Our Bespoke Enquiry Based Curriculum

At Farnborough Grange, we have an enquiry-based learning curriculum. This approach is something that we feel passionate about, as it engages and excites the children with their learning, enabling them to more fully develop their understanding of the world around them. Our aim is to spark the children’s natural curiosity, deepen their understanding and develop their passions, whilst providing them with the cultural capital that they will need to succeed in later life. Cultural capital can be defined as the essential knowledge that children need to be educated citizens.

We believe that a rich and varied curriculum should be one that accounts for the interests of the children, and is used as a vehicle for their learning and skills development in all areas of the curriculum. We have a very flexible approach to teaching subject-specific knowledge and skills in that we quite often group lessons together on the children's journey of learning, taking a more creative approach than the traditional 'One history lesson per week' model. When our children are engaged in their learning and experiencing awe and wonder at whatever they are doing, why would we stop this to start another lesson just because the timetable says we should? Our children and their educational experience is at the heart of everything that we do.

We start each learning enquiry by finding out what the children want to know and what they already know and then develop it from there. At the end of each enquiry we finish with a ‘Great Work’ – this can be in the form of a performance, recital, sharing of knowledge or learning to parents, the community or another year group. During the planning process, we consider the ‘Great Work’ outcome and then map out the pathway by ensuring that this is of a richness and quality that embraces and will showcase the learning. Learning should be memorable and so we embrace opportunities to facilitate this through active learning, trips and visitors.

Our curriculum encourages the children to ask and respond to questions about the world around them, becoming more aware of ways in which they can contribute to society and make a difference. Through this, they are better prepared for the next stage in their education and for life in modern Britain.

If you would like more information about our curriculum, please click on the links below or contact us.