Curriculum Blog Posts Archives - Dimensions Curriculum

SATs Week: The Pressure Teachers Don’t Always Talk About

Around this time every year, primary schools across England begin to change. Corridors become quieter, displays are checked and covered, and timetables are adjusted. As a former…

CURRICULUM DEPTH

Let’s take the analogy that a good curriculum is like a swimming pool; we want our pupils to be confident enough to swim both widths and lengths…

The Day My Head Nearly Burst !

There are days in teaching when you feel like an actual professional: calm, purposeful, armed with a whiteboard pen and a plan. Then…

Three primary-aged children in school uniform sit at a science classroom table with beakers, test tubes and a microscope, writing in their notebooks while a teacher supports them.

Supporting Better Outcomes Through Thoughtful Curriculum Planning

I’ve often felt that curriculum planning can feel like trying to build a plane while flying it. You’re juggling coverage, behaviour, SEND needs, assessment, enrichment, and the…

How Curriculum Design Can Support Whole-School Improvement

Since the 2019 framework, Ofsted has put curriculum right at the centre of inspection. In my experience, the schools that have genuinely…

Two young children in school uniform kneel on a classroom carpet, focused on an activity on the floor, with a blurred classroom in the background.

Practical Ways to Promote Deeper Thinking in Primary Education

After years as a teacher, headteacher (both in the Uk and internationally), and now as an education consultant, I’ve spent a lot of time…

A smiling young child with curly hair sits and points at a globe, with a lightbulb and doodle-style learning icons beside them.

How to Make Learning More Memorable in a Primary Classroom

Children remember learning best when it feels meaningful, active and connected. In a busy primary classroom, memorable learning is not about adding extra “wow” moments, it is about helping pupils…

Primary school pupils taking part in a hands-on classroom learning activity

How to build a Primary Curriculum that truly connects learning

Across the Uk, schools are telling us the same thing: The issue isn’t curriculum coverage, it’s whether learning actually sticks. Despite strong teaching, many schools are still…

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Reflecting on Growth this Spring

September can feel full of anticipation, and the run-up to Christmas often passes in a blur, but spring gives us a chance…

A teacher helps a pupil at their desk in a primary classroom.

The Art of Listening

The Art of Listening: Why Hearing Isn’t Just with Ears Before we talk about listening, it helps to clear up a common confusion: hearing and…

Standing Tall: Building Self-Esteem and Resilience

When was the last time you felt life was putting you through a spin cycle? We all have times when we need…

Why Reading is a Superpower !

Every year on World Book Day, people across the UK (and around the globe) celebrate the magic, adventure and power of reading. But reading isn’t …

Navigating the Digital Maze: Why Online Safety Matters

For primary schools, technology creates a brilliant opportunity for learning, creativity, and connection. It also means real responsibility: helping children build safe,…

What Makes a Good Friend?

Supporting positive mental health in primary school (without keeping score). Friendship plays a big part in children’s wellbeing. When pupils feel they…

Beyond Words: Communication, Oracy and Curriculum Quality in Primary Schools

Why talk matters in a forward-thinking curriculum (and why Ofsted cares) When we think about communication in primary schools, reading and writing often take centre…

How “Learning Means the World” Supports Schools (in Light of the Latest Curriculum Review!)

This week’s release of the new national curriculum review has prompted school leaders across the UK to reflect on the direction of…

New Primary Curriculum: Reflections or Transparency?

I read a post the other day by one of my favourite education bloggers, David Didau. The gist of it explained a…

Why Music Matters

Why music is important in primary school classrooms Do you remember that song you used to mime singing into a hairbrush/mic (and…

An updated RHSE curriculum? Great! What do I need to do?

In our previous PSHE blog, we outlined some of the changes the DfE have put forward for the new 2026 PSHE curriculum,…

The New PSHE Curriculum

The Department for Education (DfE) has released its updated statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) in England in July…

Music teaching is hard… isn’t it?

When was the last time you taught music? Does the thought of leading a music lesson fill you with fear or flood…

Navigating Government Curriculum Changes: Why Dimensions Curriculum Schools Will Feel a Ripple, Not a Tsunami

Curriculum change is a constant in education. When the government announces new statutory requirements or updates to the national curriculum, schools everywhere…

Sustainability in Education

Sustainability in Schools: Empowering the Next Generation through Curriculum As global awareness of environmental issues continues to rise, sustainability has become a…

Creating a Learning Community

Inclusion in Primary Schools: Building an Inclusive Classroom and Curriculum Creating a truly inclusive classroom is more than just a buzzword, it’s…

Curriculum Update Guaranteed!

