Curriculum

 

All of our actions in school are informed by our guiding principles that form ‘The Porthleven Way’.

The ‘Porthleven Way’ imagery is useful to children because it provides a clear and relatable visual metaphor for their learning journey. The coastal path and ocean steps help children understand abstract concepts like growth and achievement in a concrete way, while the beach offers a reassuring sense of safety as a starting point. This imagery connects to their environment and experiences, making the affirmations more memorable and meaningful.

Our curriculum is no exception to this and is planned and delivered within the framework created by the guiding principles. We firmly believe that to be in the best place to progress, children need to feel safe and that they belong. This enables children to build strong relationships and emphasise that we are all in this together.  It fosters a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, takes responsibility, and are empowered to achieve their best.

Our priority is that we have a curriculum that meets the needs of our community.

We recognise the importance of developing a breadth and wealth of knowledge that we refer to as our ‘Ocean of Knowledge’ using the metaphor of the sea and our learning journey.  Subjects are mostly taught discretely but links are sometimes made to strengthen the children’s ocean of knowledge. Each subject contains ‘Essential Knowledge’, that some schools call ‘Sticky knowledge’ but we refer to it as ‘knowledge drops’ to add to our learning metaphor.

Our curriculum is broad, rich, and balanced, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to build, apply, and express their knowledge across different subjects. We recognise that our children come from a variety of backgrounds, each bringing unique experiences, strengths, and perspectives to the classroom.

To make learning inclusive and accessible for all, our curriculum is designed to immerse children in a wide range of subjects each week. This allows them to develop a deep understanding, make meaningful connections between concepts, and build confidence in their learning. Alongside this, we provide experiences beyond the classroom to ensure that every child, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to explore, engage, and succeed.

By embracing diversity and providing a rich and varied learning experience, we help all children feel a sense of belonging, develop resilience, and gain the skills they need to make informed choices, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities with confidence