Curriculum
As a whole school family, we have created a school curriculum where our seven Christian values are embedded at the heart of all we do. We take great care to ensure that the value of perseverance underpins all of our teachings, while our over-arching value of love unites all experiences of life and learning at St Thomas’.
At St Thomas’, we aim to have a personalised, inspiring, integrated but flexible curriculum. It is the flexibility that allows us to be responsive to the interests of our children and make links to other curriculum areas when they are meaningful to do so. Underpinning our integrated learning journey is a set of curriculum drivers. Children learn through a progressive, creative, topic-based curriculum which is broad and balanced. We also recognise the importance of educating the ‘whole’ child in order that all pupils can make good progress, socially, emotionally and academically.
We intend to deliver a curriculum that is fully inclusive, provides challenge for all and develops the skills and attitudes required to excel in learning, whilst also preparing our children to be responsible 21st century citizens, who are ready to take their place in Modern Britain.
But most of all, we strongly believe learning should be lively, engaging and fun!
In the teaching of English, each year group uses a range of high quality texts, films, pictures and other stimuli to engage children in their learning. These stimuli may be used for up to a half term, from which a broad range of genre and text-types can be covered. Where these texts link to a topic, the English is taught as part of the topic. Where it does not link, the English forms a mini-topic of its own, running alongside the class topic. Grammar and punctuation are taught through and outside of the texts as a regular part of the weekly planning.
In the teaching of Foundation subjects, each year group bases the learning around a common theme/topic with a particular area of focus, for example history, geography, art etc. Where a particular subject does not link to the topic, this will be taught discretely each half term.
In the teaching of maths, each year group uses the units of work described in the National Curriculum materials.
Children are encouraged to be independent learners and creative thinkers.
The curriculum includes the formal programme of lessons, the extra-curricular activities, the climate of relationships and the positive ethos i.e. the attitudes, values and behaviour promoted by the school community as a whole, with an emphasis on life-long learning.
Children who are four and under, follow the Early Years Curriculum whereas the rest of the school follow the National Curriculum 2014 which encompasses the following areas:
Core Subjects - English, Maths, Science, RE
Non-Core Subjects - Art & Design, Computing, Citizenship, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, PE and at KS2 Modern Foreign Language.
Curriculum 2014 is divided into year group expectations. National tests are taken at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 in reading, writing, mathematics and spelling grammar and punctuation. A scaled score will be achieved, the national expectation being 100 for most 11 year olds.
But most of all, we strongly believe learning should be lively, engaging and fun!
Please look at our Curriculum Maps and End of Year Expectations to find out specific information for each class.
To find out more about National Curriculum requirements, please follow the links below and read the attached documents:
Early Years
https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage
KS1 and KS2
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-framework-for-key-stages-1-to-4/the-national-curriculum-in-england-framework-for-key-stages-1-to-4#numeracy-and-mathematics
British Values
At St Thomas’ we recognise, not only the importance of helping pupils to flourish academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, so that they are fully prepared for life in British society and for their role as responsible citizens. The promotion of ‘British Values’ is central to our education because British values have their origin in the Christian Values of our nation.
At St Thomas’ Primary we uphold and teach about British Values within the framework of our Christian Values. These British Values are defined as:
- Democracy
- Rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
These values are integral to our vision and day to day life at school. They are also reinforced in whole school assemblies and through timetabled sessions within our broad and balanced curriculum.
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Our Learning Offer
St Thomas’ Rucksack of Opportunities
As part of our curriculum and learning development, we have put together a school Learning Offer which we feel the children in our community need and deserve, and can during their seven years at St Thomas’ Primary School. The Learning Offer celebrates both academic and social learning in a positive ‘have a go’ culture.
At St Thomas’ CE Primary School, we offer and value positivity and confidence in academic and social learning. We love learning and use our mistakes to refine our skills and attitudes, making the most of the support we are given. In our school, we encourage creativity and independence, developing skills for life. Our children will flourish in a ‘have a go’ ethos, managed by strong team collaboration, nurturing and structured routines and imaginative, enabling environments. Whilst at school, our children will experience:
- Live theatre performance
- Budgeting
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Online safety
- Bike Safety
- Cooking skills
- Countryside awareness
- Woodland walks
- Den building
- Outdoor art
- Meeting live animals
- Real-life learning such as packing/unpacking, cleaning teeth, eating with a knife and fork
- Self-esteem and confidence building
- Swimming
- Meeting people who do different jobs
- Visits to different environments
- Take part in musical or other productions
- Learn a musical instrument
- Been offered a place on a residential
- Opportunities to supervise younger children
- First aid skills
- Explore spirituality
- Representing the school
- Voting
- Planned and delivered an assembly in school or in Church
- Contributing to the local community