Curriculum Introduction
Curriculum Intent
At St. Gerard’s Catholic Primary School, our intention is to provide an ambitious, broad and balanced education which enables every child to flourish academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. We strive to ensure that every child feels valued, nurtured and part of the St. Gerard’s family.
We pay close regard to the formation of the whole person so that pupils leave our school strong in faith and fully prepared to make a positive contribution to the world.
Our curriculum is carefully tailored to the children of St. Gerard’s Catholic Primary School. We teach the knowledge and skills outlined in the National Curriculum for England whilst modelling and promoting the virtues shown to us by Christ through the Gospels.
We intend for our curriculum to be intellectually stimulating and inspiring by providing children with meaningful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. These opportunities enable pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and cultural capital needed to succeed in life, including pupils who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Throughout our curriculum, we promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and vocational development alongside an understanding of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.
Implementation
Children are challenged daily to become inquisitive, resilient, creative and independent learners through high-quality teaching across all curriculum subjects. Whilst subjects are taught discretely, teachers make purposeful links across the curriculum to deepen understanding and strengthen pupils’ ability to transfer knowledge and skills.
Our teaching approach is informed by Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and reflects our commitment to high-quality teaching for all pupils. Teachers regularly review prior learning to strengthen pupils’ long-term memory and carefully question pupils to deepen thinking and assess understanding. Learning is sequenced logically and presented in small, manageable steps, with teachers modelling best practice and supporting pupils through guided practice before independent application.
Teachers adapt learning appropriately to ensure all pupils can access an ambitious curriculum. Appropriate scaffolds, targeted support and challenge are used to enable every child to succeed and make progress.
Teachers explicitly teach and revisit subject-specific vocabulary and provide regular opportunities for discussion so that pupils can confidently articulate their understanding and explain their thinking.
Timetabling
Our timetable has been carefully designed using research into how children learn most effectively. We recognise that learning is strengthened through regular practice, retrieval and carefully sequenced teaching.
In the mornings, pupils focus on English and Mathematics to develop fluency in core skills. Depending on age and stage of development, this includes phonics, handwriting, spelling, grammar, reading and writing. Daily Mathematics lessons ensure pupils develop strong mathematical understanding and reasoning skills, including mastery of number.
In the afternoons, Science and foundation subjects are often taught in carefully planned blocks. This approach allows pupils to study subjects in greater depth, make stronger connections in their learning and reduce unnecessary cognitive overload caused by frequent switching between subjects. Through regular retrieval practice and revisiting of prior learning, we aim to support knowledge moving into pupils’ long-term memory.
Impact
When children leave St. Gerard’s Catholic Primary School, they will:
- have a strong faith and spiritual understanding rooted in Catholic values;
- possess secure and transferable knowledge across the curriculum;
- be able to retrieve prior learning and make meaningful connections between subjects;
- think creatively, critically and independently;
- demonstrate resilience, confidence and curiosity as learners;
- show compassion, respect, tolerance and forgiveness towards others;
- be fully prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond primary school.
