Intent
At. St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, it is our intention to deliver a fully inclusive curriculum where every child makes progress across all areas of learning from their given starting points. In order to achieve this, we provide an engaging and stimulating curriculum, rooted in the Catholic values and our mission statement - “in all things - love”.
Our ambitious curriculum builds on children’s knowledge and skills, and promotes independence and risk-taking, so that our children realise their full human potential. Our learning is contextualised and meaningful to our children. Our teaching, across the range of subjects, allows pupils to experience well-sequenced lessons that inspire them to ask questions and want to know more. This enables pupils to reflect on previous learning, acquire new knowledge and skills; and embed these.
As a ‘Building the Kingdom’ school, we are encouraging our children to be ambassadors of our faith and to implement the teachings of Jesus’ Gospel values and to put Catholic Social teaching in to action. In doing this, we aim to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Preparing our children to live and lead in a world that is quickly evolving, knowing that the decisions that they make will impact the future. Our children will leave St. Mary’s understanding their responsibility in contributing positively to the world. Their learning and experiences throughout their time at our school will equip them with the skills and resilience needed to flourish and overcome challenges, as they move in to the next stage of their lives.
Implementation
We bring our curriculum aims to life through purposeful actions that meet the National Curriculum (2014) and Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (2024) reflecting our Catholic ethos, Building the Kingdom framework, and CARITAS in Action themes.
To view the National Curriculum document please go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-primary-curriculum
- Our children are all ‘Change Makers’ – charity work
- School council – British Values and leading school initiatives
- Spiritual Council - Inter-faith work
- House Captains - Leading retreat mornings
- School of Sanctuary – welcoming refugees
- CAFOD club – live simply pledges ‘stewardship’
- Picture news – passionate about current affairs
- UNCRC - Children recognise their rights and the rights of others
Impact
At Saint Mary's Catholic Primary School, the impact of our curriculum is evident in the well-rounded, confident, and resilient pupils we nurture. Our children leave Saint Mary's with a deep-rooted understanding of their faith and the ability to apply the teachings of Jesus’ Gospel values in their daily lives. They are well-prepared to face the challenges of the future, equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Our pupils demonstrate strong academic progress and personal growth, reflecting the high-quality, engaging and inclusive education they receive. They are independent thinkers, capable of making informed decisions and taking risks in their learning. The curriculum's emphasis on meaningful learning experiences ensures that pupils can connect their education to real-world situations.
As a ‘Building the Kingdom’ school, our children are ambassadors of faith, actively participating in charity work, school councils, inter-faith initiatives and community service. They understand the importance of stewardship and are passionate about current affairs, showing a commitment to making a positive impact on the world around them.
The collaborative efforts of our staff, governors, and the wider school community ensure that our pupils achieve their true potential. By continually reflecting on and adapting our curriculum, we create an environment where every child can thrive, both academically and spiritually.
Our parents say ...
You all make such a difference. The progress in the books is fantastic. My child has grown in confidence and ability throughout the year. The staff here go above and beyond!
Faith at the center of education is the most fulfilling way to learn. There is a true purpose in this school. St Mary’s has changed our lives!
Read more about our impact from external reviews here:
“Pupils behave well. They are polite and well-mannered, and they work hard. They have a firm understanding and appreciation of differences. Pupils show respect and tolerance towards others from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Although the school community has changed over time, everyone is treated equally and made to feel welcome.” (OfSTED, 2023)
“Many pupils enjoy and take part in the wider opportunities the school provides. Pupils learn skills such as karate and chess. Others learn to play a musical instrument or be part of a sports team. School visits, clubs and school events add to pupils’ development. For example, older pupils recently visited the houses of parliament to gain a deeper understanding of democracy and British values.” (OfSTED, 2023)
“The strong Catholic ethos of the school contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils have a clear understanding of other world faiths. They readily take on different roles and responsibilities to help others. Pupils raise impressive funds for different charities.” (OfSTED, 2023)