The Governors have also adopted the aims expressed in the Devon Curriculum Statement:

 The Devon approach to the curriculum will help all pupils:-

• To develop lively, enquiring minds, together with a willingness to ask questions and to argue rationally;
   
• To think and to act creatively and with imagination;
   
• To gain knowledge, skills and understanding appropriate to a fast-changing world, so they may be self-reliant and adaptable;
   
•  To acquire in particular the enabling skills of literacy and numeracy;
   
•  To develop an understanding of the past which will help them to live successfully in the present, and to plan intelligently for the future;
   
•  To grow in confidence and independence, and to experience the value of co-operation;
   
•  To understand the feelings of others, to respect their values and to consider thoughtfully their own attitudes, values and beliefs;
   
•  To achieve their true potential, and to take pride in that achievement, while taking pleasure in the achievement of others.

The teaching staff place great emphasis on working as a team, constantly reviewing the curriculum they offer the children in the light of changing demands from the Department of Education and suggestions from Governors, parents and the community, whilst maintaining their professional overview as trained and experienced educators.

The curriculum we offer at West Down School is broad, balanced and varied. We know that children learn in different ways and at different rates and we try to encourage each pupil to achieve their best at whatever level that may be. We cover the National Curriculum in the four core subjects of English, Maths, Science and ICT (Information and Communications Technology), and the foundation subjects of History, Geography, Design Technology, Music, Art and Design, and Physical Education, together with Religious Education.

We firmly believe, however, that education is not concerned solely with academic achievement: we also aim to develop children's personal, social and moral understanding and physical well-being, as well as their knowledge of citizenship.

Staff work closely together to plan units of work which provide the appropriate curriculum for each age-group. Teaching approaches are adapted to the needs of the pupils and to particular subjects. Sometimes the class will be taught as a whole, as in subjects like Music and PE, for example, sometimes in groups and sometimes individually.

Because we know the children in our school so well, we are able to assess their progress very carefully, by means of National Assessment Tests (SATs) and regular teacher assessment. 
Not all children progress at the same rate, and sometimes pupils may have difficulties in some areas of the curriculum or may be particularly gifted. In these cases our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is able to prepare an individual education plan for them to follow.

We follow the government's guidelines for homework, which, as well as set work, may include activities such as practicing handwriting or mental arithmetic, or learning spellings or tables.

The following is just a brief summary of the main content of the curriculum taught at our school. We have Key Targets for each year group in all subjects, which we hope that the average child will attain by the end of the year. Parents are given a copy of these at the start of the school year.

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