Our Ambitious and Inclusive Curriculum 

At Thames Ditton Infant School, we believe that every child deserves a curriculum that inspires, challenges, and supports them to achieve their full potential. Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that all pupils, regardless of background or ability, gain knowledge and skills year-on-year. It is broad, balanced, and tailored to meet the needs of our diverse community, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 

By working closely with parents, pupils, and staff, we continuously refine our approach to identify and close any gaps in learning—ensuring that every child receives the best possible start. 

Our Curriculum Priorities 

Language Development 

Language is the foundation of learning, and we place reading, vocabulary development, and spoken English at the heart of everything we do. Our curriculum is designed to immerse children in rich, high-quality texts and provide excellent language modelling. Through meaningful discussions and structured speaking opportunities, we develop our pupils’ confidence in oracy and listening. 

Building Long-Term Knowledge 

We believe that deep learning happens when knowledge is carefully structured and reinforced over time. Our curriculum follows a well-sequenced, cyclical model, where key concepts are revisited and strengthened across different subjects. This helps children make meaningful connections and ensures they "know more and remember more" as they progress. 

Wellbeing and Positive Mental Health 

Happy children learn best. That’s why we prioritise emotional wellbeing as a key part of our school ethos. Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development (SMSC) underpins everything we do, helping children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. Our Learning Behaviours, linked to our PSHE curriculum, promote resilience, collaboration, and self-awareness—skills that support both learning and play. 

How We Deliver Our Curriculum 

A Well-Planned, Engaging Approach 

We follow the National Curriculum, delivering both core and foundation subjects in a structured and interconnected way. Our broad and enriching curriculum offers: 

• Quality first-hand learning experiences 
• Cross-curricular links to make learning meaningful 
• A rich and diverse range of opportunities for every child to thrive 

English and Maths: The Foundations of Learning 

English and Maths are fundamental to unlocking success across the curriculum. These subjects are prioritised daily to ensure that all children develop the essential skills they need. 

English: Reading, Oracy, Phonics, Writing & Comprehension 

At Thames Ditton Infant School, we foster a love of reading and believe in its power to shape confident, independent learners. 

• Reading for Pleasure: We surround children with high-quality books and stories, encouraging a love of literature from an early age. Teachers read to children every day, modelling expressive reading and bringing stories to life. 
• Oracy & Vocabulary Development: A rich vocabulary is key to strong comprehension and writing. We actively build children’s spoken language skills, helping them articulate their ideas clearly and confidently. 
• Phonics & Early Reading: We follow the Little Wandle Phonics Scheme, ensuring a structured approach to early reading. In Reception, children begin by learning letter sounds, progressing to more complex phonics in Year 1. By Year 2, we focus on consolidating learning and closing any gaps to ensure every child becomes a confident reader. 
• Writing for a Purpose: We empower children to see themselves as authors, providing opportunities to write across different subjects and real-world contexts. From storytelling to fact-based reports, writing is embedded in all areas of learning. As pupils progress, they are encouraged to proofread, edit, and refine their work, building resilience and independence. 

Mathematics: Fluency, Reasoning & Problem-Solving 

We teach Maths using the White Rose Maths approach, which emphasises: 

• Fluency – developing accuracy and speed in number skills 
• Reasoning – explaining mathematical thinking and patterns 
• Problem-Solving – applying maths to real-life scenarios 

We use the Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract (CPA) approach to build understanding step by step: 

• Concrete – using hands-on materials like counters and bead strings 
• Pictorial – drawing models such as number lines and part-whole diagrams 
• Abstract – progressing to written methods like column addition and subtraction 

By embedding this structured approach, children develop strong mathematical foundations and the confidence to tackle new challenges. We also place great importance on using precise mathematical vocabulary, ensuring clarity and understanding for all learners. 

Creating Lifelong Learners 

At Thames Ditton Infant School, we believe in nurturing curious, confident, and capable learners who are ready for the next stage of their education. Through our ambitious curriculum, engaging teaching, and strong focus on wellbeing, we strive to ensure that every child loves learning and thrives in our school community. 

We are proud of our approach and invite you to explore our curriculum further. If you would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.