The ultimate aim of Curriculum for Wales is to help pupils pursue the Four Purposes. At Cardiff High School, we see this as developing pupils’ understanding of the world around them. Helping them to appreciate, critique, thrive in and shape that world.

The extent to which pupils achieve the purposes largely depends on the quality and quantity of what they learn. The more useful, valuable and interesting things pupils learn, the greater their capacity to think and act in valuable, interesting and useful ways.

All of this means a focus on learning progression, where pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills develops and become more sophisticated over time.

Our curriculum design is guided by three principles: 

• Breadth: Pupils experience a wide range of subjects and perspectives, each offering unique ways of thinking about the world.

• Value: We prioritise the most important concepts, knowledge and skills that learners need to thrive.

• Coherence: Learning is logically sequenced and connected, allowing pupils to make meaningful connections across subjects and experiences. 

This approach ensures that learners are not only prepared for qualifications and future pathways, but also equipped to understand, engage with and shape the world, which is the ultimate purpose of education.