ELAN Curriculum Principles

We agree that our schools' curriculum must: 

• be at least as ambitious as the National Curriculum 
• be broad with carefully chosen content that is well-structured and logically sequenced 
• be designed to give all learners, the knowledge, skills and cultural capital they need to take advantage of future opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of further learning and employment - to succeed in life. 
• embrace the individuality of each school 
• ensure a common entitlement at each stage of pupil’s education

• be quality assured through mutual critique 

Humanities curriculum

Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN) has implemented the Opening Worlds curriculum for history, geography and religion in KS2 across all its schools. This knowledge-rich programme is characterised by strong vertical sequencing within subjects and by intricate horizontal and diagonal connections. Opening Worlds is having a rapid effect on all pupils’ literacy through the systematic introduction and revisiting of new vocabulary; engaging story-telling and a highly inclusive approach. Teachers’ practice has improved through training in the Opening Worlds evidence-informed, high-leverage techniques which are integral to the programme.

Pedagogy: the method and practice of teaching 

ELAN Pedagogical Principles

We have a principled approach to pedagogy that stems from our values - we do the right thing, we work together and we embrace individuality. Everything we do is informed by and evaluated against them. 

 ELAN teachers: 

• are able to picture beautiful and intricate learning   - PICTURE IT 
• have good general and secure knowledge of the whole school curriculum  - KNOW IT 
• are highly skilled at selecting from and using a wide repertoire of pedagogical approaches - DELIVER IT 
• use adaptive teaching – CHECK, THINK, TWEAK IT  
• have PASSION for all of it!