Curriculum Drivers

Creativity

Creativity is at the heart of all we do at Horniman. We believe that all children are creative and should be provided with opportunities to create across the curriculum.

We have a creative approach to all subjects and encourage children to think creatively to solve problems.

Horniman school is committed to the arts and currently working towards achieving the new Artsmark. 

The school is committed to high quality music and arts provision. Music and art are taught by specialist teachers and the school regularly showcases the children's work in music, art, dance and drama at assemblies and events throughout the year.

Diversity

We celebrate difference and diversity.

We live in a diverse city and our curriculum reflects the diversity of the local community and the global community in which we live. 

We challenge stereotypes and are committed to promoting equal opportunities. 

We promote the Fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

We are decolonising our curriculum to ensure that it represents overlooked and marginalised groups.

We recognise and celebrate all faiths, races and sexualities. All are welcome at Horniman.

Environment

Caring for the environment is an important global issue that we believe should be part of all that we do at Horniman School.

All curriculum areas consider the environment and how we can live sustainably.

The school has an Eco Committee, in which children are elected to represent their class and promote the school’s environmental priorities through various projects, assemblies and competitions.

We have been awarded many awards for our commitment to green issues, including: Clean and Green, Eco Schools Silver award and STARS:Sustainable travel Gold award.

We have successfully won bids from the Young mayor to build a chicken coop and from The Guardian newspaper's School We'd Like competition to create a bike powered radio shed. The school has electricity generated from solar panels on its roof and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Enquiry

We desire for children to be curious about the world around them and ask questions.

We have adopted an enquiry based learning approach. Teachers act as facilitators to help children answer questions and discover things for themselves.

All classes from Year 2 to Year 6 have a half term of weekly Philosophy sessions led by Peter Worsley, an internationally renowned educator in this field. Peter works with teachers to link his input to the curriculum being covered at that time and teacher use enquiry based methods across the curriculum.  

For more information about philosophy for children and Peter's Philosophy Foundation click here.