Welcome to Primary

At Caroline Chisholm School, our Primary Phase curriculum is designed to inspire a love of learning, nurture ambition, and enable every child to thrive both academically and personally. Rooted in our core values of Kindness, Integrity and Curiosity, and guided by our ethos of “Globally Minded • Future Ready”, we provide a rich and purposeful education that empowers all pupils to aim high and unlock their individual potential.

We are exceptionally proud that our Early Years Foundation Stage was judged Outstanding by Ofsted (January 2025). This recognition reflects the strength of our provision, where children benefit from a nurturing, stimulating environment that gives them a flying start from their very first days at school. Our youngest learners quickly develop confidence, communication skills and a love of learning that underpins their future success.

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum. Through high-quality phonics teaching delivered by well-trained staff, pupils rapidly develop the skills they need to read with confidence and fluency. From Reception onwards, children are immersed in a language-rich environment that supports the development of vocabulary, communication and comprehension.

As an all-through school, we are proud to offer a strong sense of continuity. Families benefit from a seamless educational journey from ages 4 to 19, with Year 6 pupils transitioning seamlessly into Year 7. Our primary pupils also enjoy unique cross-phase opportunities, including access to specialist facilities and teachers. These experiences enrich learning and broaden aspirations from an early age.

Our Curriculum Approach

From the very beginning of their journey, pupils are introduced to High Performance Learning (HPL). This approach reflects our belief that every child can achieve highly, regardless of starting point. Through carefully planned and challenging learning experiences, we develop both academic excellence and the personal qualities of resilience, confidence and ambition.

Our curriculum is broad, balanced and carefully sequenced to ensure progression across all areas of learning:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): A play-based, exploratory curriculum that supports early development and curiosity.
• Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2: A full and engaging delivery of the National Curriculum, enriched through a thematic approach.

Our thematic curriculum connects subjects meaningfully, helping children to see the bigger picture and make links across their learning. Knowledge and skills are revisited regularly to strengthen understanding and support long-term memory, ensuring pupils are well prepared for future learning.

We are committed to developing the whole child. Our curriculum supports growth in all areas:

• Academic
• Personal
• Social
• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual

Enrichment and Opportunities

Learning at Caroline Chisholm School extends far beyond the classroom. We provide an exciting range of enrichment opportunities throughout the school day, alongside a wide variety of clubs before and after school. These experiences allow pupils to explore interests, develop talents and build confidence in new and meaningful ways.

A Partnership with Families

We believe that education is most successful when it is a partnership between school and home. We are committed to building strong, lasting relationships with our families, ensuring that everyone feels valued, supported and proud to be part of our community.

By choosing Caroline Chisholm School, you can be confident that your child’s success, wellbeing and future are at the heart of everything we do.