Curriculum
Cuckmere House School is committed to delivering a rich, broad, and balanced curriculum that nurtures academic, social, and practical development through our Head, Heart and Hand approach. Our intent is to foster critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and resilience, ensuring that all pupils leave with the knowledge, skills, and emotional intelligence required to succeed in further education, employment, and independent life.
At the core of our curriculum design are the CARES values (Courage, Compassion, Achievement, Accountability, Resilience, Respect, Effort, Engagement, Safety and Support), which are embedded into daily teaching and learning experiences. These values were developed following whole-school training on the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME), which deepened staff understanding of how pupils’ neurodevelopmental readiness influences their ability to engage with learning. Delivered in 2023–24 by an Educational Psychologist, the training included CPD for all staff, followed by in-class observations and reflective coaching. This helped shape a shared, trauma-informed language and informed the creation of the CARES framework, which places pupils' emotional, cognitive, and social development at the centre of our curriculum approach.
The CARES values underpin our aim to develop well-rounded and balanced young people by fostering personal responsibility, resilience, and respect for others. They support students’ academic and social development, ensuring they acquire not only subject-specific knowledge but also essential life skills that prepare them for the future. Through structured lessons, enrichment opportunities, and pastoral care, students are consistently encouraged to demonstrate these values in their interactions and learning journeys.
A WARM AND VIBRANT WELCOME AWAITS EVERYONE WHO ATTENDS THIS INCLUSIVE SCHOOL. POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BUILD ON A CULTURE OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND AMBITION TO SUPPORT PUPILS TO THRIVE, BOTH SOCIALLY AND ACADEMICALLY. (OFSTED 2024)
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the diverse needs of our learners, many of whom have experienced disrupted education, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges. As such, we employ trauma-informed teaching practices, scaffolding learning experiences to bridge gaps, and prioritise relationship building to re-engage students in their learning.
Leaders at Cuckmere House School and across the SABDEN Multi Academy Trust have driven a comprehensive curriculum review, ensuring that all subject areas follow a well-sequenced, coherent and purposeful framework. This process has resulted in the creation of Learning Maps that clearly define the key knowledge and skills for each subject, ensuring a consistent approach to curriculum delivery. These Learning Maps have informed the development of Annual Overviews, which outline the learning journey for each year group. This structured approach has then been further refined into Long-Term and Medium-Term Plans, providing detailed guidance on the sequencing of content to enhance knowledge retention and skill development.
The curriculum has been thoughtfully redesigned using the Core, Explore, and Enrich framework and is structured to ensure coherence and progression across all key stage:
- Primary Phase (KS1 & KS2): We establish a strong foundation in core skills including reading, writing, numerical fluency, and social development. The curriculum is designed to be sequential and developmentally appropriate, supporting pupils to retain knowledge, master key skills, and develop the social and emotional competencies needed to thrive in both learning and relationships.
- Secondary Phase (KS3 & KS4): Students follow a knowledge-rich curriculum tailored to secure strong future pathways. Literacy interventions and targeted pastoral support enable students to overcome barriers to learning while fostering independence and resilience.
- Flexible Learning Provision (FLP) & Tower House: These provisions support students with significant SEMH and ASC needs, offering an adapted curriculum and intensive pastoral support to facilitate academic progress and personal development.
THE SCHOOL HAS CONSTRUCTED AN AMBITIOUS CURRICULUM TO PREPARE PUPILS WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THEY NEED. (OFSTED 2024)
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