Our Curriculum Principles

We believe that we have a core duty in all of our FODT schools, to ensure that our students receive the very best education possible.

To achieve this, it is imperative that the curriculum on offer in each of our schools engages students, providing them with access to the skills and knowledge they will need to become successful, confident, fulfilled adults in the future. To truly transform the lives of our students, we must inspire them and instil their confidence to become the best version of themselves.

The Trust does not have a standardised curriculum. Our schools have their own unique identity, and we, therefore, don’t have a one-size-fits-all model. Nonetheless, we remain united in our focus on delivering the best learning experiences for all our students within an engaging and exciting framework. To achieve this, each school has taken the time to develop its own intent and approach to delivering the key learning that their students need.

The intent in each FoDT school is characterised by our desire to ensure our curriculum:

• Provides excellent teaching across a broad and balanced range of subjects to engage our learners.

• Provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident, successful learners with high aspirations.

• Builds on prior learning in logical steps.

• Enables our students to contribute positively to their community and the wider society.

• Empowers all learners to enjoy their education and make good progress in all areas of learning.

How does the FODT support all schools in this endeavour?

We offer a unique system of monitoring curriculum quality across our Trust. This is done via:

• Discussion with subject leads on curriculum, how skills progress, and how this is evident in students’ books.

• Discussion with subject teachers.

• Student Voice on subjects in focus.

• A schedule that not only monitors all subjects in the curriculum but also year groups within our Trust.

• The inclusion of opportunities for staff in the FODT to develop their subject knowledge and pedagogy through individual and group training.