A curriculum innovation set to reduce workload

Simon Hickton is the founder and Managing Director of Cornerstones Education. Simon has 20 plus years of teaching experience, including 10 years as a primary headteacher. He is currently working closely with schools across the UK to develop and implement curriculum solutions. Simon’s recent work involves helping schools revolutionise curriculum design, planning and assessment.

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We all know that teacher and senior leader workload reduction is top of the national agenda, but the real challenge is how to achieve this. One man who’s decided to face the issue head-on is Simon Hickton, Managing Director of Cornerstones – a primary curriculum provider used by 2000+ schools in the UK and internationally. A self-professed ‘doer’, former headteacher Simon was keen to create an innovative, easy-to-use curriculum tool that could help leaders and teachers design and implement a whole-school curriculum at the click of a few buttons.

Working in tandem with technology experts and over 60 senior leaders, Simon is launching Cornerstones Curriculum Online later this year. He says, ‘This is a revolutionary way to design and deliver your whole-school curriculum. Its functionality and curriculum content will enable senior leaders and teachers to plan, deliver and monitor their curriculum while reducing everyone’s workload.’

Cornerstones have been helping primary schools design engaging, broad, and balanced curricula for over eight years, but Ofsted's recent focus has led to even more leaders looking to refresh or redesign their curriculum. ‘Some schools have tried to do this alone, but for primary schools, in particular, the task can be a mammoth undertaking,’ says Simon.

The timely launch of Cornerstones Curriculum Online this September will enable schools to meet the ambitious requirements of Ofsted’s new education inspection framework. A mix of pre-populated and editable options will help leaders quickly define their curriculum intent and keep an eye on whole-school coverage and progression. Teachers will be able to design or choose projects, activities and lesson resources that meet the needs of their classes and make instant, purposeful assessments.

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Initial feedback during the testing stage of the online tool has been overwhelmingly positive. Christian Hilton, Executive Headteacher at Shipston-on-Stour Primary School, says, 'It’s a real game-changer for curriculum design, leadership at all levels, planning and assessment, all while improving workload and the quality of teaching and learning. The balance of strategic leadership and operational use at the chalkface is brilliant.’

Simon will demonstrate how you could save time by using Cornerstones Curriculum Online on 5th June at the Learn Sheffield event and on 14th June at the Lead LIVE roadshow in Manchester. Cornerstones will also be taking part in a Speed Date session at both events.

Cornerstones are also holding three essential information events in June for schools already using the Cornerstones Curriculum. Visit www.cornerstoneseducation.co.uk, call 03333 20 8000 or email [email protected] to book a place or find out more about Cornerstones Curriculum Online and how it can work in your school.

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