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Cornerstones Curriculum

Our 2 year rolling curriculum is carefully designed to help children build and retain the required subject knowledge and skills to help them build their understanding of the concepts of the curriculum. Built on the national curriculum programmes of study, the curriculum begins with Big Ideas that steer the whole curriculum. These Big Ideas are broken down into smaller subject-specific concepts and aspects. These are further broken down to form a robust knowledge and skills framework that underpins the whole curriculum. The framework provides clear endpoints and curriculum-related expectations, from the Early Years to Year 6.

Cornerstone's four-stage pedagogy is built on academic research and years of practical teaching experience. It has four key elements to it: thus four - (corner), ‘stones’.

Engage Stage

This is to ‘hook’ learners in with a memorable experience.

Sets the scene and provide the context for learning.

Asks questions to find out children's interests.

Develop

This is the section focused on teaching facts and information for deeper understanding and knowledge.

Demonstrate new skills and allow time for consolidation.

Provide creative opportunities for making and doing.

Innovate

This area provides imaginative scenarios that encourage creative thinking.

Enables children to apply previously learned skills.

Encourages enterprise and independent thinking.

Express

This section provides environments for reflective talk.

Creates opportunities for shared evaluation.

Celebrates and share children's success.

Identifies next steps for learning.