Overview
Curriculum Intent
Unapologetically Ambitious!
At Robert Kett Primary School, we use CUSP to guide our curriculum.
Written by Alex Bedford, Unity SP’s Primary Adviser, CUSP is:
‘Connected’
‘Cumulative’
‘Coherent’
CUSP is underpinned by evidence, research and cognitive science. Modules are deliberately sequenced for robust progression and allows teachers to focus on the lesson.
There is an emphasis on oracy and vocabulary acquisition, retention and use to break down learning barriers and accelerate progress. A rich diet of language and vocabulary is deliberately planned for.
Knowing that forgetting is the key to remembering, we use the CUSP curriculum to help children retrieve information over time.
Ebbinghaus's Forgetting Curve
As such, the CUSP curriculum is carefully crafted to:
Specific skills are discreetly taught and practised so that they become transferable. The sequenced modules activate prior learning, build on skills and deepen knowledge AND understanding. Learning, vocabulary and content is cumulative; content is learned, retrieved and built upon.
Schemata form networks of stored information in the long term memory.
At Robert Kett, we are guided by CUSP resources so that teachers can model, children can learn together and then children can apply this knowledge. This reduces cognitive overload and helps information form and build on existing schemata.
Each of our children use high-quality knowledge notes and knowledge organisers which guide the information they need, and the language they need, so that pupils know more and are able to do more.
Where we do not use CUSP, in such areas as maths and computing, the curriculum is underpinned by these guiding principles.
Children at Robert Kett are exposed to high quality books which link to learning and enhance the curriculum.
Our school curriculum is also enhanced with a range of other experiences and opportunities which best meet the learning and developmental needs of our pupils. Learning is exciting and in a meaningful context for children.
At Robert Kett Primary School, we aim to make links with our local community. Examples include a visit to Wymondham Abbey, exploring the River Tiffey and meeting with a local historian.