Whole School Curriculum Intent

Our curriculum supports our school vision, that at Dagenham Park Church of England School we believe, we grow, we succeed.

Our curriculum has a moral purpose and encapsulates our Christian ethos through its Believe, Grow, Succeed vision, Dagenham Park Learning Habits and Healthy Schools Status. We promote a Christian ethos of celebrating the uniqueness of every human being, developing pupils physically, mentally and spiritually whilst requiring sensitivity, tolerance and respect from all members of our community. The vision, habits and ethos develop ethical growth, character and confidence in pupils as well as promote British values and life skills. Leadership opportunities which span all stages; an Equalities Group, Arts Council, School Council and Head Boy and Girl in the Sixth Form, provide occasion for kindness, dignity, humanity, and allow diversity to be celebrated and valued. Our curriculum promotes wellbeing and positive mental health. It guides pupils to grow positive relationships and become role models who are equipped to cope with the world around them in a safe, responsible, and resilient manner.

Our curriculum is academically aspirational, broad, and balanced, and is catered to the diversity of our pupils. We have a three-year Key Stage 3 programme for Years 7,8 and 9, which goes beyond the National Curriculum, followed by a two-year Key Stage 4 programme for Years 10 and 11, with a range of options subjects, and at KS5 a varied offer. We offer a range of academic and vocational courses and there is well established and specialist teaching of our EAL (English as an Additional Language) and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) pupils. Our curriculum is truly inclusive and focussed on developing each child as an individual. It meets the needs and local context of our school community and is responsive to changes in wider society.

Our schemes of learning build on pupil prior knowledge, are clearly sequenced and provide a wealth of opportunities for pupils to acquire deep understanding of subject content and skills and embed this into their long-term memory. Our curriculum is designed to engage our pupils, including collaborative learning opportunities, resilience and problem solving and opportunities for stretch and challenge for all pupils. Literacy is prioritised across the curriculum, we have dedicated speaking and listening days, Drop Everything and Read time, and our lessons are vocabulary rich. Creativity is a key aspect of our curriculum and is embedded through the Dagenham Park Learning Habits, which encourage self-regulation and metacognition.

Our curriculum offers high-quality wider experiences and opportunities and develops cultural capital. It is varied and allows pupils to embrace opportunities and flourish while developing confidence and courage which augment learning. DPCofE places great focus upon participation equality through its onsite events, guest speakers, reading, extracurricular clubs, sports academies, trips in the UK and abroad and prestigious Arts Mark status.

Our curriculum prepares pupils for their future, is forward thinking and insightful. It nurtures pupils’ next steps through aspirational information, advice and guidance for careers, UCAS and Apprenticeship application. It relates to national labour markets and pupil goals. It enables pupils to Believe, Grow and Succeed in the 21st century world in which their future sits.

These four strands provide pupils with an education that develops pupils into proud individuals who are purposeful about their futures. DPCofE School educates its pupils as global citizens and leads them towards an appreciation of human creativity, achievement and wellbeing. The holistic DPCofE School curriculum is ambitious in its approach and strives for social change, and success for all. Overall, our curriculum empowers pupils to grow through learning so that they succeed in the modern world.