Curriculum Leader: Mrs S Prest - prests@alkerdenacademy.co.uk

"Equipping every learner to thrive in life, in learning, and in a changing world - guided by the Alkerden Heart"

At Alkerden CE Academy, our Mindful Learning Curriculum is designed to equip every learner with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive in a changing world. Building upon the foundations laid in Key Stage 2, our Key Stage 3 programme is aligned with the national curriculum for PSHE and RSE, ensuring full coverage of statutory content while extending beyond this to develop mindful, articulate and compassionate young people. 

Our intent is to nurture learners who are: 

• Academically prepared with the skills to think critically, learn independently, and apply metacognition to their studies. 
• Emotionally literate through explicit teaching of self-regulation, co-regulation, grounding, and breathing strategies, enabling them to manage stress and build resilience. 
• Socially responsible by embedding the values of the Alkerden Heart - kindness, collaboration, deep thought, open-mindedness, self-awareness, global awareness, creativity and communication – across every subject and aspect of school life 
• Future-ready, developing adaptability, digital literacy, and ethical awareness to navigate technological advances and respond positively to the demands of a rapidly evolving society. 
• Inclusive and compassionate, with a curriculum that is responsive to learners’ needs, celebrates diversity, and actively supports those with SEND, ensuring every learner flourishes. 

In short, our intent is to prepare learners not only for examinations but also for life beyond school - equipping them with the attributes future employers and society will need: problem-solving, strength, empathy, collaboration, and creativity. 

Learners experience Mindful Learning 3 lessons every fortnight. Our curriculum is sequenced to build progression from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 4, ensuring continuity and depth. The Mindful Learning Journey is structured across three years, organised around key themes that revisit and deepen understanding: 

• Health and Wellbeing – physical health, puberty, lifestyle, mental health, and emotional regulation 
• Relationships – respectful and safe relationships, family and friendships, recognising abuse, consent, and sexual health. 
• Living in the Wider World – rights and responsibilities, digital citizenship, economic wellbeing, careers education, and global awareness. 

Every theme is underpinned by the Alkerden Heart learner profile, which filters into all subjects. For example, history lessons cultivate curiosity and global awareness; science develops critical thinking; English encourages empathy and communication. This ensures PSHE and RSE are not isolated but woven through the curriculum and wider school culture. 

We embed mindfulness practices within lessons, such as grounding exercises, guided breathing, and reflective pauses. Research by Kabat-Zinn (2003) and subsequent studies (e.g. Zenner et al., 2014) show that mindfulness in schools improves focus, reduces anxiety, and enhances wellbeing – benefits we want every learner to experience. 

We ensure inclusivity through: 

• Adaptive teaching strategies for SEND learners, ensuring access to core concepts at a developmentally appropriate level. 
• Small-step scaffolding and visual supports to strengthen memory and comprehension. 
• Responsive teaching, adapting content to local and societal contexts, ensuring relevance and resonance for our learners. 

The impact of our curriculum is that learners will leave Key Stage 3 as: 

• Self-aware and resilient young people, able to regulate their emotions, manage stress, and support others through co-regulation. 
• Empowered and responsible citizens, guided by the Alkerden Heart values, able to navigate complex social, ethical, and global issues. 
• Adaptable and future-ready, prepared to respond to rapid technological advances, workplace change, and the needs of a society that continues to evolve. 
• Confident learners, using metacognitive strategies to evaluate their learning, set goals, and plan for success. 
• Inclusive and empathetic individuals, who celebrate diversity and stand up for justice and equality. 

Ultimately, the curriculum ensures that learners at Alkerden are equipped not only with knowledge, but with character: ready to contribute meaningfully, lead with compassion, and thrive in the uncertain but opportunity-rich world of the future.