Curriculum

We actively encourage physical activity as an important part of children’s growth, development and wellbeing. Our PE curriculum is designed to give every child the skills, confidence and motivation to enjoy being active both in and out of school.

In EYFS and KS1, we follow the Horizon Programme, which focuses on developing balance, movement and fundamental skills such as throwing, catching, dribbling and striking. In KS2, pupils follow a games-based curriculum covering major sports such as football, netball, basketball, athletics and rugby, alongside a comprehensive gymnastics programme.

Swimming is an important part of our PE curriculum. Children begin swimming lessons during their KS2 journey, and we provide top-up swimming sessions to ensure the maximum number of pupils are able to confidently swim 25m before leaving Year 6.

To keep children safe, all pupils must change for PE lessons. Earrings or studs must be removed for all PE activities — we ask that these are left at home on PE days.

We also offer a wide range of sports clubs before and after school, allowing children to develop their sporting interests and extend their skills.

As part of the David Ross Education Trust (DRET), our pupils take part in the Winter and Summer Cup competitions, with opportunities for trials, training sessions and representing their school at a high level. Throughout the year, pupils also benefit from additional sporting experiences such as masterclasses and enrichment events.

If you would like further information about the curriculum followed at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy please contact the office to make an appointment to see your child’s class teacher.

Subject Leadership at Thomas Hinderwell

All the areas of the curriculum are looked after by different subject leaders within the school. Each subject has an individual action plan and impact plan to drive improvements. To ensure a balanced and reflective team, our school is split into four key areas:

• Reading
• Writing
• Maths
• Curriculum 

Our Subjects

Religious Education

Subject Lead - Miss Garcia

RE at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy develops children’s knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes in Religious Education. These are necessary for pupils' self-fulfilment and development as active and responsible citizens. Each of the major world religions are covered within the units for the Agreed Syllabus. 

First-hand experiences, the use of artefacts, visits to local places of worship and visits from local religious leaders are all planned to enhance enjoyment and understanding in RE. We also enable pupils to develop their own sense of identity and knowledge, understanding and sensitivity to the needs and contributions of all citizens and to understand that that we live in a diverse society

• Thomas Hinderwell Long term Plan download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineThomas Hinderwell Long term Plan
• THPA Overview of Programme of units for KS1 and KS2 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHPA Overview of Programme of units for KS1 and KS2
• THPA RE Curriculum Intent download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHPA RE Curriculum Intent

Reading

 
Subject Leader - Mrs Milner (Miss Chard MAT leave)

Here at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy we are committed to ensuring that all children develop the ability to communicate fluently and effectively.

Thomas Hinderwell Primary delivers Read Write Inc from Nursery to Year 2. Reading is taught daily through Talk for Reading from Reception and class story sessions for all pupils.

A love of reading is developed through the experience of high-quality texts from a variety of authors during the Talk for Writing sessions and through use of our reading for pleasure books and our class stories. All children, from our early readers to those who are fluent, have a rich and varied reading diet, promoting both reading pleasure and an experience and appreciation for a range of texts.

By the end of Key Stage 2 we expect children to be competent and confident readers who can read a wide range of texts and show an understanding through proficient comprehension skills.

thpa reading offer 25 26.pdf

DRET Reads

At Thomas Hinderwell, we encourage our children to read widely and enjoy a variety of different texts. These texts are carefully chosen based on classics, picture books, award winning texts, Talk4Writing and Talk4Reading Spine books as well as non-fiction and poetry. Each year group has a wide selection of texts to read for their year group.

Home Reading

At Thomas Hinderwell, we want our children to read regularly as well as widely.

All children have a reading book. In EYFS and KS1, the reading books are phonetically decodable and link to the Read Write Inc. scheme. With such high expectations, we recommend pupils read at least three times a week at home and that home reading is logged by parents and guardians using our online QR code so that progress can be monitored and there is a positive home-school link. 

We ensure that all children are listened to reading weekly. If children are unable to log reads at home, they will be invited into the reading shed to read with one of our Year 4 Reading Ambassadors.   

