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Curriculum

A connected curriculum

 

High Performance Learning  

At LPS Clapham, we believe every child has the potential to achieve highly. Through our High Performance Learning (HPL) approach, we nurture the attitudes, skills and behaviours that enable pupils to thrive academically and personally, both now and in the future. Founded on the belief that high achievement is not reserved for a select few, HPL recognises that, with the right teaching, opportunities and mindset, all children can develop the characteristics required for success. This philosophy underpins our curriculum, teaching and wider school culture. 

Our teachers deliberately develop the cognitive skills that support deep learning, including critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and reflection. Alongside this, we place significant emphasis on the values, attitudes and personal qualities that help children become resilient, confident and independent learners. These attributes are embedded throughout the school day, from classroom learning and enrichment activities to leadership opportunities and community engagement. 

Students are encouraged to think ambitiously, embrace challenge and view mistakes as valuable learning opportunities. Teachers use questioning, dialogue and carefully designed learning experiences to stretch and support every child, fostering curiosity and a love of learning. 

The language of HPL is visible throughout the school, helping pupils understand how they learn as well as what they learn. By explicitly teaching learning behaviours and cognitive strategies, children become increasingly self-aware and able to take ownership of their progress. Key to HPL is integrated, interdisciplinary and experiential approaches to learning which are foundational to the teaching and learning philosophy at LPS Clapham, which are detailed below.  

At LPS Clapham we have created a learning experience that is ambitious, connected and purposeful. Students are challenged not simply to acquire knowledge, but to question, connect, apply and build upon it, developing the confidence and intellectual curiosity to become increasingly independent learners. We equip our students with the knowledge, skills and mindset to achieve highly at school, embrace future opportunities and thrive in a world beyond the classroom. 

Our 2026 GCSE cohort achieved 38% of grades at 9–7 and 95% at 9–4, showing that a curriculum built on curiosity and real-world experiences sits comfortably alongside strong academic outcomes. 

Interdisciplinary learning

Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, we encourage students to understand how knowledge, skills and ideas connect across disciplines and relate to the real world. Interdisciplinary learning is a key feature of education at LPS Clapham, helping students make meaningful links between subjects, think critically, solve problems creatively and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. 

This approach extends across the curriculum, with staff collaborating to highlight connections between different areas of learning. Students might apply mathematical concepts to engineering challenges, explore scientific principles through design technology, or examine contemporary issues through multiple academic lenses. By making these connections explicit, students develop curiosity, independence and the ability to transfer knowledge and skills between contexts. 

Making connections across subjects helps learning become more meaningful, memorable and easier to apply. These are valuable skills as students progress towards GCSEs and beyond, where they are increasingly expected to draw on prior knowledge, interpret information critically and think independently. 

Importantly, interdisciplinary learning makes education engaging and purposeful. Through discussion, collaboration, enquiry and project-based learning, students develop the communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills that will serve them well at school, in future careers and throughout life. 

Integrated learning

One example of our interdisciplinary approach is the Integrated Learning programme in Years 7, 8 and 9. In this unique curriculum model, English, History, Geography and Theology, Philosophy and Religion are taught through shared themes, enabling students to explore concepts from a range of perspectives and build a richer understanding of the topics they study. 

Students investigate thematic units such as London, Family and Relationships, Propaganda and Persuasion and Revolution, drawing upon the knowledge and skills of multiple disciplines within a coherent learning experience. This approach enables students to see connections between subjects, strengthen key literacy and analytical skills, and develop a more joined-up understanding of both the curriculum and the wider world. 

The Integrated Learning programme reflects how people learn, work and solve problems beyond school, creating a curriculum that values collaboration, connection and intellectual curiosity while providing a strong foundation for future academic success. 

Experiential learning

Learning sticks best when doing rather than just listening. We emphasise practical experiments and hands-on exercises, allowing students to learn from mistakes and successes. Nearby galleries, museums, theatres, universities, laboratories, professional workplaces, and cultural institutions provide opportunities for students to observe, question, investigate and apply what they have learned in a real-world context. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, carefully coordinated trips take students further across London and beyond, bringing curriculum content to life and challenging them to think in real world contexts. These experiences allow students to encounter experts, explore new environments and see how their subjects operate in practice. 

Beyond GCSEs – supporting families with the next step

As students move through Years 10 and 11, questions about sixth form, future study and career pathways naturally begin to come into sharper focus. To help families navigate these important decisions, LPS Clapham recently hosted its Beyond GCSEs coffee morning for Year 10 and 11 parents. The event welcomed Heidi Armstrong, Head, LPS Mayfair and…

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LPS Clapham students tackle real-world sustainability challenges at Dukes Education Sustainable Engineering Workshop

Six Year 10 and 11 students recently took part in the Dukes Sustainable Engineering Workshop, one of the many enriching opportunities available to LPS Clapham students thanks to being part of the Dukes Education family. Bringing together students from schools across the Dukes network, the workshop encouraged participants to think creatively about some of the world’s…

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LPS Clapham students explore islamic faith and culture at Morden Mosque

Year 8 students recently visited Morden Mosque as part of their Religious Studies programme, gaining a valuable first-hand insight into Islam and the role faith plays in communities around the world. The visit provided an opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Islamic beliefs and practices while exploring connections between Islam, Christianity and Judaism,…

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