St Paul's Curriculum
ST PAUL’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL - CURRICULUM INTENT
'In the family of St Paul's, we live and learn with Jesus' loving arms around us.'
KEY SKILLS
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND VALUES
CREATIVITY
HISTORY AND HERITAGE
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
DISCOVERY
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Lumen Christi Curriculum Statement
Outcomes in each school enable our children to reach their full potential as a child of God
Birmingham Archdiocese Catholic Multi Academy Model Scheme of Delegation (2013):
The purpose of a Diocesan Catholic academy is to provide a broad and balanced Catholic education inspired by a vision of life with God, the creator, at its heart as the source and destiny of all human life.
The ‘object’ roots the Academy in its Catholic character and distinctiveness which gives rise the fruits evidenced in the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural growth and development, as well as their attainment and achievement as they grow and learn as a human person.
A diocesan Catholic multi-academy is also required to work as an ecclesial communion, in harmonious relationship with other Catholic schools and academies and local schools based on the call of the Gospel to serve those in need and contribute to the common good.
Lumen Christi schools strive to provide the highest quality Catholic education to all of the children in our communities. Lumen Christi schools are mostly located in the Northfield Constituency of Birmingham which has 31.5% of children living in poverty. (UK figure 25.1%). Although relatively close geographically, they are demographically diverse with the proportion of disadvantaged pupils ranging from 16-60%.
St Thomas Aquinas school launched their Knowledge Curriculum in September 2018. Extensive reflection and discussions around our primary curriculum offer began, following visits to St Thomas Aquinas and the Midlands Knowledge Hub. Principal discussions helped to shape our curriculum intent and our guiding principles. A close collaboration with the West London Free School began, including a pilot of resources based on the Core Knowledge Curriculum. A sustained period of research and planning across all primary schools with input, where possible, from secondary colleagues, followed.
‘Only a well-rounded, knowledge-specific curriculum can impart needed knowledge to all children to overcome inequality of opportunity’ E.D.Hirsch. Core Knowledge Chairman (2016)
Our intention is that the curriculum is ambitious and aims to give all children, particularly the most disadvantaged, the knowledge, cultural capital and experiences they need to fulfil their potential and succeed in life. This is to avoid the temptation to narrow the curriculum and focus disproportionately on the basics and narrow subjects driven by external accountability.
Careful planning has ensured that our schemes of work are coherent and sequenced and designed to support all learners and equip our children with sufficient knowledge and skills for their transition, future learning and employment. The content is carefully focussed on our locality and dialogue with Diocesan advisors has ensured that our rich Catholic ethos and heritage is reflected.
The decision to align staff meetings across all schools helps create regular opportunities for training and joint planning. This has facilitated consistency, enabled future resource preparation and consequently reduced staff workload.
Opportunities for reading and research, learning walks and joint work scrutiny help to build collaboration, communicate expectations and raise standards. Reference to cognitive development theory and pedagogical processes are encouraging evidence based practice and plans for mapping genuine and relevant enrichment activities are in hand.
