Forest of Dean Trust Principles for Curriculum and Pedagogy

Our curriculum ensures long-term, progressive learning from Early Years to A-level, building subject knowledge and skills systematically across all phases.

Key Curriculum Features:

1. Long-Term Progression:

• The curriculum is structured to ensure seamless development from Early Years through to A-Level.
• Endpoints and skills are clearly defined to build towards a long-term aim.

2. Medium-Term Planning as the Bridge Between Curriculum and Pedagogy:

• Medium-term plans are where curriculum (what is taught) and pedagogy (how it is taught) intersect.

Medium-term plans will contain:

• A clear learning objective (e.g., WALT, LO, TBAT).
• Planned skill development that contributes to long-term progression.
• A toolkit or WILF defining success criteria.
• Key vocabulary is explicitly planned.
• A structured lesson outline incorporating research-informed teaching strategies.
• Scaffolding for children who need additional support.
• Opportunities for depth of learning/extension for greater depth learners.
• Resources planned and embedded into teaching materials.

3. Alignment with Lesson Delivery:

• Medium-term plans work alongside lesson slides and PowerPoints to form a coherent curriculum.
• Lessons will be designed to deliver curriculum content in a structured, research-informed way.

Our pedagogical approach is grounded in evidence-based strategies to ensure the most effective teaching and learning practices are consistently applied across all schools within the Trust.

Key Pedagogical Features:

1. Use of Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction:

The majority of lessons are structured around Rosenshine's principles, focusing on:

• Reviewing prior learning.
• Clear explanations and modelling.
• Guided practice before independent work.

2. Research-Informed Teaching Strategies:

• All teaching practices are underpinned by educational research.
• Strategies for effective classroom practice, drawing on research-informed approaches such as, Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction, Teach Like a Champion, WalkThrus, Cognitive Load Theory, and adaptive teaching.

3. Adaptive Teaching to Meet All Learners' Needs:

• Teaching is responsive and flexible, ensuring that all students can access learning.
• Scaffolding, questioning techniques, and differentiated support will be embedded in lessons.

4. Assessment and Feedback as Part of Effective Teaching:

• Formative assessment (low-stakes quizzes, retrieval practice, questioning techniques) is embedded in all lessons.
• Summative assessment ensures long-term retention and curriculum coherence.
• Feedback loops ensure marking is purposeful and feeds into student progress.

5. Collaborative Professional Development Across the Trust:

• Networking and sharing of good practice is central to staff development across all schools.
• Subject leaders and teaching staff will regularly engage in professional dialogue and lesson studies.
• Trust-wide CPD will also be available on the latest changes in education.