St Mary's School Curriculum Overview

At St Mary's School, we offer an ambitious and inclusive curriculum designed to inspire and engage all of our learners. Our approach is centered on providing rich, first-hand experiences that allow every child to thrive and develop holistically. We pride ourselves on nurturing each child’s growth, not just academically but also socially, emotionally, and spiritually. While we ensure that the curriculum meets the full Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the Key Stage 1 and 2 (KS1/KS2) National Curriculum requirements, we go beyond these standards by offering a thoughtfully delivered curriculum that is enriched with opportunities for exploration, creativity, and the development of key values.

Curriculum Intent:

  1. Inclusive Learning for All:
    We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, can access our curriculum. This includes children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We take pride in tailoring our approach to meet the needs and interests of each child, creating an environment where all learners, including those with barriers to learning, can succeed.

  2. Ambition for All Learners:
    Our curriculum aims to cultivate confident, lifelong learners who are well-prepared to face future challenges. We go beyond academic success by fostering personal growth, social development, and emotional well-being. Our goal is to help children become well-rounded, resilient individuals who are equipped with the skills they need to navigate an ever-changing world.

  3. Nurturing Children:
    Nurturing the emotional and social development of our children is at the heart of everything we do at St Mary's. We create a warm and caring environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. This nurturing approach helps children develop self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, which empowers them to take on challenges and grow in every aspect of their lives.

  4. First-Hand Experiences:
    To promote deep learning, we provide children with opportunities for real-world, hands-on learning. This approach not only enhances the National Curriculum objectives but also makes lessons more meaningful and memorable. Children gain valuable experiences that build connections between knowledge and the world around them.

  5. Koinonia, Friendship, Compassion, and Trust:
    Through our curriculum, we foster and develop the core values of Koinonia (community and fellowship), Friendship, Compassion, and Trust. We believe these values are essential to creating a supportive and respectful learning environment where every child feels valued and cared for. These values are integrated into everyday learning, encouraging students to collaborate, support one another, approach others with kindness and empathy, and build meaningful, trusting relationships. By promoting Compassion, we teach our children to be considerate and understanding, while Trust helps them develop a strong sense of security, honesty, and reliability in their interactions with others.

  6. Parental Involvement and Open Partnership:
    At St Mary’s, we believe that a strong partnership between school and home is essential to a child’s success. We work closely with parents, encouraging open communication and a collaborative approach to each child's learning and development. We value the input and involvement of families in the educational journey and offer regular opportunities for parents to engage with the school through meetings, workshops, and school events.

  7. Specialist Support:
    For children facing barriers to learning, including those with SEND, we offer specialized support to ensure that all learners can access the curriculum in a way that best suits their individual needs. By providing tailored strategies and resources, we ensure that every child, no matter their ability, can fully participate and make progress in their educational journey.

Curriculum Implementation:

  1. National Curriculum as a Foundation:
    Our curriculum is built upon the National Curriculum, ensuring that we meet the required learning objectives in core subjects such as English, Maths, and Science. We focus on clear, progressive development of skills and knowledge to prepare children for the next stage of their learning and beyond.

  2. Kapow Primary for Foundation Subjects:
    To deliver a high-quality education across all foundation subjects, we use Kapow Primary, a comprehensive curriculum scheme. Kapow supports subjects like History, Geography, Art, Music, PE, and Design & Technology. This ensures that our students experience a broad, balanced, and challenging curriculum that engages their creativity and curiosity.

  3. Enrichment:
    At St Mary’s, we believe that learning should extend beyond the classroom. To enrich our students' learning experiences, we provide a variety of activities such as school trips, guest speakers, special events, and extracurricular clubs. These experiences support children's learning in a creative and engaging way, promoting personal growth and fostering a love for learning.

  4. Personalised Learning:
    Every child is unique, and we understand the importance of offering personalized learning opportunities. We provide targeted interventions and differentiated support to accommodate various learning styles and abilities, ensuring that all children can progress and achieve their full potential.

Curriculum Impact:

Our curriculum is designed to help children achieve their highest potential by equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for lifelong success. Through fostering curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning, we prepare students for future academic and personal growth. We also aim to instill the values of Koinonia, Friendship, Compassion, and Trust, ensuring our children become not only successful learners but also caring, kind, and responsible citizens.

At St Mary’s, we are proud of the nurturing, challenging, and supportive learning environment we create, where every child is encouraged to flourish, build meaningful relationships, and reach their full potential, supported by the strong partnership between home and school.

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