At Julian’s, the children are taught Science, computing and the wider curriculum subjects (History, Geography, Art and Design Technology) through a thematic approach.

Each term, the curriculum is underpinned by a key enquiry question. For example ‘Should we stop eating chocolate?’, ‘Who were the greatest builders?’

At the beginning of each theme there is a hook activity to introduce the key question. This provides a stimulus for their learning and provides pupils with a way to fully engage in the theme. During this session, there is a knowledge harvest where the teachers find out what the pupils already know. This is used as an assessment tool at the end of the theme when this is re-visited and the children add the knowledge or skills they have gained throughout the theme. At the end of each term, the children will have to opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through a project or celebration. Where possible, meaningful links are made across other curriculum areas and a core text complements the learning around the theme.

Educational visits and workshops are in integral part of our curriculum offer and an enrichment activity is planned during every theme. This often forms a visit or trip linked to the theme or a visitor or workshop delivered in school. These activities allow pupils the opportunity to have real life experiences linked to their theme. Some of the enrichment activities the children have enjoyed this year include visits to The Science Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Transport Museum and workshops on chocolate making, building rollercoasters and the Anglo Saxons.