Curriculum Statement
Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary School
CURRICULUM STATEMENT
Through careful consideration and construction, we have developed a fully inclusive, ambitious curriculum with the intention that learning at Saint Mary’s will provide all our children, including those with a special education need and/or disability, with the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to be citizens of the future who will make a significant contribution to society.
At Saint Mary’s, we are ready, respectful, and safe. It is important to recognise that our children live in a world that is rapidly changing and subsequently our curriculum must be dynamic with a flexible approach in order to respond to changing needs for the future. Throughout our cohesive curriculum there are clear end points developed. These are achieved through a carefully planned sequence and where possible, using the local resources and context to enhance learning. By making learning relevant, children are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge. As a result, we wish our children to be ready to meet the challenges they face, respectful towards others, and safe in the knowledge they are loved by Jesus.
The core principles of Ready, Respectful and Safe run through every aspect of our expectations and ethos. The school is built on these principles and underpinned by the Gospel Values;
• Courage
• Creativity
• Thankfulness
• Responsibility
• Compassion
• Peace
• Service
• Justice
• Trust
• Hope
• Love
• Forgiveness
• Friendship
• Humility
• Generosity
• Reverence
• Respect
Alongside the Gospel Values and our Mission Statement, “Saint Mary’s is a Christ-Centred learning community, where all are Safe, Valued and Loved” we strive to increase the happiness of our children and staff in order to build happiness and success in our community.
Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary school offers a broad and balanced curriculum which: promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical development of pupils at the school and of society. The curriculum prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life. At Saint Mary’s we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, the National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 and for our Religious Education we use The Way, the Truth and the Life. We strive to provide a secure, loving atmosphere, where pupils are encouraged to be ready, respectful, and safe.
Children experience a wide range of opportunities during their time at Saint Mary’s. Our well-established Forest School is an effective cohesive facilitator of other subjects enabling a mixture of purposeful outdoor learning and generating a love and care of the natural world. In its own right, Forest School learning enables children to develop an understanding of collaboration, team work, problem solving, resilience, resourcefulness and reflection with high degrees of responsibility and safety.
Personal Development is pivotal in building confidence, resilience, and independence. Children are invited to take part in pupil led groups including GIFT team, Mini Vinnies, Eco & School Council. Within these groups the children develop their leadership skills and implement positive change for the school with a focus on the environment, fundraising, and enrichment ideas and activities.
Our curriculum enables our children to be passionate about reading, writing and mathematics whilst developing their gospel values, relationships, and care for the community. Building a relationship with Jesus and following in His footsteps is at the heart of all that we do at Saint Mary’s