Building Brighter Futures: From Local Roots to a Global Heart

At Pilton Bluecoat Academy, our vision of Building Brighter Futures underpins everything we do. We believe that to thrive in today’s interconnected world, children must first understand who they are and where they come from—before looking outward to appreciate the lives, cultures, and perspectives of others. By rooting learning in both our local area and the wider world, we develop confident, compassionate, and outward-looking young people.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to take children on a journey—from exploring their own locality to making meaningful international connections. Each year in Key Stage 2 builds on the last, reinforcing our belief that children’s aspirations should not be limited by geography, background, or ability.

In Year 3, pupils begin their journey close to home. They study Barnstaple, Devon, and the wider UK, gaining a strong sense of place and developing early map skills, geographical understanding, and historical context. This forms the essential foundation for global learning—children first need to understand their own story to connect meaningfully with others.

In Year 4, learning expands to Segovia, Spain, through a rich, cross-curricular topic that compares our local landscape with that of this historic Spanish city. Pupils engage in curriculum-linked projects such as designing and constructing aqueduct models in Design and Technology, inspired by Segovia’s iconic structure. Our partnership with a school in Segovia enables children to exchange work and deepen cultural understanding. Every two years a group of children get the opportunity to visit El Peñascal to deepen cultural understanding.

In Year 5, we connect with our partner school in Potsdam, Germany, This unit explores sustainability, trade, and culture. The UK-German Connection, has identified our project work with a Evangelishe Grundschule and provided funding to support families in helping to take children out there. Ongoing joint projects and online collaboration offer every child the chance to participate, reflect, and develop as a global citizen. Year 5 also includes a key visit to London, where pupils tour Parliament and explore British Values in action—promoting active citizenship and understanding of democracy, law, and individual liberty.

By Year 6, our global journey reaches Mangalore, India, where we have an enriching partnership with Lourdes Central School. Pupils connect through live video calls and shared learning projects focused on education, daily life, and culture. Plans are underway for a curriculum-aligned visit to India for staff and pupils, giving our children first-hand international experience that will inspire lifelong empathy, curiosity, and ambition.

These progressive experiences across the Key Stage not only strengthen geographical and cultural understanding but also promote values of respect, diversity, and sustainability. Our children learn that their postcode does not define their potential—and that they have a meaningful part to play in shaping a brighter future for all.

Pilton Bluecoat Academy is proud to be a school with local roots and a global heart, where every child has the opportunity to grow as a learner, a citizen, and a changemaker.