Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust - Core Knowledge Curriculum

Building on material designed by Civitas, the Core Knowledge Partnership in the UK, Cuckoo Hall Academies Trust (CHAT) has introduced delivery of the core knowledge curriculum in its four Primary academies. The Core Knowledge curriculum aims to provide memorable experiences and rich opportunities for high-quality learning and wider personal development and wellbeing.

CHAT appointed a Core Knowledge leader who provided training and support for subject leads. Primary and secondary subject specialists delivered subject specific training in areas of development as identified through teacher testing. Training was provided to other schools on how to implementing the Core Knowledge curriculum within their organisation.

From qualitative analysis of the results to date CHAT are able to report that the introduction of Core Knowledge, now known as Knowledge for All, has had a positive impact upon attainment of pupils in the focus areas of History, Geography and Music and Art. The analysis is on-going and CHAT continues to develop and refine its schemes of work which can be seen from the Core Knowledge Curriculum Map 2015-16.

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We have regular formal planning meetings on a weekly basis for our all our curriculum areas, including Knowledge for All as it is integrated fully into our overall curriculum. As in all areas of curriculum monitoring, we also hold both formal reviews and there will be informal meetings of teaching staff talking about 'Where we are' and 'What we are doing', 'Does anybody have anything exciting on Ancient Mesopotamia' or 'Spatial Sense'. This we believe very much reflects that many teachers will themselves, if trained and qualified, have confidence in delivering the Knowledge for All subjects.

Sharon Ahmet: [email protected]

David Penkert: [email protected]