Curriculum Rationale

At Soke Education Trust, our curriculum rationale is founded on delivering a coherent, knowledge-rich, and research-informed education that fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum while reflecting the unique needs and aspirations of our pupils. We have adopted evidence-based schemes such as Ark Maths Mastery or White Rose Maths Hub, and The Curriculum of the Unity Schools Partnership (CUSP) because these provide comprehensive coverage and clear progression pathways across all subjects. These schemes are underpinned by robust cognitive science research and pedagogical principles, including Rosenshine’s instructional principles, ensuring that pupils are supported to develop deep, durable understanding rather than superficial knowledge.

Inclusion runs through every aspect of our curriculum design. We are committed to providing quality first teaching that engineers success for every pupil, ensuring that all learners are supported to access and master the curriculum. Teachers are equipped with the knowledge and resources to anticipate and address common misconceptions, differentiate effectively, and scaffold learning so that all pupils can build confidence and achieve mastery.

Our curriculum is designed to be aspirational and inclusive, enabling all pupils to strive for high achievement and transform their life opportunities. By using trust-wide, research-validated schemes, we reduce teacher workload related to curriculum planning and content selection, allowing educators to focus on high-quality teaching and responsive instruction that anticipates and addresses common misconceptions. This approach supports mastery and fluency, building pupils’ confidence and fostering positive dispositions towards learning.

The curriculum also incorporates government-approved synthetic phonics schemes to secure early literacy, a fundamental pillar for accessing the wider curriculum. Furthermore, our schools enrich the core schemes with bespoke units and activities that reflect local community contexts and values, ensuring relevance and engagement. We maintain fidelity to the local authority’s PSHCE and RE frameworks, ensuring statutory compliance and promoting pupils’ personal development alongside academic progress.

This curriculum rationale aligns with the National Curriculum by ensuring all statutory content is systematically covered and sequenced to build complex mental models. It is appropriate for our pupils because it balances high expectations with structured support, fostering both knowledge acquisition and critical thinking skills. It is aspirational through its emphasis on mastery, inclusion, collaboration, and the development of integrity and aspiration, consistent with our Trust vision.

Curriculum Aims

Our curriculum is intrinsically linked to Soke Education Trust’s vision and values: to strive for high achievement, explore the world around us, and transform life opportunities. The curriculum promotes collaboration among pupils and staff, fostering a community of learners who aspire to excellence and operate with integrity. By providing a broad and balanced curriculum, we enable pupils to build foundational knowledge and skills while encouraging curiosity and critical thinking about the world.

Inclusion is embedded throughout our curriculum, ensuring all pupils have equitable access to learning opportunities. We support teachers in delivering quality first teaching that is responsive to diverse needs, enabling every pupil to succeed. This inclusive approach reinforces our commitment to holistic education by embedding social and emotional development alongside academic progress.

The use of consistent, research-based schemes across the Trust ensures equity of access and coherence, reinforcing our aspiration to raise standards for all pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Communication with Stakeholders

To ensure successful implementation and buy-in, we recommend clear, ongoing communication with all stakeholders:

• Parents and carers: Regular newsletters and workshops explaining the rationale behind the chosen schemes, how they support pupil progress, and ways to support learning at home.

• Pupils: Age-appropriate discussions about the purpose of their learning, linking curriculum content to real-world contexts and their own aspirations.

• Staff: Professional development sessions focused on curriculum intent, sequencing, pedagogy, and inclusive practice, alongside collaborative planning time to share best practice and address common misconceptions.

• Governors and Trustees: Detailed reports and presentations demonstrating how curriculum choices align with the National Curriculum, school vision, and improvement priorities, supported by data on pupil progress and engagement.

 

Our curriculum demonstrates a clear, strategic approach to its design and implementation that meets the evolving expectations of Ofsted’s framework and ensures all pupils at Soke Education Trust receive a high-quality, knowledge-rich, and inclusive education that prepares them for future success.