At Sacred Heart Primary School we aim to educate the whole child and develop fully their God given potential. The curriculum is shaped to cater for the needs of the individual child so they receive a wide variety of experiences. We believe that our school provides the experience of a living, growing Christian environment for all members of our community. We are committed to the development of the whole child, maintaining a balance between physical, intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional growth.
Within the school, there are clear policies for the teaching of individual subjects as well as an overall curriculum policy.
Religious Education
Religious Education is based on the life of Jesus, Church Festivals, Celebrations and knowledge of other Faiths. The programme "Here I Am" is in use in throughout the school. Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and our beliefs and practices influence all we do in school. In our lessons, we seek to develop the children's knowledge of God's revealed teachings, to deepen their understanding of our Church, to offer guidance on their way of life and to enable them to celebrate fully in their faith, through Liturgy and prayer.
Our aims and objectives for Religious Education are based on the revised edition of the "Here I Am" Diocesan scheme and the two key documents for Catholic Education, Broad Areas of Attainment in RE and the RE Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools.
The Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools, advises us to promote the following:
- Knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and life.
- Knowledge and understanding of the response of faith to the ultimate questions about human life, its origin and purpose.
- The skills required to engage in examination of and reflection upon religious belief and practice.
The school is part of the worshipping community of Sacred Heart Parish. The children have experience of a living liturgy in school through presenting class assemblies and taking part in a variety of celebrations both in school and in Church.
The Foundation Stage
We endeavour to make the start of a child's time at school happy, and the transition to Year One as smooth as possible. The Foundation Stage curriculum is designed to achieve the Early Learning Goals laid down by the government, throughout the Foundation Stage. We aim to provide each child with a cheerful, secure learning environment, in which he or she can play and learn effectively. Each child, whatever their needs or abilities, is encouraged to develop confidence, to become more independent and to develop good social skills through opportunities of spontaneous and planned structured play. As children mature and show readiness and ability, they have access to some more formal activities. The classrooms are organised to meet these needs, reflecting an appropriate balance of child and adult initiated activities. All children follow the Government requirements of the early learning 'Stepping Stones' to meet the 'Early Learning Goals' by the end of Reception.
The curriculum in the Foundation Stage is organised into six areas:
- personal, social and emotional development;
- communication, language and literacy;
- mathematical development;
- knowledge and understanding of the world;
- physical development;
- creative development.
In addition, regular R.E. sessions take place during the week.
The school follows the programmes of study for Key Stage 1 (5 to 7 years) and Key Stage 2 (7-11) as laid down by the National Curriculum. We aim that all pupils will receive a broad and balanced curriculum. The curriculum is under continual review and regular assessment takes place as part of our Assessment, Recording and Reporting procedures within school, beginning with the Foundation Stage Profile during the first half term of entry into the school and ending with SATs at the end of year 2 and 6.
Health and Sex Education are an integral part of the Religious Education, PSHE and Citizenship, and Science curriculum within school. We aim to provide an understanding that positive, caring environments are essential for the development of a good self image and that individuals are in charge of, and responsible for, their own bodies. Within the teachings of the Catholic Church, we provide knowledge about the processes of reproduction, the changes that take place in their bodies and the nature of sexuality and relationships. We encourage the acquisition of skills and attitudes which enable pupils to manage their relationships in a Christian manner.
Key Stages One and Two
The National Curriculum for Key Stage One (children in Years 1 and 2), stipulates a broad and balanced programme of learning activities to be delivered in the 'core' and 'foundation' subjects.
Core Subjects
Religious Education
English
Mathematics
Science
I.C.T. (Information and Communications Technology)
Foundation
Design/Technology
History
Physical Education
Art
Geography
Music
PSHE & C (Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education)
Through the assessing, recording, reporting and monitoring of each child's individual need we aim to help every pupil to progress at his/her individual pace, including the most able and those with specific learning difficulties.
