Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

Socrates

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Albert Einstein

As a Catholic School through our curriculum we are able to make real links between the values of our pupils and the lives of others in their community, country and the world in general. We teach about democracy, civic responsibility, rules and laws, the monarchy, equality, freedom of speech, values and virtues, environmental awareness and understanding of other faiths. We do this through PSHCE and RE, History, Geography, the choice of literature covered in Literacy, cross- curricular projects and specific themed weeks. We also do it through the way in which our community is organised.

Our curriculum is purposefully constructed to provide a clear progression model – linked to expectations set out in the National Curriculum. St Joseph’s learners are entitled to an education that equips them with the knowledge, skills and values they need in order to embrace the opportunities and challenges they encounter; leaving them ready for their next stage in life.

At St Joseph’s the curriculum is delivered so that tasks match the needs and abilities of our children. We are aware that at different times, and for a variety of reasons, children will at some stage require help and support additional to that which they receive in the classroom. We monitor children closely and set up good systems of support.

The school makes full use of all agencies which can help to ensure that every child’s needs are met. These agencies include support guidance and advice from speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, social services and waterside behaviour intervention team. We work with a number of external agencies who are able to provide advice and support for our families.

Intent

The St. Joseph’s curriculum aims to enable pupils to:

• Value and understand the importance of their ongoing education.
• Become confident, positive learners who make effective progress and achieve their potential.
• Understand how to live a safe, healthy and happy life.

Implementation

Learning is purposefully planned to build upon prior learning and develop deeper understanding from FS – Y6.

Clear progression documents (based on the National Curriculum) account for how the curriculum is both spiral and interleaved; accounting for prior knowledge, key objectives (from the national curriculum), key vocabulary and key themes. We focus on both the journey our curriculum takes children on and the role of cognitive psychology to build up knowledge and skills.

A dialogic approach where teachers ‘Think Out Loud’ (Lets Think!) is consistent in curriculum delivery to ensure pupils are able to engage with their learning and analyse their thoughts.

Impact

Our curriculum:

• Promotes ambitious, aspirational high standards in Reading, Writing and Maths – readying children for their next stage of education.
• Exposes children to quality texts and a love of reading, across the curriculum.
• Is broad, balanced and well-structured; with sequenced learning that ensures progress in each subject.
• Values subjects as a discipline in their own right.
• Provides children with a sense of wellbeing and pride in all that they achieve.
• Offers a broad range of enrichment opportunities to further support the development of cultural capital.

At St. Joseph’s we follow the Come and See programme recommended by Southwark Diocese, which is in line with the Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools 2012. We ensure that 10% of curriculum time is dedicated to Religious Education, that the subject is well-resourced and that teaching and learning is rigorously monitored.

For more information about our curriculum offer please contact support@stjosephs.greenwich.sch.uk