Curriculum Update: Our Commitment to You in Changing Times We know these are challenging times for schools. Budgets are stretched. Change is…

Teachers Work Too Hard

Balancing the Load: Protecting Purpose in Primary Teaching Ask any primary teacher what’s most fulfilling about the job, and the answer will…

Curriculum Development and AI – Where’s the Harm?

AI and the Primary Curriculum: A Cautionary Opportunity In recent times, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to get a foothold in UK…

How Strict Teaching Prescriptions Can Distract Teachers from What Matters Most

Let Teachers Teach: Why Less Prescription Matters This is a really relevant issue for teachers, especially in a climate where curriculum prescription…

A NEW Primary Curriculum is Coming… Soon…

Primary Curriculum Reform: A Moment for Renewal, Not Retreat In the ever-evolving landscape of education, change is both inevitable and necessary. Like…

The Primary Curriculum – Opportunity and challenge for all?

SEND in Primary School: Supporting Every Learner How do we make sure our Curriculum for SEN really delivers? When we talk about…

New Primary Curriculum – The Interim Report says What?

Primary Curriculum Reform: Why We Need More Than Good Intentions The interim report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review (2024) paints a…

Twinkl vs. A Thematic Whole-School Primary Curriculum: Go Compare!

Education providers and schools have an abundance of resources available to shape and provide effective learning experiences. Two widely recognised options include…

Big Ideas for Young Critical Thinkers: Why Arguments and Reasoning Matter in Primary Schools

“Children are naturally curious” is a phrase that is often heard when discussing or debating learning. Classrooms become places buzzing with curiosity –…

Preparing Students for a Global Future: Perspectives and Interpretations in UK Primary Schools

You don’t need telling the world is changing, and so must our approach to education. In UK primary schools, the curriculum has…

Nurturing Creativity within a Knowledge-Rich Primary Curriculum

The Perfect Harmony: Nurturing Creativity within a Knowledge-Rich Primary Curriculum In the realm of education, there has often been a perceived tension…

Byte-Sized Learners: Navigating the AI Frontier in Primary Education

Ah, the brave new world of education! With each passing day, technology is becoming as much a part of the classroom as…

Our Thoughts on the Model Music Curriculum

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start #julieandrewstribute. So, what’s the deal with the Model Music Curriculum…

Image to demonstrate ofsted thematic curriculum

“Ofsted don’t like the thematic curriculum approach.” Fact or Fiction?

Since the inception of the latest inspection framework, have you come across the belief that Ofsted don’t like the thematic curriculum approach?…

What’s wrong with too much teaching by PowerPoint?

Have you ever heard of someone called Edward Tufte? Probably not. Well, he wrote a book called ‘Beautiful Evidence’, which has an…

A Connected Curriculum

When it comes to planning a curriculum there are so many suggested approaches as to how to tailor, personalise, set clear targets,…

Saville Row or Hand-Me Down?

It is very easy to keep wearing the same old suit, day in and day out because it still fits (sort of!)…

The Importance of Significance within Curriculum Design

In a previous blogpost, we looked at powerful knowledge and concluded that this is knowledge with significance. So, now we want to…

Curriculum Depth Part 2

In at the Deep End! Part 2 Welcome back! Once again, we are donning our goggles and taking a dive down into…

Be a Champion for Change!

Change Leaders and Change Managers In our first instalment, the terms ‘lead’ and ‘manage’ were mentioned as key styles, both in their…

A Head’s Role in Leading and Managing Change Within School

Leading and Managing Change within School – Because we want to vs. Because we have to There are usually two routes through…

Curriculum Depth Part 1

Curriculum Depth – In at the Deep End! Part 1 Let’s take the analogy that the curriculum is like a swimming pool;…

How to Become an Inspirational Headteacher

How to Become an Inspirational Headteacher in the Current Climate Staff wellbeing and time management are often on the lips of headteachers…

How Can You Personalise Your School Curriculum?

How Can You Personalise Your School Curriculum when it is primarily driven by National Curriculum coverage? Have you considered that even a…

Teaching about the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Teaching Children About Conflict

Talking to Pupils About the Russia-Ukraine Crisis The Russia-Ukraine crisis has recently sparked new conversations around how we teach our children about…

What is a global curriculum?

Have you ever been asked to make your curriculum more global? For many years, as the Primary Headteacher of a successful British…

Components and Composites

Can you explain the difference between them? If not, let us help you with this simple guide to components and composites! Pupils…

What is Powerful Knowledge?

