbury.

British Values

British Values are woven naturally throughout our curriculum and everyday school life. Children develop an understanding of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and respect for different faiths and beliefs in ways that are meaningful and appropriate to their age.

Through pupil voice, decision-making, working collaboratively, understanding rules, making responsible choices, encountering different viewpoints and learning to disagree respectfully, children experience what these values mean in practice.

Our curriculum introduces children to different people, communities, cultures, beliefs and experiences, helping them develop the knowledge and understanding they need to participate positively in modern Britain and the wider world.

Personal Development and Wellbeing

Children's personal development is an important part of their learning journey at Daresbury. Alongside our curriculum, children have regular opportunities to develop their confidence, resilience, relationships, emotional understanding and wellbeing.

Our My Happy Mind programme complements this wider approach, helping children develop an understanding of themselves, their emotions, their relationships with others and strategies that can support their wellbeing.

This works alongside our PSHE curriculum, online safety education, assemblies and wider school experiences to help children develop the knowledge and confidence to make safe, healthy and responsible choices.

Learning Through Experience

We recognise that some of the most powerful learning happens through experience.

Throughout their time at Daresbury, children have opportunities to take part in residentials, educational visits, visitors to school, performances, sporting opportunities, community activities, workshops and enrichment experiences.

These experiences bring learning to life and give children opportunities to apply what they have learned in authentic situations. They also provide valuable opportunities to practise independence, resilience, teamwork, curiosity and responsibility.

We want children to leave Daresbury with not only strong knowledge and skills, but also a rich collection of experiences and memories that have helped shape who they are.

Pupil Voice and Leadership

We believe children should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to their school and make a difference to the community around them.

Through Junior Leadership and pupil voice, children have opportunities to represent others, share ideas, contribute to decisions and take increasing responsibility within school.

Leadership opportunities across school allow children to develop their confidence, communication, teamwork and sense of responsibility. Children learn that having a voice is not simply about expressing their own opinions; it also means listening to others, considering different perspectives and playing an active part in their community.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum encompasses the full range of subjects, each with its own carefully planned progression of knowledge and skills. While each subject has its own distinctive knowledge, vocabulary and ways of thinking, we encourage children to make meaningful connections across their learning and apply what they know in different contexts.

The subject pages below provide more information about what and how we teach at Daresbury, how learning develops as children progress through school and how each subject contributes to our wider vision for every child.

Through this combination of ambitious curriculum learning, personal development, enrichment and opportunity, our aim is for every child to leave Daresbury as a knowledgeable, confident, resilient and compassionate young person, ready for the next stage of their learning and equipped to continue to SHINE.