Curriculum

St Thomas’ C of E Primary School

Statement of Intent

The aim at St Thomas’ is to provide opportunities for children to develop as independent, resilient, confident, successful learners with high aspirations, who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. There is a high focus on developing children’s moral, spiritual, social and cultural understanding whilst celebrating difference. St Thomas’ ensures that children are well prepared for life in modern Britain and have an awareness of global citizenship.

We are a Church of England school and so we work hard to live as Jesus taught us so that we can learn, play, work, live and grow together. We want everyone at our school to feel happy, confident and safe. We want learning to be fun and exciting and we want our teaching to inspire and encourage children and adults so that they enjoy their time at school. We expect all the adults and children in our school community to have the same commitment to this.

St Thomas’ provides a highly inclusive environment where learners enjoy their education. Pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and encouraged to expand their skills and knowledge through varied curriculum opportunities. Those who find learning more difficult are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace and to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.

St Thomas’ focus on curriculum development is always carefully designed to ensure coverage and progression. It provides pupils with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which children can learn and develop a range of transferable skills. A primary focus of our curriculum is to raise aspirations, engender a sense of personal pride in achievement, provide a purpose and relevance for learning and ultimately to help every student to find their own strengths and interests.

Sport has a high profile at St Thomas’, and pupils are introduced to a huge variety of activities. Traditional sports such as netball and football are complimented by cricket, tennis, running, athletics, tag rugby, dance, gymnastics and swimming. Giving sport a focus across St Thomas’ has engaged many children including children with SEN.

St Thomas’ provides the full core offer of extended school provision. To promote physical health and wellbeing, we give learners an opportunity to access a wide variety of clubs after school hours and during lunch times.

Subject leaders play an important part in the success of the curriculum by leading a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review. The curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and small groups of children can be met within the environment of high quality teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. In this way it can be seen to impact in a very positive way on pupil outcomes. Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour. Children feel safe to try new things. High quality visits and visitors into St Thomas’ are also well designed to enhance the curriculum.