Curriculum Review 2018/19

When a child leaves Cheadle Catholic Junior School at 11 years old, we ask ourselves what has their experience been, have they enjoyed school-life and their learning, and how have we impacted on each individual’s life?

Have we prepared the children academically, socially, morally, and spiritually for the next step of their journey? Have we fed their curiosity in order for them to become life-long learners? More importantly, have we set them on the right path, forward in faith, following in the footsteps of Jesus?

As a school community inclusive of pupils, parents, staff and leaders, we reflected on the above questions with the intention of creating an authentic curriculum that is personal to the unique needs of the children in our school, whilst also being in line with national expectations. We  decided that having key threads running through our topics as a backbone to how and what we teach was essential. These would ‘drive’ learning forwards and become the ‘drivers’ for Cheadle Catholic’s curriculum.

Here are the curriculum drivers which summarise the intent of our curriculum.

Ofsted 2015 – rating Outstanding

‘Pupils experience a creative curriculum in which topics promote their developing individual interests. Trips and visitors to the school bring learning to life. Each year, many Key Stage 2 pupils experience the thrill of performing as part of a schools’ choir at the MEN Arena in Manchester.’

PSHE Education

The children follow a curriculum which will help them with their spiritual, moral and social development. It aims to help prepare them for adult life. Sex education is part of this curriculum area. It is taught within the context of relationships, family values, warmth, trust and security. The themes of self-respect and respect for others, together with religious, moral, science, health education and life skills provide the foundation. This foundation starts early as part of the whole school curriculum.

Our work is based on a programme called ‘In the Beginning’, which has been prepared for use in Catholic Primary Schools. This programme has been presented to the Governors and parents for consultation, and is subject to annual review. Parents can request that their child does not take part in these sessions.

Our children are also members of Nurture Groups, these are groups of approximately 12 children from across the school (mixed ages) who meet with a dedicated adult once per term. Discussions take place including keeping safe at home and in school, bullying, as well as celebrating school life.

Our ‘SPAM’ (Special projects and Messages) consists of adults and children from across the school. They meet twice termly to plan a PSHE curriculum for the whole school. The resulting work produced by classes is shared in a half term assembly. Topics include road safety, E-Safety, anti-bullying and electrical safety. We also have an anti-bullying squad in school to support the work of the SPAM team.

Modern Languages

French is taught as part of the curriculum throughout the school with the increase in focus in Key Stage 2.

For more detailed information regarding our curriculum, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Fender at school.