Knowledge-based curriculum
At Queen Elizabeth’s we deliver a knowledge based curriculum where all students have access to the ‘powerful knowledge’ (Young and Muller, 2013) that will enable them to be successful citizens. Our teachers are subject experts who deliver from the front with students making notes and engaging with teacher modelling of tasks before they are required to complete tasks independently.
Students at Queen Elizabeth’s have access to the full range of subjects at key stage 3, from maths, English and science to drama, music and art. We offer French and Spanish in our MFL department and most students continue a language at key stage 4.
All department areas provide knowledge organisers to students that aid them with their homework and revision. These knowledge organisers provide the minimum knowledge required in each topic so that students can see the bigger picture for the topic. We use regular retrieval tasks to support students to embed this knowledge in long term memory.
Our heads of faculty have spent time considering the core knowledge that should be covered across the five years that students spend with us at Queen Elizabeth’s. They consider not only the knowledge to include but make decisions about the knowledge that is not covered. Curriculum plans ensure that the sequencing of learning allows for core knowledge and concepts to be revisited with consideration given to the prior knowledge students need to be successful in each topic that is planned.
