Discovery

Our Discovery Curriculum

Intent

At Our Lady of Lourdes, our Discovery Curriculum inspires pupils to be curious about the past, the world around them and their place within it. Through ambitious history and geography learning, pupils develop a secure understanding of chronology, place and the connections between people, environments and civilisations. As pupils progress through the school they revisit and deepen key concepts through the whole-school themes of People and Places, Change, Power and Civilisation, Our Planet, Exploration, and Legacy and Enquiry, enabling them to make meaningful connections across their learning. We want every pupil to think critically, ask thoughtful questions, analyse evidence, communicate using ambitious subject vocabulary and develop as confident historians and geographers. Our curriculum reflects the diversity of Britain and the wider world while encouraging pupils to value different cultures, perspectives and experiences. Rooted in our Gospel Values, the Discovery Curriculum nurtures respect, stewardship, compassion and responsibility, empowering pupils to become informed citizens who understand the impact of their choices on both their local community and the wider world.

Implementation

Our Discovery curriculum is delivered through carefully sequenced units that build progressively on prior knowledge and disciplinary skills. Each unit is driven by a meaningful enquiry question, encouraging pupils to investigate, reason, debate and draw conclusions using historical and geographical evidence.

Learning is supported through:

·        carefully sequenced substantive knowledge and disciplinary progression;

·        regular retrieval practice through Memory Missions to strengthen long-term memory;

·        explicit teaching of ambitious subject-specific vocabulary;

·        high-quality sources, artefacts, maps, photographs and first-hand experiences;

·        geographical fieldwork, data collection and mapwork;

·        historical source analysis, comparison and interpretation;

·        opportunities to make links across units through our curriculum themes.

Meaningful enrichment, including Culture Day, educational visits, visitors and local fieldwork, enables pupils to deepen their understanding of diverse cultures, communities and environments beyond the classroom. The quality and impact of the Discovery curriculum are continually monitored and developed through pupil voice, book looks, learning walks, teacher reflection and assessment. These approaches enable subject leaders to celebrate strengths, identify next steps and ensure that the curriculum remains ambitious, engaging and effective for all learners.

Impact

By the end of primary school, pupils leave Our Lady of Lourdes as curious, knowledgeable and reflective historians and geographers. They confidently use historical and geographical vocabulary, apply substantive knowledge, analyse evidence, ask thoughtful questions and draw informed conclusions. Pupils understand chronology, place and the interconnectedness of people, environments and civilisations, appreciating the diversity of Britain and the wider world. Guided by our Gospel Values, they recognise their responsibilities as global citizens and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and curiosity to continue exploring the world around them.