Curriculum
At St. James' we have an exciting and engaging curriculum, details of our curriculum can be found within this page.
Our broad themes are decided by staff and pupils and whilst answering the requirements of the National Curriculum, this is by no means the totality of our curriculum.
Intent
Our curriculum offer encompasses our school vision as follows;
Embracing Christian values of kindness, love and joy, from our beautiful location on the Malvern Hills, we nurture our children as unique individuals, celebrating their talents, gifts and differences. Through a wide and creative curriculum, we encourage them to grow academically, emotionally and spiritually, and so enabling all our children to flourish in life.
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world…. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!” Matthew 5: 14, 16 in the Message
As a church school, this vision alongside our school values lies in the heart of all that we do here at St James’.
We aspire for each and every child to leave us at the end of the school day or at the end of their Primary journey being confident, happy learners who are curious, kind and positive citizens with a passion to learn more. We want our learners to be fully equipped for the next stages of their education be that going into the next year group or leaving us for High School.
We achieve this through an exciting curriculum which offers all our children the opportunity to excel in something.
We follow the statutory National Curriculum requirements for all subject areas to ensure progression in learning knowledge and skills. In EYFS children follow the requirements of the foundation stage curriculum. Our whole school curriculum is designed around a key text through which sequences of learning are created. We recognise children’s prior achievements and provide first hand learning experiences.
How do we implement our curriculum every day?
Our children receive a well-balanced broad curriculum entitlement. There is a strong emphasis upon the skills and knowledge requirements of English, Maths and RE which give access to all other areas of learning. Our children benefit from a wide range of extra-curricular activities too.
We believe that there are aspects such as independence, collaboration, responsibility and self-confidence which are also essential to develop the whole child. At St James’ we use a ‘Growth Mindset’ approach to foster such skills.
Our curriculum ensures the following:
- Trips and visits
- Visitors and workshops
- Texts that show case themes
- Memorable learning
- Questions to research
- Celebrations of learning
We pride ourselves on enabling our children to form close relationships with all children across the whole school. We facilitate opportunities to work with cross year groups, siblings with siblings, and take part in a variety of learning such as; cooking, yoga, drama, crafts, outdoor learning, sports.
If you would like to know more about our curriculum, please speak to your child’s class teacher in the first instance. Thematic information leaflets are posted on each class page and highlight the learning for each term.
If you would like further information regarding the curriculum taught at St. James', the 'Learning and Teaching Policy' is available from the School Office. More specific information about what is being taught in each class during each term is also available from your child's class teacher and on the class pages - we hope you find this useful.