Village Schools Federation Long Term Curriculum Overview 

Our Key Stage 1 long-term curriculum overview is organised through a carefully structured two-year cycle, designed to provide a broad, balanced, and engaging curriculum for all pupils, including those within mixed-age classes. Built around rich thematic learning, the curriculum enables children to make meaningful connections across subjects while developing knowledge, skills, and understanding progressively over time.  

The cyclical structure of Cycle A and Cycle B ensures full curriculum coverage without unnecessary repetition, allowing pupils to experience a diverse range of increasingly challenging learning opportunities as they move through Key Stage 1. Overall, the curriculum reflects a thoughtful and ambitious approach that combines academic achievement with creativity, personal development, and cultural understanding. It is designed to make learning immersive, connected, and relevant, fostering curiosity about themselves, their communities, and the wider world. 

The academic year is divided into three overarching thematic strands: People and Communities, Buildings and Places, and The Natural World. Each strand is explored across the autumn, spring, and summer terms through memorable and child-centred topics. In Cycle A, for example, pupils begin by exploring personal identity and community through topics such as This is Me! and Respect Our World. During the spring term, the focus shifts toward history and geography-based learning through themes like My City and Castles. In the summer term, the curriculum broadens children’s understanding of global diversity and environments with topics such as Where is Africa? and Life in Africa. 

The curriculum is deliberately cross-curricular.  

English is closely linked to each topic, allowing pupils to develop writing and reading skills through purposeful contexts. This approach ensures literacy skills are embedded authentically within the wider curriculum rather than taught in isolation. 

Mathematics follows a progressive mastery model, with both Year 1 and Year 2 objectives carefully mapped throughout the year. Key mathematical concepts such as place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, geometry, and statistics are revisited and developed incrementally. The structure demonstrates clear progression while ensuring opportunities for consolidation and application. 

Science learning is similarly sequenced to build children’s understanding of the natural and physical world. The curriculum promotes enquiry, observation, investigation, and scientific vocabulary development, helping children become increasingly curious and analytical learners. 

Foundation subjects are integrated meaningfully into each termly theme. Computing lessons develop digital literacy and programming skills alongside safe and responsible technology use. History and geography are taught through engaging contexts that encourage children to understand chronology, place, culture, and human impact on the environment. Art and Design Technology provide opportunities for creativity, evaluation, problem-solving, and technical skill development through practical projects linked to each topic. 

The curriculum also places significant emphasis on pupils’ personal development. PSHER supports emotional wellbeing, relationships, responsibility, and citizenship. RE introduces children to different beliefs, values, and traditions, helping foster respect and understanding of diversity. Music and PE contribute to children’s creative expression, confidence, teamwork, coordination, and physical health.