Race to Reading  

Our fortnightly reading assemblies share total reads with children and these are recorded on our Race to Reading wall. Classes choose reading based awards for reaching reading milestones. We aim our reading rewards at promoting a reading culture across the school. These awards are chosen by the children in their classes. 

Writing

Subject Leader - Mrs Milner (Miss Chard MAT Leave)

We believe that knowledge, understanding and the successful application of the English language is a fundamental life skill; it develops children’s ability to communicate their experiences, desires and knowledge effectively and successfully. Throughout our school, we aim to nurture and develop independent writers through purposeful, engaging and developmental lessons which link to our rich and stimulating creative curriculum work.

During our Talk for Writing lessons, we support our children to express themselves creatively and imaginatively, as they become enthusiastic and critical readers of stories, poetry and drama; as well as non-fiction and media texts.This allows pupils to learn a quality story or text that they can then imitate in their own writing before innovating in a different context. We look at many different forms of writing across the school such as stories with imaginative settings, instructions, recounts, humorous poems and so on. We apply these writing genres across the curriculum to ensure the children gain lifelong skills and are prepared for writing in the wider world.

Our children also gain an understanding of how language works by looking at its patterns, structures and origins and use their knowledge, skills and understanding across a range of different situations.

The daily talk for writing lessons are linked to the current national curriculum objectives. The units of work begin with a cold write which is an independent piece of writing to assess previous understanding and knowledge. The children then repeat this task at the end of the unit as a hot write. This showcases the progress and learning that have taken place across the unit. Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar is taught as part of the T4W lessons as well as in cross- curricular writing opportunities.

Thomas Hinderwell follow the Read Write Inc spelling programme to ensure that our children become competent and confident spellers building on prior knowledge of spelling rules. We also encourage and teach handwriting daily and have a Daily Handwriting Star and a fortnightly handwriting certificate award in our Celebration Assembly. At Thomas Hinderwell our children are encouraged every year to achieve their Pen Licence and are so proud when they receive their pen.

• Writing Intent docx

Oracy

Subject Leader - Mrs Milner (Miss Chard MAT Leave)

At Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy we expect all of our children to progress to secondary school as fluent and effective communicators and we begin this process from when the children enter our nursery setting. We include speaking and listening skills in all of our lessons. We do this through class discussions, drama activities, paired talk, oral rehearsal, echo reading, poetry recital and in many other forms.

• Oracy Curriculum Intent Statement

Maths

Subject Leader - Miss Hawden

The teaching of maths is planned carefully to meet the needs of every child at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy. Effective Maths is used to support children to progress quickly and develop a mastery understanding of mathematical processes.

Effective Maths is a mastery approach to the teaching of mathematics. It is a comprehensive framework for ensuring high quality maths teaching. Lessons are designed carefully to incorporate the below elements:

• mastery
• procedural and conceptual understanding
• variation
• mathematical patterns, relationships and connections

Planning is based on the new national curriculum standards and used to facilitate high quality teaching and learning. Every child at Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy has a Times Tables Rockstars Log ins. 

Furthermore, where possible, we believe that maths should be taught in context. We particularly value the importance of children understanding the reason why their mathematical learning will be relevant to them in the real world and demonstrate a clear purpose for learning mathematical skills.

• Maths Intent docx

Science

Subject Leader - Miss Hill

Our Science Curriculum is sequenced coherently so useful knowledge and skills builds through the three distinct disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. As a result of the accumulation of essential knowledge and skills pupils’ science capital and scientific understanding will be substantial and will provide a secure foundation that will enable them to succeed in the next stage of their education.

At Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy, we aim to stimulate children's curiosity by engaging our pupils in science activities that are designed to encourage pupils to plan, observe, predict, investigate and analyse. 

• Science Intent docx

Geography

Subject Leader - Mr Charlesworth
Curriculum Lead - Miss Hawden

Our Geography Curriculum is sequenced coherently so useful knowledge builds through two distinct strands; Locational Knowledge and Human and Physical Geography.  As a result of the accumulation of essential knowledge pupils are provided with the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time, enabling them to become true global citizens. 