We are told that pupils need powerful knowledge, but what does ‘powerful knowledge’ mean and what does it look like? OK, let’s…

The Model Music Curriculum – Getting Up to Speed / Tempo!

What is the Model Music Curriculum? Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start #julieandrewstribute. So, what’s the…

Why children need good communication skills (and how to help develop them)

Why are good communication skills so important for children? Find out here, and discover top tips for developing strong communicators.

What is a Dimensions Discovery Session?

Your bespoke Discovery Session helps you understand how our curriculum will work for you before you join our growing community - find…

adapting a curriculum to specialist setting

Adapting your curriculum to a specialist setting

Did you catch our latest free webinar on how to adapt your curriculum to a specialist setting? Read our blog for a…

Bespoke curriculum design: under the microscope

What do we mean by bespoke curriculum design? Find out how we deliver a truly personalised curriculum to every school.

Methods of differentiation in the classroom

In recent decades, differentiation has come to be considered a key skill for teachers. But what does it really mean?

Does ‘Learning Means the World’ plan for the development of substantive and disciplinary knowledge?

How does Dimensions' 'Learning Means the World' curriculum plan for the development of substantive and disciplinary knowledge?

An easy guide to substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge

Read our latest blog for clarity about what substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge mean, and the difference between the two.

Early Years Foundation Stage 2021 – stay ahead with Dimensions

From September 2021, schools must follow the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum laid out by the Department for Education. Fortunately, we’ve…

My top five tips on leading a team

Our founder and director, Elaine Sutton, offers her expert tips on how to lead a team.

How to rebuild pupils’ social skills post-lockdown

How will you rebuild pupils' social skills post-lockdown? We identify the key skills they may be lacking and explore how you could…

What is a primary curriculum?

What is a primary curriculum? What does it involve, and is it the same as the National Curriculum?

How to prepare parents for home learning

How do you prepare parents for home learning? Follow our tips from curriculum experts to ensure remote learning runs smoothly for your…

5 tips for adapting your curriculum for home learning

Home learning: how can you adapt your curriculum to set teachers and pupils up for success? Discover our five expert tips.

Ofsted subject deep dive: what you need to know

What is an Ofsted deep dive and how can you prepare for it? Find out what it means and how it's assessed,…

How to embrace Black History Month all year round

How will you mark Black History Month? Discover how - and why - our curriculum embraces Black history all year round.

Raccoons in a bin: does the patchwork approach deliver a cohesive curriculum?

Are you a raccoon in a bin, sniffing around the web for resources? Find out why a cohesive curriculum trumps the patchwork…

What the World Needs Now…

What the World Needs Now…. A Future-Proof Global Curriculum Written in the light of recent events surrounding George Floyd’s death, I read…

A Recovery Strategy: COVID-19 Back to School

A Recovery Strategy: COVID-19 Back to School 3D PSHE “Let’s Begin Again!” There’s a lot of talk about a “recovery curriculum” at…

What makes ‘Learning Means the World’ different?

Find out why so many schools are choosing our new highly relevant global curriculum… The curriculum design blueprint for our ‘Learning Means…

Global Crisis, Local Impact COVID -19

Global Crisis, Local Impact (COVID -19) The Need for a Global Curriculum in Schools Four years ago we embarked on a mission…

Bespoke Curriculum Design

Under the Microscope You might be wondering how we can supply schools with seemingly ‘off the shelf’ curriculum models and yet still…

What’s in a Name?

How two vital Dimensions make all the difference Have you ever wondered how we got our name and what it means? Now,…

What is Knowledge Building?

Sad, isn’t it? It’s taken a new Ofsted framework for a fair number of schools to even consider putting subjects like music…

Draft Guidance Published for Compulsory RSE and Health Education

Did you know that the government published draft guidance for consultation on compulsory RSE and Health Education in July, with a view…

Learning by Doing: Hands-on Learning

Children are born eager to learn by doing and the more opportunities they have to learn and master things hands-on, the better.…

Do schools need a knowledge-rich curriculum?

“SCHOOLS NEED A KNOWLEDGE-RICH CURRICULUM!” PROCLAIMS DAMIAN HINDS. WHAT DOES HE KNOW?!? There is much talk currently about the need for a…

Inclusive Language Guidelines for Disability

In this politically correct world we live in, it is hard to keep up-to-date with what we can and can’t say and…

Five Top Tips for Developing Confident Communicators

We all use speaking and listening in our daily lives to share ideas, solve problems, make decisions, socialise and interact in a…

Exciting Resource Boxes!

Bring the Dimensions Curriculum to life with these amazing, themed resource boxes. We have put together resource boxes for key themes. Treat your class to…