The D.E.E.P curriculum: Creating a love of learning

Case Study

Written by: Kit Perona-Wright and Gayle Fletcher

Published on: September 12, 2018

4 min read

Gloucester Road Primary School in Cheltenham has been on a considerable journey over the last 10 years. In 2008, it was in special measures. A new head and senior leadership team took up their posts four years ago, and in July 2017 the school received its very first Ofsted ‘outstanding’. The reasons for this success are many and varied, and include things such as embedding research-based practice; nurturing a growth mindset; effective use of teaching assistants; changing feedback and the use of questioning; and ensuring all children have access to music and sport – but at the heart of its success is the curriculum design put in place across the school. Evidence-based research, gleaned from studies in this country and abroad, inspired the school to introduce the D.E.E.P. curriculum (Designed for challenge, Experiential, Environmental immersion, Projects). This focuses on going ‘narrow and deep’ (Oates, 2011) by offering a narrower range explored i

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This article was published in September 2018 and reflects the terminology and understanding of research and evidence in use at the time. Some terms and conclusions may no longer align with current standards. We encourage readers to approach the content with an understanding of this context.