At Riverside Primary School, where everyone matters and every day counts, we want our children to leave us as confident, knowledgeable and ambitious young people, ready to thrive in the wider world.
We are proud to serve our community and are committed to providing every child with the opportunities, experiences and support they need to flourish both academically and personally.
Our curriculum is designed not only to deliver the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, but also to broaden horizons, nurture ambition and open doors to future opportunities. We believe that every child can succeed, and our ambitious, inclusive curriculum is carefully designed to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence children need for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Everything we do is brought together through three important elements:
Our STAR Values shape how we live and learn.
Our Curriculum Drivers shape what we deliberately develop.
Together, they help our children become Riverside Learners.
Our STAR values underpin our school culture and the way we approach learning, relationships and school life.
These values are woven throughout school life, encouraging positive relationships, high expectations and pride in personal achievement.
Our curriculum is shaped by five key drivers which reflect what our Riverside children need and what we deliberately seek to develop through their learning and wider school experiences.
Knowledge of the World – Know more. Understand more.
We develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, helping them build on previous learning, make connections and broaden their horizons.
Communication – Speak. Read. Write with confidence.
We prioritise language, vocabulary, reading, speaking, listening and writing, enabling children to communicate confidently and effectively.
Global Citizens – Respect others. Change the world.
Children learn about different people, places, cultures and perspectives, developing kindness, empathy, responsibility and respect for others.
Health and Wellbeing – Healthy minds. Healthy bodies.
We support children’s physical and emotional wellbeing, helping them develop healthy lifestyles, positive relationships and the resilience to manage challenges.
Ambition – Dream big. Aim high.
We encourage children to believe in themselves, discover their strengths, embrace new opportunities and develop aspirations for their future.
Our Curriculum Drivers enrich learning across Riverside. They do not replace the knowledge and skills taught within individual subjects but help ensure that our curriculum is meaningful, ambitious and relevant to the children we teach.
Our STAR values and Curriculum Drivers come together in the qualities we want to develop in every child.
We want Riverside Learners to be curious, knowledgeable, confident, respectful, resilient, ambitious, inclusive, independent and proud.
These qualities reflect our ambition for children to leave Riverside not only well prepared academically, but also equipped with the confidence, character and positive attitudes needed to succeed beyond primary school.
Our curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 so that children build secure knowledge, skills and understanding over time.
We believe that high-quality teaching has the greatest impact on children’s learning. Teachers use clear explanations, explicit modelling, purposeful practice and regular opportunities to revisit previously taught knowledge. Assessment is used to check understanding, identify misconceptions and inform future teaching.
Strong foundations in reading, writing, communication and mathematics are prioritised, ensuring children develop the essential knowledge and fluency needed to access the wider curriculum.
Each subject has its own carefully planned progression of knowledge and skills. Children learn important subject content alongside the distinctive ways of thinking and working within each discipline. Meaningful links between subjects are made where these deepen understanding, while maintaining the integrity of individual subjects.
At Riverside, we believe that every child is entitled to a rich and ambitious curriculum, regardless of their starting points, background or additional needs.
Our inclusive approach begins with high-quality classroom teaching. Teachers identify potential barriers to learning and use appropriate adaptations, including explicit vocabulary teaching, modelling, visual resources, scaffolding and additional practice, to help children access and succeed in their learning.
Where necessary, carefully selected and targeted interventions provide additional support to secure essential knowledge and skills. These complement, rather than replace, children’s entitlement to the wider curriculum.
We maintain high expectations for all children, supporting them to develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.
We believe that a Riverside education extends far beyond classroom lessons.
Our wider curriculum provides a rich range of experiences, including educational visits, residential trips, sporting opportunities, music, performances, clubs, community projects and opportunities for leadership.
These experiences help children discover new interests, develop talents, strengthen relationships and broaden their understanding of the world. They bring our Curriculum Drivers and STAR values to life, creating opportunities for every child to grow, achieve and develop ambition for their future.
Our aim is for children to leave Riverside with secure knowledge, a love of learning and the confidence to embrace future opportunities.
Through our carefully sequenced curriculum, children develop increasing understanding, remember and apply what they have learned, and make meaningful connections across their education.
We want children to become confident communicators, curious learners, resilient and independent individuals, respectful citizens and ambitious young people who believe in their potential.
Our STAR values shape our culture. Our Curriculum Drivers shape our curriculum. Together, they develop Riverside Learners.
Where everyone matters and every day counts.
For more information about our curriculum, please explore our Curriculum Statement, subject-specific curriculum pages, long-term planning and curriculum newsletters.
Information about how we support children with additional needs and ensure equality of access can also be found in our SEND and Equality policies.
For more information about our curriculum, please feel free to contact our Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Watts.
If you require paper copies of any of the information on this website, please contact us. Copies can be provided free of charge.