• Geography Intent docx

History

Subject Leader - Mr Charlesworth

Curriculum Lead - Miss Hawden

Our History Curriculum is sequenced coherently so useful knowledge builds through six unifying themes; humans and the environment, cultural develops and interactions, governance, economic systems, system interaction and organisation and technology and innovation. As a result of the accumulation of essential knowledge pupils’ cultural capital and historical disciplines will be substantial and will provide a secure foundation that will enable them to succeed in the next stage of their education.

• History Intent docx

PSHE

Curriculum Leaders - Miss Hawden

We are proud to be a part of the myHappymind Family! As a whole school programme grounded in science and dedicated to building positive mental wellbeing, myHappymind helps children understand how their brains work and creates a culture that helps to build children's resilience, confidence, and self-esteem. myHappymind also teaches the children how to self-regulate and manage their emotions in stressful times, allowing them to be their very best selves!

Learn more here: https://myhappymind.org/

myHappymind module descriptions:

• Meet your Brain: Understanding how your brain works and how to ensure we look after it so that we can manage our emotions and be at our best. Growth mindset is a key part of this too.
• Celebrate:  Understanding your unique Character Strengths and learning to celebrate them. This is a fantastic module for building self-esteem.
• Appreciate:  Understanding why gratitude matters and how you can develop gratitude as a habit. Gratitude is key to well-being and resilience and we're all about making it a lifelong strategy!
• Relate:  Understanding why positive relationships matter and how to build them. We're focussed on the building blocks of good relationships and friendships.
• Engage: Understanding how to set meaningful goals that matter and how to stay resilient in times of challenge. This module is all about building self-esteem and resilience too.

myHappymind is a mental health and well-being programme to support children in learning habits to support their own mental health. It does also cover all the mandatory objectives from the DfE Relationships Education Curriculum and also around 70% of the PSHE objectives.

• PSHE Progression Map 2024 2025
• THPA PSHE INTENT document

Art & DT

Subject Lead - Miss Metcalfe

Curriculum Lead - Miss Hawden

Our Art & Design curriculum stimulates creativity and imagination through visual, tactile and sensory experiences.

Our aim is for children to enjoy Art & Design through developing increased confidence in their ability to communicate what they feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form and pattern using different materials, tools and techniques.

Art is frequently taught through cross curricular lessons and we employ a wide range of mediums ranging from paint and pencil to digital and photography.

• 4 Art at Thomas Hinderwell download_for_offline
  download_for_offline4 Art at Thomas Hinderwell
• 4 DT at Thomas Hinderwell download_for_offline
  download_for_offline4 DT at Thomas Hinderwell
• THPA Art Curriculum Statement and overview download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHPA Art Curriculum Statement and overview

Language

Subject Lead - Mrs Milner

The children of Thomas Hinderwell study French from EYFS to Year 6, with a more formal curriculum from Year 2 upwards. We promote the view that we are linguists who:

• communicate
• explore the pattern and sound of language
• compare languages
• develop understanding of the world

We study French because it:

• Promotes secondary school readiness
• Supports understanding of English
• Promotes learning about French speaking places and people
• Enhances cognitive skills
• Enables global citizenship and community
• Increases career prospects

We promote a love of learning languages through a broad curriculum offer enriched with texts, music, poetry and culture.

• THPA Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Intent Statement download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHPA Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Intent Statement

Computing

Subject Leader - Mr Kelly
Curriculum Lead - Miss Hawden

Computing is split into three fundamental elements: Computer Science, Digital Literacy and Information Technology.

Computer Science is the core of the computing curriculum, in which children learn how the digital systems work and how to put this knowledge into action through programming. The children use information technology to create programs, systems and a range of content.

Digital Literacy ensure the children can develop their ideas with the use of information and communication technology to ensure they are active participants in a digital world and are at a level suitable for the future workplace.

We also teach the children about safety online: how to spot any dangers; how they can be avoided easily and what to do if they encounter any misuse of the internet.

