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, please visit the Policies page and curriculum pages.