A NEW primary school in Hammersmith is one of the first in the country to nurture a pioneering ‘core knowledge’ curriculum.
West London Free School (WLFS) Primary has adopted American educationalist Professor ED Hirsch’s ‘cultural literacy’ approach.
It is a rigorous knowledge-based education, which has been running across the Atlantic for 20 years, where historical facts and dates and basic science concepts like conservation and magnetism are taught from age five to 11.
Education secretary Michael Gove is introducing a similar fact-based learning to his new national curriculum from September 2014.
Headteacher Natalie de Silva said: “What makes us unusual is we have a more academic curriculum for reception, year one and two.
“The core knowledge curriculum gives the children knowledge and skills to succeed in any area. It encourages social cohesion because it levels the playing field early on and bridges any gaps in the child’s learning you might find in mainstream schools. It also prepares our pupils for our very academic secondary.
“But,” she adds, “it is still lots of fun.”
Ms de Silva, who attended John Betts Primary and Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith, joined the school to give something back to the community she grew up.
WLFS Primary opened in a temporary site in Bradmore Park Road on Thursday, September 5, and is part of the West London Free School Academy Trust, founded by journalist Toby Young on the ethos of Hirsch’s inclusive education.
Uniquely for a primary, it intends to recruit specialist language and science teachers as the school grows and the school day is half an hour longer to squeeze in the colourful timetable.
Music is another core aspect of school life, with a dedicated music afternoons and singing lessons for all pupils. Older children will be able to learn recorder and violin or piano.
WLFS Primary aims to relocate to a permanent home in Cambridge Grove next September, when the secondary moves to Palingswick House, King Street.
