Instructional Approach

At Horsham Primary School, we are committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based teaching that supports every student to thrive. Our approach is guided by the latest educational research, ensuring our teaching practices are effective and responsive to student needs.

We provide a knowledge-rich curriculum, giving students the essential foundations they need to become confident, independent learners and critical thinkers. Learning is made meaningful through real-life experiences and practical applications, helping students connect their learning to the world around them.

To support all learners, we offer a range of targeted intervention programs that address individual needs. These include Sounds-Write, a structured phonics program that supports strong early literacy skills, and the Maths Intervention Program (MIP), which helps students build and strengthen key numeracy concepts.

At Horsham Primary School, we believe every child has the right to succeed, and we are dedicated to providing the support and challenge needed to help each learner reach their full potential.

Australian Developmental Curriculum

The Prep classrooms at Horsham Primary School run a program called the Australian Developmental Curriculum. For 3-4 days of the week, children spend the first two hours of the day involved in “investigations”. Each classroom has a reading corner, a writing centre, dramatic play area, collage table, sensory table, interest table and a construction area. The rest of the day is spent on specific Literacy and Numeracy sessions and specialist programs.

The Australian Developmental Curriculum is a child-centred approach that takes into account the interests of children and promotes creativity through open-ended tasks. Key aspects of the approach include:

• Promoting knowledge, understanding and skills through hands-on construction, creations and dramatic play.

• An increase in rich oral language for all children.

• All children, regardless of gender, are actively engaged in their learning and behavioural issues can be reduced.

• Integrating Literacy and Numeracy into all learning experiences.

• A belief that each child develops and matures at his/her own biological rate. Some will mature more quickly (and in some areas more slowly) than others.

• An emphasis on social skills through role play, problem solving, dealing with conflicts, negotiating, turn taking and speaking and listening to each other.