St Michael's Junior Church School
Curriculum statement
Intent
We want our pupils to be:
Ready for life now and in the future.
We work with our community and church to ensure our children are spiritually, emotionally and educationally equipped for life now and in the future.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Big ideas
Humankind
Understanding what it means to be human and how human behaviour has shaped the world.Processes
Understanding the many dynamic and physical processes that shape the world.Creativity
Understanding the creative process and how everyday and exceptional creativity can shape the world.Investigation
Understanding the importance of investigation and how this has led to significant change in the world.Materials
Understanding the properties of all matter, living and non-living.Nature
Understanding the complexities of the plant and animal species that inhabit the world.Place and space
Understanding the visual, cultural, social, and environmental aspects of places around the world.Comparison
Understanding how and why things are the same or different.Significance
Understanding why significant people, places, events and inventions matter and how they have shaped the world.Change
Understanding why and how things have changed over time.Mission statement
Like the River Avon that flows with life through Twerton, we long to see a ‘River of Life’ transforming our school, church and local community.
At St Michael’s we are proud to be part of the family of St Michael’s Church and of our Christian ethos and distinctiveness. ‘Choosing life – Life in all its fullness ‘, underpins all that we do here at school. Through our weekly timetable all our children have access to a curriculum that helps them grow in Wisdom, Hope, Dignity. We believe that God will help each child to have fun and enjoy life to the full here at school, and that lives will be changed which will flow out into our community to help bring about hope and transformation.
Our curriculum needs to prepare our children for a successful transition to secondary school, allowing them to achieve highly because they are empowered to do so. Our curriculum must allow pupils to achieve better outcomes by providing them with the experiences, skills and knowledge they need to succeed. We have ambition and high aspirations of what we want our children to achieve.
General principlesOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • experience the challenge and enjoyment of learning |
| • understand the purpose and value of their learning and see its relevance to their past, present and future |
| • develop and demonstrate their creativity |
| • develop new skills through a variety of interesting contexts |
| • learn within a coherent and progressive framework |
| • see clear links between different aspects of their learning |
| • develop a rich and deep subject knowledge |
| • explore the breadth and depth of the national curriculum |
Purpose
The BWMAT ambition for every child is that they experience life in all its fullness. In order to achieve this, every child in the Trust is entitled to access a high quality and relevant curriculum, rich with knowledge and underpinned by key skills that will ensure they are well prepared for all aspects of life and will enable them to become the best version of themselves. The curriculum is the structure that ensures children learn well, provides them with life enhancing and life changing experiences, that builds their character, instills in them a passion for lifelong learning, enables them to choose their paths and understand their vital role as a citizen in this ever-changing world.
SMSC/FBVOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • Spiritual - Explore beliefs, experience and faiths, feelings and values; enjoy learning about oneself, others and the surrounding world; use imagination and creativity and reflect on experiences |
| • Moral - Recognise right and wrong and respect the law; understand consequences; investigate moral and ethical issues and offer reasoned views |
| • Social - Use a range of social skills to participate in the local community and beyond; appreciate diverse viewpoints; participate, volunteer and cooperate; resolve conflict |
| • Cultural - Appreciate cultural influences; appreciate the role of Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in culture opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity |
| • Tolerance and respect - To respect and tolerate the opinions or behaviour of others |
| • Individual liberty - Be free to express views or ideas |
| • Rule of law - Learn that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable for their actions and behaviour |
| • Democracy - Be part of a system where everyone plays an equal part |
Purpose
These principles are important to St Michael's as they provide opportunities for pupils to understand and develop our Christian values of Wisdom, Forgiveness, Thankfulness, Compassion, Friendship and Trust.
Well-beingOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • learn how to respect themselves and others |
| • recognise that people are good at different things |
| • develop self-esteem and confidence in their abilities |
| • reflect and think mindfully about their learning |
| • learn how to self-regulate and accept support to co-regulate |
Purpose
As a BWMAT school, we want this curriculum to enable pupils to articulate their hopes and aspirations for the future. It will recognise, celebrate and welcome each pupil as an individual in order that they can be the best version of themselves.
Pupil voiceOur curriculum will give children the opportunity to: |
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| • say what they like and dislike about their learning |
| • take part in age-appropriate discussions |
| • make a positive contribution to the school and local community |
| • explore ways of becoming an active citizen |
| • take part in democratic activities across the curriculum |
| • make choices about things that are important to them |
| • express their opinions on a range of different topics and issues |
Purpose
As a BWMAT school, the curriculum will be flexible and respond to pupils' feedback.
PedagogyOur curriculum will be taught through a pedagogy that: |
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| • offers all children a memorable experience at the start of every topic |
| • excites, promotes and sustains children’s interest |
| • enables and fosters children’s natural curiosity |
| • promotes problem solving, creativity and communication |
| • enables children to reflect on and evaluate their learning |
Purpose
As a BWMAT school this curriculum will provide experiences and connections to the world beyond the school in both time and place.
EnrichmentWe will enrich our curriculum by: |
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| • providing on and off-site subject or topic related activities |
| • offering opportunities for children to learn outdoors |
| • using quality resources in and out of the classroom |
| • welcoming parents and carers to take part in children’s learning and experiences |
| • developing partnerships with external providers that extend children’s opportunities for learning |
Purpose
This is a driving force in the St Michael's curriculum. We will ensure the pupils experience equality of opportunity and diminish social disadvantage.