We strive to ensure that every pupil, regardless of background, culture, race, gender or ability, is given the opportunity to flourish, succeed and reach their full potential. Our learning offer is creative, engaging and thoughtfully designed around the needs and interests of the children of St Michael’s.

We believe it is important that children see themselves, their families and their experiences reflected in the curriculum. We strive to make this possible through our choice of texts, resources, topics and role models, celebrating the diversity of our school community and the wider world. This helps every child develop a sense of belonging, feel valued and represented, and grow in understanding and respect for others.

A Curriculum Designed for Our Children

At St Michael’s, our curriculum is more than a statutory framework — it is a carefully crafted journey that reflects the children we serve. We fulfil all national requirements while designing learning that is rich, purposeful and meaningful, helping every child grow in confidence, curiosity and capability.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In Foundation Stage 1 (Nursery) and Foundation Stage 2 (Reception), children follow the EYFS Framework through a nurturing, play-based approach that builds strong foundations for communication, independence and a love of learning. Our curriculum brings together purposeful play, adult-guided activities and carefully planned experiences across all seven areas of learning and development.

We place particular emphasis on communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and physical development. Through high-quality interactions, stories, songs and conversations, staff enrich children’s vocabulary and help them express their ideas, needs and feelings. Warm relationships and consistent routines support children to feel secure, develop friendships and grow in confidence.

Early reading, phonics and mathematics are woven into daily learning. We use Read Write Inc. to support the development of early reading skills and Mastering Number in Reception to strengthen children’s understanding of number. Practical activities and opportunities to revisit learning help children build secure foundations at a pace that reflects their development.

Our indoor and outdoor environments encourage children to explore, investigate, create and solve problems. Learning draws on their interests, cultures, families and experiences, helping them see themselves reflected in the curriculum while discovering the wider world. Our Catholic ethos underpins these experiences, encouraging kindness, respect, wonder and care for God’s creation.

We recognise that children enter our Early Years with different starting points. Staff use observation and assessment to identify strengths and next steps, adapting provision and offering additional support where needed. Working closely with families, we help every child make meaningful progress and prepare confidently for the transition from Nursery to Reception and from Reception to Year 1.

Years 1–6: The National Curriculum

As pupils move through the school, they experience a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum that builds on their previous learning and promotes depth of understanding, challenge and enjoyment across all subjects. Carefully sequenced teaching develops knowledge, skills and vocabulary, encouraging children to become confident, curious and increasingly independent learners.

Learning reflects the diversity of our children and the wider world, helping pupils feel represented, explore different perspectives and develop respect for others. Rooted in our Catholic ethos, our curriculum nurtures each child’s academic, spiritual, social and personal development. Teaching is adapted to meet individual needs so that every pupil can participate, make meaningful progress and prepare for the next stage of their education.

Our Curriculum Approaches and Programmes

To ensure high-quality teaching and learning, we draw on a number of carefully chosen schemes and partnerships:

Religious Education

• We follow Source to Summit: Lighting the Path syllabus, a comprehensive programme designed to support the teaching of the Religious Education Directory (RED) from Reception to Year 6. Developed by a team of Catholic education experts and practising teachers, the programme provides a clear, engaging, and academically rigorous approach to Religious Education, rooted in Scripture and Church teaching.

• Parents have the right to request that their child be wholly or partially withdrawn from Religious Education lessons. Any parent wishing to discuss this should contact the Headteacher. The school will discuss the request and the arrangements that would be made for the child during these sessions.

English

We develop confident readers, writers and communicators through a rich and engaging English curriculum. Power of Reading places high-quality texts at the heart of learning, encouraging children to explore ideas, discuss characters and develop vocabulary. Read Write Inc. (RWI) provides a structured approach to phonics and early reading, helping children build accuracy, fluency and confidence.

Writing is taught through engaging stimuli and meaningful opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences. Children learn to plan, compose, revise and edit their work, developing their understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar alongside creativity and expression.

Mathematics

We use White Rose Maths to support a carefully sequenced, mastery-based curriculum that develops fluency, reasoning and problem-solving. Practical resources, visual representations and mathematical discussion help children understand concepts deeply and explain their thinking.