• Computing Intent docx

 Physical Education

Subject Leader - Mr Kelly
Curriculum Lead - Miss Hawden

We actively encourage physical activity to aid the growth and development of children. Our P.E. curriculum reflects this.

We are following the Horizon Programme in EYFS and KS1 which develops balance, movement and basic skills such as throwing and catching, dribbling and striking. KS2 focus on a Games based curriculum covering the main sports such as football, netball, basketball, athletics and rugby, alongside a comprehensive gymnastics programme.

In Year 2 and Year 4 the children receive swimming instruction to develop the number of Year 6 children who can swim 25m.

All children must change for P.E.  Earrings or studs must be removed for all P.E. lessons. If your child has pierced ears it is best if the studs are left at home on P.E. days.

We run various sports club which run before and after school so your child can pursue their sporting interests and develop their skills.

DRET hold Winter and Summer cup competitions so the children have the opportunity to be part of trials, training sessions and then to represent their school at a high level.  Other sporting opportunities such as masterclasses also arise throughout the year as part of the DRET enrichment programmes

• Thomas Hinderwell 2024-25 UPDATED March 2025 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineThomas Hinderwell 2024-25 UPDATED March 2025
• Thomas Hinderwell 2025-26 PE LTP download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineThomas Hinderwell 2025-26 PE LTP
• Thomas Hinderwell PE Intent Doucment 2025-26 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineThomas Hinderwell PE Intent Doucment 2025-26

Music

Subject Lead - Mrs Bentley

At Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy we believe every child should access the opportunity to play a musical instrument and develop their singing voices. Pupils are provided with a number of platforms to help build their confidence and grow their musical talents. As well as welcoming external musicians to the academy; including an American Choir, pupils have the chance to perform at impressive venues, such as Hull Minster and Grimsby Auditorium. 

Our pupils will understand and explore how music is created, produced and communicated, including through the interrelated dimensions: pitch, duration, dynamics, tempo, timbre, texture, structure and appropriate musical notations.

The DRET Music curriculum aims to ensure that all children:

• Sing with a wide range and with a variety of expression.
• Sing confidently in parts.
• Read staff notation.
• Experience playing an orchestral instrument in class ensemble (and to be given the opportunity to continue learning the instrument in smaller groups/one-to-one).
• Hear a youth or professional orchestra live.
• Hear a youth, church or professional choir live

In addition, there are opportunities for those children showing musical aptitude to be able to develop their musicianship through singing in choirs, playing in instrumental ensembles and joining local (and national) musical groups. The school’s Music Lead, guided by a DRET Primary Music Specialist, will direct these children to such ensembles.

• THA Music Curriculum Overview download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHA Music Curriculum Overview
• THA Music Intent 2023-24 download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineTHA Music Intent 2023-24

British Values

The Trust is very supportive of the ethos of promoting British Values, and preparing our pupils for success in a modern Britain.

A heavy reliance is placed upon broadening horizons for each and every child and this includes developing the core skills of tolerance, respect, teamwork, resilience and building self esteem. These are all values and qualities that we feel are relevant in order to play a full and meaningful role in society, and are promoted via our extensive house system that lends itself to cultural and sporting competition, democratic principles, social mixing, the development of greater pastoral care and enhanced PSHE.

At Thomas Hinderwell Primary Academy we uphold and teach pupils about the British Values which are defined as:

• democracy
• rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect
• tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

These values are taught explicitly through Personal, Social, Health and Emotional (PSHE), and Religious Education (RE). We also teach the British Values through planning and delivering a broad and balanced curriculum, and the way we run our Academy (embodying respect, democracy and tolerance of all).

The school takes opportunities to actively promote British Values through our half termly focus on a different value and whole school themed assemblies and whole school systems. We also actively promote the British values through ensuring that our curriculum planning and delivery includes real opportunities for exploring these values. Actively promoting British Values also means challenging pupils, staff or parents expressing opinions contrary to fundamental British Values, including ‘extremist’ views.

These values are reinforced regularly. 

Click here to find out more about British Values at our academy