At Quinton Primary School, our curriculum is designed to inspire a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. Rooted in our motto, “Growing Lifelong Learning,” we aim to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child, ensuring they develop the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to thrive in an ever-changing world.
What is a Knowledge-Based Curriculum?
We follow a knowledge-based curriculum, meaning that the acquisition of knowledge is at the heart of everything we do. This approach ensures that children develop a deep and secure understanding of key concepts, helping them build connections in their learning and apply their knowledge confidently. Our curriculum is structured around the following principles:
Acquisition of knowledge is at the heart – Children are taught the essential knowledge they need to develop a strong foundation for future learning.
Knowledge is specified in meticulous detail – We ensure that all pupils learn key facts, vocabulary, and concepts across all subjects.
Knowledge is acquired in long-term memory – Through repetition, retrieval practice, and engaging lessons, we help children retain and recall their learning.
Knowledge is carefully sequenced over time – Learning is structured so that new knowledge builds upon prior understanding.
There is a focus on subject disciplines – Each subject is taught rigorously, allowing children to develop expertise in different areas of learning.
Knowledge Organisers
At the start of each topic (usually one per half term), children are provided with a Knowledge Organiser—a fact sheet outlining the essential information for that topic. These include key facts, vocabulary, and concepts that children need to know and remember. The idea behind this approach is simple: the more children know off-by-heart, the more they will be able to apply their knowledge in lessons and beyond.
Curriculum Overview
The table below outlines the key topics covered across KS1 & KS2 throughout the school year:
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
| Year 1 | Dinosaurs | People and Animals | Modern Monarchs | Once Upon A Time | Childhood | Poles Apart |
| Year 2 | Africa | London’s Burning! | Wonder Women | The Scented Garden | Pioneers | Beachcombers |
| Year 3 | Egyptians | Stone Age | A Journey Through Europe | Italy | Transport | Extreme Survival |
| Year 4 | Romans | Britain from the Air | Reign Over Us! | World Kitchen | Tudor Warwickshire | Mount Kilimanjaro |
| Year 5 | Earth & Beyond | Mexico and the Mayans | Walls and Barricades | Wild Waters | Invaders | Rainforests |
| Year 6 | Ancient Greeks | Rule Britannia | Natural Disasters | World War Two | World War Two (continued) | Darwin’s Discovery |
| Broader Curriculum Themes | Ancient History | People & Inventions | Significant Individuals and Events | Landmarks and Landscapes | British History | Locations Around the World |
Accessing Curriculum Information
You can find curriculum documents and the class plan for each year group on the class pages of our website. These documents detail the content covered in every subject, helping parents stay informed about their child’s learning journey. You can also explore the subject pages, where you will find further details about what is taught in each subject, along with key learning objectives and progression maps.
For more details, please see our Curriculum Evening materials and refer to individual classes’ Knowledge Organisers for information about our topics. If you require any further information regarding the curriculum, please speak to your child’s class teacher.