The curriculum at St Aidan’s

Our Curriculum: Intent

As a Catholic school, the principles of Catholic education remain at the core of the curriculum at St Aidan’s. Our ethos is lived out through Christ’s teaching and our culture of promoting Gospel values. We believe that each child is perceived as a precious individual.

St Aidan’s has an ambitious, rich, broad and balanced curriculum that is embedded securely and consistently across the school. We align with the Early Years Framework from Nursery through to the end of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum in Year 6.

Our Curriculum: Implementation

The curriculum at St Aidan’s is taught systematically and explicitly enough for all pupils to acquire the knowledge and skills that they need in order to achieve regardless of ability. New knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Our curriculum is driven by the needs of the pupils and addresses any gaps in their knowledge and skills with adaptations as necessary. The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced to equip pupils with cumulative knowledge and skills for future learning. Understanding is revisited and developed year-on-year, to ensure a real depth of learning across the school

Teachers plan lessons meticulously using prior skilful assessment to match the learning according to need. All staff implement strategies for effective learning from evidence-based research including that of Kagan and Rosenshine. This means each teacher recognises the importance of outstanding questioning, opportunities for speaking and listening through discussion, paired and group work and role-play. Lessons are pitched with high expectations to drive the high standards. Well prepared lessons have imaginative activities matched to learning objectives and tasks are demanding. Active learning strategies and carefully chosen resources are utilised effectively.

Continuing Professional Development for all staff is a priority to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver the highest standards across the entire curriculum. Assessment is used effectively to inform provision and identify next steps and includes skilful differentiation, targeted support or tailored intervention

Our Curriculum: Impact

St Aidan’s takes pride in providing a highly inclusive environment and pupils at all levels are helped to achieve their potential. Those who are most able are challenged and offered tasks which provide opportunities for greater depth. Those who find learning challenging are encouraged and given targeted support to embed skills, to develop at their own pace or simply to learn in a style that best suits their individual needs.

Our curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to develop as independent, confident and successful learners, with high aspirations, who know how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider society. It ensures that academic success, creativity, problem solving, reliability, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and mental health are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning.

Our curriculum values diversity. It supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, ensuring that they are well prepared for life in modern Britain. St Aidan’s equips pupils with the cultural capital that they need to succeed in life. Our pupils will be inspired by what the world has to offer. They will have self-belief, inquisitive minds and a spirit of curiosity. Ultimately, we want all of our pupils to be happy, be the best they can be and feel loved and valued for who they are.