Thinking Pathway – Curriculum Overview

The Thinking Pathway is our formal curriculum, designed for children who are ready to access learning from the National Curriculum. Unlike a traditional age-based model, children on this pathway learn at the level that is developmentally right for them. This ensures that learning is ambitious yet achievable, giving every pupil the opportunity to make meaningful progress and experience success.

Children learn through structured lessons, practical activities and cross-curricular projects that build independence, problem-solving, communication and academic confidence. Staff adapt tasks, resources and expectations to meet each pupil’s individual needs, strengths and learning style. The Thinking Pathway prepares children to apply their knowledge in real-life situations and equips them with the skills needed for secondary education and beyond.

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Thematic Learning

The Thinking Pathway is taught through a two-year rolling programme of rich, cross-curricular themes. These topics make learning meaningful, engaging and memorable, allowing children to make links across subjects and deepen their understanding.

	Cycle 1			Cycle 2
	Autumn	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Year 1	Fire, Fire!	Penguins, Possums & Pigs	Growth & Green Fingers	Family Album	Robots	The Great Outdoors
Lead subjects	History, DT, Music	Geography, Science, Art	Science, DT, Art	History, Art, Geography	Science, Music	Science, Geography, DT
Year 2	Fighting Fit!	Explorers	Buckets & Spades	The Place Where I Live	The Farm Shop	All Creatures Great & Small (Wind in the Willows)
Lead subjects	Science, Art, Music	History, Geography, DT	Science, History, Art	History, Geography, Art, Music	Science, DT	Science, Geography, DT, Music, Art
Year 3	No Place Like Home	Healthy Humans	Romans	The Iron Man	Rock & Roll	How Does Your Garden Grow?
Lead subjects	Geography, History	Science, DT, Art, Music	History, Geography, Art	DT, Science, Music	Science, History, Geography, Art	Science, DT
Year 4	Sparks Might Fly!	The Art of Food	Water, Water Everywhere	The Great Plague	Hunted	Passport to Europe
Lead subjects	Science, DT, Music	Science, Art, Geography	Science, Geography, History, Art	History, Geography, Art	Science, DT, Geography	Geography, DT, Music
Year 5	A Kingdom United	Food, Glorious Food!	Earthlings	Amazon Adventures	Inventors & Inventions	Faster, Higher, Stronger!
Lead subjects	Geography, Music, History	Geography, DT, Science	Science, Music, Art	Geography, Science, DT, Art	History, DT, Science	History, Science, Art, Music

Each topic includes clear learning outcomes based on the National Curriculum and is carefully adapted to ensure accessibility for all learners. Activities may include experiments, outdoor learning, creative arts, investigations, role play, problem-solving and practical projects.

Why a Thematic Curriculum?

✔ Helps children make connections across subjects
✔ Builds motivation and curiosity
✔ Allows for repetition and reinforcement of key skills
✔ Supports long-term memory through meaningful contexts
✔ Provides exciting real-world opportunities for learning

A two-year cycle also allows pupils to revisit key knowledge and skills more than once, strengthening understanding and memory while boosting confidence.

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Areas of Learning

Children on the Thinking Pathway access all areas of the National Curriculum, including:

English

Children explore reading, writing, spelling, phonics, handwriting, speaking and listening. They learn through stories, poetry, information texts and real-world writing tasks, building vocabulary, comprehension and independence.

Mathematics

Pupils develop skills in number, calculation, fractions, shape, measure and problem-solving. Practical resources, hands-on learning and visual strategies help children deepen their understanding and apply skills in everyday situations.

Science

Children learn to ask questions, investigate, observe, test ideas and draw conclusions. Topics include materials, plants, animals, electricity, forces, light, sound and more, taught through practical experiments and real-world exploration.

History & Geography

Pupils learn about the world, past and present, through maps, artefacts, timelines, visits, research and enquiry. Topics may include Romans, Explorers, local geography, weather, continents and historical events.

Design Technology & Art

Children develop creativity, design, problem-solving and practical skills through making, building, construction, drawing, painting, sculpture and crafts linked to their theme.

Music

Children explore instruments, rhythm, singing, sound and composition in fun, accessible and creative ways.

PE

Physical development includes team games, dance, athletics, movement, balance and coordination skills. Children learn to be active, healthy and confident in physical challenges.

Computing

Pupils learn early coding, internet safety, digital communication, using technology for learning and exploring safe online behaviour.

PSHRE

Personal development continues to be central. Children learn about emotions, relationships, safety, independence, healthy choices and life skills through Thrive, myHappymind and structured PSHRE lessons.

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How Progress is Measured

Children on the Thinking Pathway are assessed against National Curriculum expectations, adapted to match their developmental level. Progress is monitored through:

• Lesson observations and daily feedback

• Termly assessments linked to National Curriculum objectives

• Personalised learning plans and EHCP targets

• Regular progress reviews shared with families

Where needed, children also receive targeted interventions for communication, literacy, numeracy, behaviour, sensory needs and emotional regulation.

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What Makes the Thinking Pathway Special?

✔ Follows the National Curriculum at the right level for each child
✔ Thematic topics make learning exciting, relevant and memorable
✔ Builds independence, problem-solving and academic confidence
✔ Allows for over-learning and repetition to support long-term memory
✔ Prepares pupils for secondary learning and life beyond school
✔ Adapted and differentiated so all children can achieve success
✔ Offers a clear progression route from the Doing or Being Pathway