• Skills Ladders and Targets for Children
  
• Research of Impact
  
• Waving Not Drowning Publication 2006. A collection of articles about ways of Developing the Thematic Curriculum in the Primary School
  
• Art & History Links
  
• Research funded by the T.D.A. The Development of the Thematic Curriculum in 2 Primary Schools
  
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• Archived Resource:
  Alice Project Website

Developing the Thematic Approach

Thematic Curriculum

Several schools in the WLC are developing the curriculum around themes. There are several reasons for this -

• Pupils are more engaged in their work and respond well to a variety of teaching methods and to using study workbooks
• Pupils' scores in literacy and numeracy are higher
• Teachers are taking back control of the curriculum and enjoy the freedom to teach the national Curriculum Programmes of Study incorporating content suitable for their pupils

The process of developing the thematic curriculum had several stages -

• Subject leaders worked together with an AST to look at the National Curriculum programmes of Study for each subject. A progression of skills was drawn up for years 1 - 6
• Class teachers looked at the progression lists for each study for their year group and created themes. At this point teachers decided if they wanted to keep particular QCA units and use these as a starting point. Long and medium term plans ensured that the National Curriculum skills and content was being covered
• Teachers piloted the process and reported back after the first term. Plans were modified as appropriate. Plans for assessment and recording were put in place.

WLC schools are fortunate in having a range of expertise in this area at their disposal -

• Haydn Moss, Deputy head at Moorlands Primary School has developed the thematic approach in his school and supports others in Sandwell
• Kevin Jeffery, Director of the WLC has developed this work in schools in Gloucester.