Sequencing the Primary Curriculum

Seamus Gibbons is currently the Executive Principal for a number of London primary schools and the primary phase lead for the initial teacher training programme of the largest multi academy trust in the country (which was recently graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted). Seamus has led schools to achieve the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating and passionately believes in the positive foundation primary education sets for the future success of all children, regardless of background. Seamus has a Masters in Effective Learning (distinction) from the Institute of Education and has also achieved the National Qualification for Executive Leadership. He was a member of the DFE’s headteacher reference group for over five years and when he is not engaged in all things education, Seamus loves to travel and see as much of the world as possible. Emma Lennard is an independent primary curriculum advisor, working with schools across the country. She currently works with the Knowledge Schools Trust to develop the Primary Knowledge Curriculum; writing curriculum content, developing CPD for teachers and delivering training. Emma also delivers initial teacher training for a national multi-academy trust. She previously worked with the Westminster based think-tank, Civitas, developing the Core Knowledge UK curriculum. Emma has supported DfE panels on National Professional Qualifications and Early Years. Before completing a PGCE with the Primary Catholic Partnership in Southampton and then teaching in central London, Emma worked for a member of the European Parliament in Brussels and studied International Relations at the University of Exeter. Emma lives in London with her husband and their two young boys who frequently remind her that she still has lots to learn about the world.

I wish I’d had access to this kind of resource, which provides precise and definitive answers to many of our sector’s most pressing questions about the curriculum. Why should we sequence it? What benefits does it offer for children′s learning? How do we execute it effectively?

• Part 1Chapter 1: What is the curriculum?Chapter 2: The National CurriculumChapter 3: A coherent, sequenced primary curriculumChapter 4: Diversity and inclusionPart 2Chapter 5: Early ReadingChapter 6: EnglishChapter 7: MathsChapter 8: ScienceChapter 9: HistoryChapter 10: GeographyChapter 11: ArtChapter 12: MusicChapter 13: Design TechnologyChapter 14: PEChapter 15: LanguagesChapter 16: Personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE)Chapter 17: Computing