We also use Mastering Number from Reception to Year 5 to strengthen number understanding and confidence with key facts. Children are encouraged to recognise patterns, make connections and apply their learning to everyday situations.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

Through Life to the Full, developed by Ten Ten, children explore relationships, health and emotional wellbeing within the context of our Catholic faith. Age-appropriate learning helps pupils recognise their own dignity and the dignity of others, develop healthy friendships and understand how to keep themselves safe. We encourage kindness, respect and thoughtful choices, working in partnership with families.

Computing

We use Purple Mash to support a creative and progressive computing curriculum. Children develop skills in coding, digital literacy and using technology to create, communicate and solve problems. Online safety runs throughout their learning, helping them become responsible users of technology who understand how to protect themselves and seek help.

Music

Our Kapow Music scheme develops children’s musical knowledge, creativity and confidence through listening, singing, composing and performing. Pupils explore music from different cultures, traditions and periods, learning to appreciate a wide range of styles. Opportunities to make music together encourage self-expression, collaboration and enjoyment.

Design & Technology

Through Kapow D&T, children learn to design, make and evaluate products for a range of purposes and users. They develop practical skills, explore materials and learn to use tools safely and appropriately. Tasks encourage creativity, problem-solving and perseverance as pupils test ideas and improve their designs.

Physical Education

We use Get Set for PE to provide a progressive curriculum that develops movement skills, fitness and confidence across a range of physical activities. Children learn the importance of teamwork, fair play and perseverance while discovering the enjoyment and benefits of being active.

Our partnership with STRIVE Sports provides opportunities for pupils to participate in competitions, festivals and wider sporting experiences, helping them develop their skills and represent our school.

Modern Foreign Languages – French

We use Primary Languages Network to support progressive French teaching, developing children’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Songs, games, stories and conversations help pupils build vocabulary and confidence in pronunciation. Learning about French-speaking communities broadens children’s cultural understanding and encourages curiosity about other languages and ways of life.

Beyond the National Curriculum

At St Michael’s, learning extends beyond the classroom. We provide enriching experiences that broaden children’s horizons, nurture their talents and help them grow as curious, resilient and reflective learners.

These opportunities include:

• Our Top 20 Experiences, which give children opportunities to try things they may not have experienced before, such as visiting the beach, eating in a restaurant or going swimming. These experiences build confidence, create lasting memories and deepen children’s understanding of the world.

• After-school clubs that help children explore interests, develop skills, build friendships and discover their talents.

• Theme days and subject weeks that spark curiosity and deepen learning.

• Educational visits and visitors that bring subjects to life and connect learning to the wider world.

• Forest School sessions that encourage exploration, independence, teamwork and care for nature.

• Collective worship and spiritual development that nurture faith, reflection and a loving relationship with God.

• Charity work and community involvement that put Catholic Social Teaching into action, helping children understand how they can make a difference.

• Pupil leadership roles, including School Council, Prayer Leaders, Eco Warriors, Digital Leaders and Sports Leaders, that develop responsibility and give children a voice in school life.

• Creative arts and performance that celebrate individual talents and build confidence, collaboration and self-expression.

We strive to make these experiences inclusive and accessible so that every child can participate, discover new interests and feel a sense of belonging. Through them, we nurture a love of learning, a sense of wonder and the confidence to embrace challenges, both now and in the future.

To support clarity and communication, we share:

• Yearly Overviews – showing long-term planning for each year group.

• Termly Overviews – outlining what your child will be learning each term.

• Subject Overviews – showing how knowledge, skills and vocabulary develop across each subject from EYFS to Year 6.

• Week Ahead – sharing upcoming learning, key vocabulary and reminders for the following week. This gives families opportunities to prepare their child through conversations, shared reading and practising key words, helping them feel confident and ready to learn.

These documents help parents and carers stay engaged, informed and confident in understanding their child’s learning journey.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully planned so that every subject is coherent, progressive and meaningful, reflecting our Catholic ethos and the unique character of our school community.

Please find below St Michael’s Intent, Implementation and Impact (3 I’s) for each subject, outlining how we structure learning to ensure every child flourishes.