We teach the right things efficiently.

The curriculum for Paradigm Trust:

  • prepares pupils to lead fulfilling lives and to play an active, positive and productive role in our democratic society.
  • is based on the National Curriculum;
  • enhances pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
  • promotes fundamental British values;
  • makes provision for pupils to develop their literacy and numeracy skills so that they can access all areas of the curriculum;
  • is responsive to both the current and future needs of pupils;
  • accommodates future examination and assessment reforms;
  • ensures that pupils will be equipped with the correct qualifications to gain access to future study and employment;
  • is well organised and staffed appropriately throughout all year groups;
  • prioritises all year groups equally;
  • meets the needs of learners with special educational needs and disabilities;
  • encourages pupils to master skills and deepen knowledge and understanding;
  • prepares pupils for an ever changing, wider world of work;
  • encourages the use of environments and expertise beyond the classroom including immersive learning;
  • provides interesting and varied extra-curricular activities and educational visits to broaden pupils’ experiences;
  • has local, national and international dimensions.
  • ensures that pupils have the background knowledge to interpret new information from sources including texts and images.

Early Years

Pupils in reception are taught in accordance with the Department for Education’s early years foundation stage guidance. Topics are chosen to reflect pupil interests and needs.

Further information relating to curriculum is available on request – please contact the academy.

How are reading and phonics taught?

Phonics is the system of learning to read by using sounds. At Culloden, the Read Write Inc. programme is used to teach phonics. From nursery, pupils are introduced to the first 30 sounds and taught to blend these sounds into words. In Reception, pupils are taught to blend sounds into words and they read from books at their standard daily. This continues throughout KS1 and KS2 with daily phonic lessons and daily guided reading with comprehension to test pupils’ understanding. Each class has a book area with attractive books that appeal to all pupils within that class and are available to take home. The Shared Reading text which will be studied this year are

YearAutumn 1Autumn 2Spring 1Spring 2Summer 1Summer 2
1The Gingerbread Man
Little Red Riding Hood
The Little Red Hen
The Brave Little Tailor
The Frog Prince
Jack and Magic Harp
Sleeping Beauty
Dick Whittington
The Horse and the Bell
Peace at last - Jill Murphy
The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Judith Kerr
Robin Hood and the Silver Trophy
Room on The Broom - Julia Donaldson
The Emperor of Absurdia - Chris Ridell
Alice in Wonderland - Usborne
2Peter and the wolf
Hansel and Gretel - Usborne
Around the World in Eighty days - Jules VerneThe Thief, the Fool and the Big Fat King - Terry DearyDiary of a Killer Cat - Anne FineCliffhanger - Michael FranceThe Iron Man - Ted Hughes
3The Twits – Roald DahlThe Little Vampire Angel - Angela Sommer- BodenburgGangsta Granny - David WalliamsThe Queen’s Nose - Dick King SmithToro Toro - Michael MorpurgoCharlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
4George’s Marvellous Medicine - Roald DahlHow to Train your Dragon - Cressida CowellMatilda - Roald DahlThe Indian in the Cupboard - Lynne Reid BanksEmil and the Detective - Erich KästnerThe boy in the dress - David Walliams
5Cirque du Freak - Darren ShanHoles - Louis SacharSilverfin - Charlie HigsonThe Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson BurnettPrisoner of Azkaban - J.K RowlingGoodnight Mr Tom - Michelle Margorian
6The Enemy - Charlie Higson
Romeo and Juliet - W. Shakespeare
The Enemy – Charlie HigsonKensuke’s Kingdom - Michael MorpurgoThe Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S.LewisThe Witches - Roald DahlA Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

Reading good quality literature to pupils provides ideas for Extended Writing lessons.  Each class a book area with attractive books that appeal to all pupils within that class and are available to take home. We strongly encourage parents/carers to help foster a love of reading in their children.  That is why we provide resources to achieve this aim.

Why reading is important

  • Reading helps you achieve your goals
  • Reading will help you with different jobs and careers
  • Reading will help increase your knowledge
  • Reading will help you understand morals and how to behave
  • Reading can inspire you
  • Reading can make you laugh and make you happy
  • Reading will help you improve your vocabulary
  • Reading is fun

Download the Why Reading is Important leaflet.

Last updated February 6, 2024