Our Provision

Curriculum Rationale

Although written in 1644, John Milton’s Tractate on Education is, in essence, a humanist theory of education and there is a surprisingly strong resonance with our Trust’s current approaches to the curriculum and its delivery. 

Milton’s thinking emphasised:

• the importance of a breadth of subjects to be studied, including poetry (Milton elevated the art of poetry to the same level as logic and rhetoric);

• an insistence on the extensive reading of authors ancient and modern;

• a recognition that learning should begin with the concrete or sensuous and move to the abstract;

• a conscious sense that education is a discipline for active life, preparing young people for civic duty.

John Milton is also considered to be the country’s greatest neologist being responsible for introducing some 630 words into the English language, above the contributions of Ben Jonson, John Donne and Shakespeare. 

The curriculum rationale at all JMAT schools emphasises breadth and balance of subjects - arts and sciences - both at primary and secondary.   Our pedagogy across a range of subject areas also focuses on moving from the concrete or familiar through to the abstract or new.  There is a strong focus on language, reading and vocabulary and a recognition that learning is not just about gaining qualifications, but about developing young people as citizens and members of their local communities. 

All schools will follow the principles below in determining the intent, implementation and impact of their curriculum.