Adjustments Made to Our Curriculum  

As directed by the DfE in the guide for reopening schools, we have prioritised core skills and identified the 'key' knowledge children need, in order to address significant gaps in pupils knowledge. We have done this whilst also ensuring that our curriculum continues to be broad and balanced and offers a wide range of enrichment opportunities. 

When designing a curriculum, Easterside Academy has recognised the very wide social and economic backgrounds of our families.

Our aim is to provide all our children with an engaging, exciting and empowering curriculum. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, subject specific skills, knowledge, concepts, vocabulary and values with a vision to prepare them for life beyond primary school. It has been carefully designed to ensure that we have coverage of the National Curriculum; progression of skills, concepts and knowledge; as well as going beyond this in order to ensure we provide the curriculum that our pupils both want and need in order for them to be successful and happy. This includes our ‘101 Things to do before you leave Easterside Academy’. 

Our curriculum is designed to promote and sustain a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning, with each of our carefully chosen ‘topics’ being driven by an enquiry question. Some of our curriculum content is subject specific, whilst other content is combined in a cross-curricular approach. This enables children to make meaningful links throughout their learning, with ‘real’ and memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills. Continuous provision, in the form of daily routines also allows for the teaching of some aspects of the curriculum. Our curriculum design builds in opportunities to allow for retrieval practise of previously learned content, supporting children to know and remember more in the long term. 

We aim to provide a creative, highly inclusive, challenging and real-world curriculum that inspires future thinkers, innovators and problem solvers in an environment that stimulates and supports high quality learning, both indoors and outdoors and giving them access to the latest technology. Teaching and learning at Easterside Academy is adaptive. Teachers have an understanding of different pupil needs; provide opportunity for all pupils to experience success; meet individual needs; group pupils effectively.


Our curriculum builds upon pupils’ strengths, interests, prior knowledge and experiences and develops children’s confidence in their capacity to learn and work both independently and collaboratively. It allows pupils to gain knowledge and skills by investigating and responding to complex questions, problems, or challenge. It involves essential questions; 21st century skills; in depth enquiry; pupil voice; peer critique; learning for purpose and authentic audiences.

The wellbeing agenda is at the heart of Easterside Academy’s curriculum. 

In recognising the development of the whole child, the pastoral support given to children so they can access the curriculum is very strong. The school has various systems in place, such as the THRIVE Approach, which support the personal, emotional and mental well-being of children. 

Emotional and mental wellbeing is also greatly enhanced by sport and ‘active learning’ at our school. This is central to both our curriculum and extra-curricular provision, as we know this is hugely beneficial to our children. We believe strongly in the pedagogy of P.E. and the Spirit of the Games - School Games Values.

Self-Belief, Respect, Honesty, Determination and Teamwork. These values permeate through our entire curriculum and in everything, we do.  

Our aim is to provide opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society.  There is a high focus on developing children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural understanding, as well as understanding and appreciating British Values, ensuring all our children are well prepared for life in modern Britain. Parents and families are given regular opportunities to engage with their child’s curriculum and learning, leading to increased levels of engagement. Enjoyment of our curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour.

Children leave Easterside Academy with a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community where they have the confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections and become lifelong learners.

Our approach to our curriculum is fully inclusive and complies with our duties in the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.

The subject specific curriculum details can be found on each individual subject page under the Curriculum Subjects menu.