Curriculum Intent

“And all your children [banayikh] shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13) Do not read your children [banayikh], but your builders [bonayikh]. (Talmud Brachot 64a)

When it comes to learning, children are our focus because each generation’s learners become the builders (bonayikh) in the next generation. Education is a precious legacy, which is a fundamental value in society and the key to the future. It prepares children to become responsible citizens who endeavour to build a global society where freedom and justice, love and compassion, respect for truth, the rule of law, toleration of diversity, and commitment to democracy prevail.

Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?"

Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14

For our children to make a positive contribution to their local community, as well as the global community, it is important that they have a strong sense of their unique self. It is only by nurturing our own seeds of inspiration that we can succeed in becoming an inspiration to others.

As an Orthodox Jewish school, we serve our community by providing an education of the highest quality within a moral framework that reflects and promotes religious beliefs and practices. This is centred around our mission statement:

Kindness Respect Responsibility (Chesed Kavod Achrayut)

At King David Primary we recognise the importance of teaching a Jewish curriculum that is both broad and balanced. Following the challenges and adaptations made during the Covid closures we have reflected on our successes and created a new recovery curriculum and new whole Jewish Studies curriculum to meet the needs of our pupils. As a result, we have made progress in redesigning our curriculum to enhance a more thematic approach, ensuring in addition to our core Jewish Curriculum, we have made meaningful links with the broader curriculum. The programmes of study are the basis of pupils’ learning and have been adapted to fit the needs of all pupils in the school. Our ambition is that all pupils follow the full range of subjects with an enhancement and embedding of skills through their Jewish studies. We ensure that our pupils have the opportunity to learn additional skills and develop their knowledge and understanding fully through the curriculum, Jewish curriculum,  well-being curriculum and through other enrichment including extra-curricular activities. We aim to deliver an inclusive curriculum which celebrates citizenship and diversity in working together to prepare our children for lives in modern Britain. In preparation for this, pupils are encouraged to think independently and are taught to question and query. We have a shared responsibility in our ambition for pupils to be ‘Mensch’ (a person of integrity and honour who gives of themselves willingly). As a Jewish school we are deeply committed to developing pupils’ faith with Jewish studies embedding and enhancing our curriculum offer. We aim to develop within the pupils a positive commitment and passion for Judaism and British values as well as preparing them for the next stage of their education and for future life in an ever changing world.

Curriculum Implementation

The curriculum in place for Jewish Studies begins in Reception and is an integral part of the children’s education journey to Year 6. Learning is sequenced to enable progression through age-related expectations for each year group. The Jewish curriculum supports the implementation of the RE and SRE programmes of study.  

We have used the Jewish curriculum to create meaningful links to the curriculum while also using opportunities to celebrate Jewish festivals through whole school events and activities. The approach to teaching and learning supports the curriculum by ensuring that progression is met by children as they revisit skills throughout their school life. 

The key features of learning are that pupils are:

• To develop their understanding of Judaism and to understand how to live a Jewish life.
• For our children to be kind, respectful and take responsibility for their actions and to carry these skills forward into their future.
• To enable all of our children to make good progress across all areas of the curriculum, from whatever the individual’s starting point may have been.  We define progress as knowing more and remembering more.  It is the widening and deepening of knowledge, skills, understanding and behaviours.

Assessment, both formative and summative, is used to inform teaching and learning and to ensure that all pupils are building on their prior learning and make progress appropriate to their ability. Regular assessments are undertaken at the end of each unit and assess pupils’ progress. They are used to adjust the curriculum and teaching and learning.  Informal assessments such as quizzes and learning tasks are also carried out to inform next steps and ensure coverage as children move through school.

Curriculum Impact

All pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, will acquire the knowledge and cultural capital they need for the understanding of Judaism and to grow. Our outcomes will show they have made progress as they will know more and remember more due to learning what we have intended from our inspiring Jewish Curriculum.

Children will be able to talk about their love of their faith and how this impacts their everyday life.

This means that all our children, including disadvantaged and those with SEND, will be well prepared for secondary school and have the firm foundations to be model citizens in our society.