At Barnes Infant Academy, our curriculum is shaped by a clear vision for every child and guided by four core curriculum drivers. These drivers influence the knowledge we prioritise, the way learning is structured and the experiences we provide for our pupils.

These drivers guide the design of our curriculum, ensuring clarity, coherence and high expectations for every child.

Our Curriculum Intent

At Barnes Infant Academy, our curriculum is designed to ensure every child develops the knowledge, vocabulary and understanding they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Rooted in our drivers of Belonging, Communication, Curiosity and Resilience, our curriculum is carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich. We prioritise clearly defined substantive knowledge, explicitly taught vocabulary and meaningful opportunities for pupils to apply what they have learned over time.

We recognise that secure learning develops gradually. Through deliberate practice, regular retrieval and carefully structured progression, children strengthen their understanding and build firm foundations for Key Stage 2.

Our curriculum reflects our local context, celebrates our community and ensures that every child develops confidence, secure knowledge and a strong sense of belonging within the wider world.

How learning is structured at Barnes

Learning at Barnes Infant Academy is organised into clearly defined units built around important concepts and questions. Each unit identifies the most important knowledge and vocabulary that pupils need to remember and revisit over time.

Teachers regularly revisit previously taught knowledge through retrieval practice so that learning moves from short-term understanding into secure long-term memory. This ensures that knowledge builds progressively across the curriculum and prepares pupils for the next stage of learning.