Curriculum Overview
In September 2023, we launched our new whole-school, thematic curriculum, carefully designed around the children of St Peter’s and the community we serve, with Jesus at the heart of everything we do.
Our bespoke curriculum supports the Diocesan mission of forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.
Our Curriculum
Our Academic Curriculum, enhanced by our Enrichment Curriculum, provides a broad, ambitious and engaging education.
Learning is carefully planned and sequenced so that children know more, remember more and can do more, building the knowledge, skills and understanding they need for the next stage of their education and beyond.
“Teach me good judgment and knowledge.”
— Psalm 119:66
Faith and Inclusion at the Heart
Our Catholic mission is at the heart of our curriculum. Inspired by Jesus the Teacher and Jesus the Shepherd, we nurture children who are curious, thoughtful and eager to learn.
Every child is known, valued and supported to flourish. We recognise and celebrate the unique gifts and talents of every child and work to ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND or who face additional barriers, can access and benefit from our curriculum.
Whatever their starting point or individual circumstances, pupils are included, challenged and supported to achieve their best.
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep.”
— John 10:14
Opening Doors
We want our curriculum to open doors.
Alongside the National Curriculum, our focus on values and personal formation -coupled with our enrichment opportunities - broaden horizons, develop cultural capital and introduce children to experiences, ideas and opportunities they may not otherwise encounter.
We encourage children to ask questions, make connections, apply their learning and develop the confidence to think, create, solve problems and contribute.
"The future starts today, not tomorrow."
- St John Paul II
Our Curriculum Drivers & Aims
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord."
- Colossians 3:23
More Than What We Know
At St Peter’s, we believe education is about more than what children know; it is about who they become.
We want every child to leave us knowledgeable, curious, compassionate and courageous, with a love of learning and the confidence to use their God-given gifts to make a positive difference in God’s world.
"Education is an act of love; it is like giving life."
- Pope Francis
Curriculum Intent
At St Peter's, our curriculum is built around the National Curriculum and Chris Quigley's Milestones, ensuring clear progression in knowledge, skills and understanding from Early Years to Year 6. Rooted in our mission to put Jesus at the heart of everything that we do, we provide an ambitious, inclusive and enriching education of the whole child that enables every pupil to flourish academically, spiritually, socially and morally.
We believe that education is about more than what children know; it is about who they become.
Our curriculum is shaped by five curriculum drivers: Catholic Social Teaching, Resilience, Sustainability, Our Community, and Diversity & Inclusion. These reflect our Catholic values, our pupils' backgrounds and our ambition to develop confident, curious and compassionate learners.
Through these drivers, we offer a broad curriculum and rich opportunities for cultural capital, enabling pupils to experience the best of what has been thought, created and achieved across generations. Our pupils develop the knowledge, skills, values and understanding needed to make a positive contribution to their communities and the wider world, and to thrive in modern Britain and beyond.
Curriculum Implementation
We deliver our curriculum through a thematic approach, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections across their learning. History, Geography, Design Technology, Art and Design and Science are taught through carefully planned topics that provide purpose and coherence across the curriculum. English is planned to complement these themes, helping pupils deepen their understanding through reading, writing and discussion.
To strengthen progression and curriculum coherence, the whole school studies the same curriculum area each term. This allows teachers to build learning systematically, share expertise and ensure that challenge is appropriately matched to pupils' stages of development.
Our curriculum is underpinned by Chris Quigley's threshold concepts and milestones. Threshold concepts provide the big ideas within each subject, while milestones map out the progression of knowledge and skills across year groups. Learning is carefully sequenced so that knowledge is revisited and embedded within long-term memory, enabling pupils to make connections and deepen their understanding. Knowledge webs help pupils connect new learning to prior knowledge and develop strong, meaningful schemas.
Through each subject, pupils develop both substantive knowledge (what they know) and disciplinary knowledge (how experts think and work within a subject). As well as learning important facts, concepts and vocabulary, pupils learn to think, question, investigate and communicate as historians, geographers, scientists, artists and designers. This enables them to deepen their understanding and apply their learning with increasing confidence and independence.
High-quality teaching, effective scaffolding, adaptive practice and appropriate challenge ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND and additional barriers to learning, can access and succeed within the curriculum.
Pupils progress from secure foundations to deeper understanding through direct instruction, guided practice, retrieval practice, discussion, investigation and problem-solving. POP (Portrayal of Progress) tasks enable children to demonstrate and apply their learning.
French and Physical Education are taught by subject specialists, while Computing and Music are delivered through carefully selected and adapted schemes.
Curriculum Impact
As a result of our curriculum, pupils develop secure knowledge and understanding that they can remember, apply and build upon over time. They make meaningful connections between subjects and become increasingly confident, resilient, independent and reflective learners.
Children leave St Peter's with the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and character needed for the next stage of their education. They understand the importance of faith, service and stewardship, demonstrate resilience when faced with challenge, show curiosity about the world around them and are able to think critically and creatively.
Our pupils are known, valued and supported to flourish. They develop the character, confidence and cultural understanding needed for the next stage of their education and for life beyond St Peter's.
Ultimately, our curriculum enables children to know more, remember more and become more, growing into compassionate, courageous, responsible and successful young people who put their faith into action, make a positive difference in the world and flourish in all that they do.
Remote Learning Provision
Where a pupil is unable to attend school for a period of time but is well enough to learn at home, the school will provide appropriate learning activities to support continuity of education. The school follows the DfE guidance on safeguarding and remote education to protect pupils online during any period of remote education.
All remote learning arrangements will be tailored to the pupil's age, needs and individual circumstances. Parents and carers should contact the school if they require further information or support.
Finding Out More About Our Curriculum
If you would like to find out more about our curriculum, please contact the school office. We will be very happy to help and direct your enquiry to the relevant member of staff.