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St Agatha's Curriculum

We believe that children deserve a balanced curriculum that enables them to develop a deep understanding of all subjects and the interconnections between them.

The rationale for our Curriculum takes the form of 10 big ideas that provide a purpose for the aspects, skills, knowledge and contexts chosen to form the substance of the curriculum.

These big ideas form a series of multi-dimensional interconnected threads across the curriculum, allowing children to encounter and revisit their learning through a variety of subject lenses. Over time, these encounters help children to build conceptual frameworks that will enable a better understanding of increasingly sophisticated information and ideas.
 

Humankind
Understanding what it means to be human and the cause and effect of human behaviour.		 Processes
Understanding the many dynamic and physical processes that shape the world around us.
Creativity
Understanding how every day and exceptional creativity can inspire and change perceptions.		 Investigation
Understanding the importance of asking questions, formulating hypotheses, gathering information and analysing evidence.
Materials
Understanding the unique and physical properties of all matter and how we interact with them.		 Nature
Understanding the complexities and interdependence of the plant and animal species that inhabit the world’s many ecosystems.
Place and space
Understanding the visual, cultural, social and environmental aspects of different places around the world.		 Comparison
Understanding how and why things are the same or different.
Significance
Understanding why significant people, places, events and inventions matter.		 Change
Understanding why and how things have changed over time.

General Principles

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

  • explore the breadth and depth of the national curriculum
  • develop a rich and deep subject knowledge
  • learn within a coherent and progressive framework
  • develop new skills through a variety of interesting contexts
  • see clear links between different aspects of their learning
  • experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning
  • develop and demonstrate their creativity
  • understand the purpose and value of their learning and see its relevance to their past, present and future

Pedagogy

Our curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that:

  • excites, promotes and sustains children’s interest
  • enables and fosters children’s natural curiosity
  • promotes problem solving, creativity and communication
  • enables children to reflect on and evaluate their learning

SMSC/FBV

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

  • Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict
  • Moral - Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views
  • Spiritual - Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences
  • Cultural - Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity
  • Democracy - Be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part
  • Individual liberty - Be free to express views or ideas
  • Rule of law - Learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour
  • Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others

Wellbeing

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

  • learn in a supportive environment
  • work in a range of groups and settings
  • recognise that people are good at different things
  • build respectful friendships
  • develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities
  • learn how to respect themselves and others
  • reflect and think mindfully about their learning
  • follow their own interests and be themselves

Pupil Voice

Our curriculum will give children the opportunity to:

  • make a positive contribution to the school and local community
  • take part in democratic activities across the curriculum
  • take part in age-appropriate discussions
  • express their opinions on a range of different topics and issues
  • make choices about things that are important to them
  • explore ways of becoming an active citizen
  • say what they like and dislike about their learning
  • contribute to planning their own learning

Enrichment

We will enrich our curriculum by:

  • welcoming parents and carers to take part in children’s learning and experiences
  • using quality resources in and out of the classroom
  • holding specialist curriculum days or weeks
  • developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning
  • offering opportunities for children to learn outdoors
  • providing on and off-site subject or topic related activities
     

To find more information about each subject and our curriculum, please visit the Policies Page and curriculum pages, speak to your class teacher or visit the Department for Education National Curriculum pages here.