CUSP Big Ideas

Brierley Hill Primary School: CUSP Big Ideas

A Curriculum That Develops Deep Understanding, Critical Thinking, and Global Awareness

At Brierley Hill Primary School, we believe that a knowledge-rich curriculum must go beyond isolated facts and concepts. The CUSP (Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership) Big Ideas are the key themes that connect learning across subjects and year groups, helping pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the world, themselves, and others.

Big ideas are not taught in isolation but are woven throughout the curriculum, ensuring pupils:

🧠 Make meaningful connections between subjects – Helping them develop a broad, interconnected worldview.
🔄 Use retrieval and fluency practice – Revisiting key themes to build long-term understanding.
🗣 Engage in rich discussion and oral rehearsal – Strengthening their ability to reason, debate, and think critically.
🌍 Develop global awareness and cultural literacy – Preparing them for life in modern Britain and beyond.

Our ambition is that every child leaves primary school with a deep and nuanced understanding of these big ideas, equipping them with the knowledge, curiosity, and critical thinking skills to succeed in secondary education and beyond​CUSP-big-ideas-overview….

What Are CUSP Big Ideas?

A Three-Dimensional Curriculum

The CUSP Big Ideas provide a multi-layered structure for learning, ensuring that knowledge is:

📚 Not just remembered but understood – Pupils connect new ideas to prior learning.
🔗 Integrated across subjects – Reinforcing concepts through multiple disciplines.
🗣 Explored through discussion and reasoning – Encouraging deep thinking and debate.

Each big idea is carefully selected to help pupils make sense of the world, their place in it, and their responsibilities as global citizens.

The CUSP Big Ideas at Brierley Hill Primary

1️⃣ British Heritage

🔹 Understanding Britain's history, culture, and values.
🔹 Exploring significant historical figures, events, and literature.
🔹 Encouraging reflection on the lessons we can learn from the past​CUSP-big-ideas-British-….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• History: The Great Fire of London, The Windrush Generation, British monarchs.
• Geography: UK study, comparisons between British regions.
• Reading: The Magician’s Nephew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

2️⃣ Environmental Responsibility

🌍 Understanding climate change, sustainability, and our impact on the planet.
🌱 Exploring how individual and collective actions can protect the environment.
🔄 Developing practical solutions to reduce waste, energy use, and pollution​CUSP-big-ideas-Environm….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• Science: The impact of climate change on habitats.
• Design & Technology: Sustainable materials in textiles and food production.
• Reading: Greta and the Giants, There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom.

3️⃣ The Natural World

🌿 Encouraging curiosity about the world around us.
🔬 Building scientific knowledge about plants, animals, forces, and materials.
🛡 Teaching respect and responsibility for nature​CUSP-big-ideas-The-natu….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• Science: Evolution, biomes, food chains, ecosystems.
• Geography: Earth’s physical processes (volcanoes, rivers, mountains).
• Reading: The Street Beneath My Feet, Shackleton’s Journey.

4️⃣ Understanding Others

🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑 Developing empathy and respect for different cultures, religions, and perspectives.
🔍 Exploring identity, inclusion, and the impact of prejudice.
🎭 Ensuring all pupils see themselves represented in the curriculum​CUSP-big-ideas-Understa….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• PSHE: Celebrating diversity, challenging stereotypes.
• History: The Windrush Generation, women in history.
• Reading: The Proudest Blue, Young, Gifted and Black.

5️⃣ Community, Citizenship, and the Wider World

🏡 Understanding our role in society and how we contribute.
⚖ Exploring democracy, social justice, and ethical dilemmas.
🗣 Fostering kindness, collaboration, and moral responsibility​CUSP-big-ideas-Communit….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• History: Ancient Greek democracy, the struggle for civil rights.
• Music: How music brings communities together.
• Reading: Boy in the Tower, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant.

6️⃣ Overcoming Adversity

💪 Teaching resilience, perseverance, and emotional strength.
📖 Learning from historical and contemporary figures who have triumphed over hardship.
🔎 Helping pupils navigate personal challenges and setbacks​CUSP-big-ideas-Overcomi….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• Reading: The Lion Inside, Dare to Be You.
• History: Evacuation during World War II, the suffragette movement.
• Assemblies: Growth mindset, dealing with failure.

7️⃣ Technology and the Advancement of Humanity

🤖 Understanding how technology shapes our world and future.
🔬 Exploring historical and modern scientific breakthroughs.
🛠 Encouraging pupils to think about the ethical implications of technology​CUSP-big-ideas-Technolo….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• Science: DNA and medical advancements, space exploration.
• History: The Industrial Revolution, the invention of flight.
• Reading: Pig Heart Boy, Operation Gadgetman.

8️⃣ Migration

✈ Exploring the movement of people across time and place.
🌍 Understanding the reasons for migration and its impact on societies.
💡 Developing sensitivity and awareness about refugee and immigrant experiences​CUSP-big-ideas-Migration.

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• History: The Windrush Generation, Viking invasions, ancient trade routes.
• Geography: Human settlement, migration patterns.
• Reading: The Boy at the Back of the Class, Coming to England.

9️⃣ Friendship and Kindness

❤️ Teaching pupils how to form positive relationships.
🧠 Exploring emotional intelligence, well-being, and self-care.
🤝 Embedding kindness as a core school value​CUSP-big-ideas-Friendsh….

📖 Examples Across the Curriculum:

• Reading: Paddington, Beegu, Rooftoppers.
• Science: Health and well-being, emotional regulation.
• Assemblies: Fairness, peace, and listening.

CUSP Big Ideas: A Curriculum That Builds Deep Thinkers

At Brierley Hill Primary, these big ideas are more than just themes – they are the foundation of our whole curriculum.

🌟 Why do we use CUSP Big Ideas?
✅ They give pupils a framework for deep thinking.
✅ They help pupils see connections between subjects.
✅ They encourage curiosity, discussion, and debate.

By embedding CUSP Big Ideas across all subjects, we ensure that pupils leave our school with a broad, rich understanding of the world, a passion for learning, and the critical thinking skills to navigate life with confidence.

Further Information

For more details, including:
📌 CUSP Curriculum Overviews
📌 How Big Ideas Are Mapped Across Subjects
📌 Teacher CPD on Big Ideas and Interdisciplinary Learning

Please contact Tom Amphlett, at info@brierleyhill.dudley.sch.uk.