But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that each and every child is nurtured and inspired through knowledge and faith and can live ‘Life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). Our curriculum is delivered through stimulating lessons and experiences rooted in our Christian Values. It is bespoke to the needs of our pupils here at All Saints Benhilton, not only by focusing on appropriate subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum, but by modelling the virtues given to us by Christ and by developing individual and collaborative learning experiences, a positive growth mindset, a sense of responsibility, and 21st Century skills that will take our children beyond the classroom and prepare them for their future lives.
Ultimately our curriculum intends to:
Develop our head and body: Through knowledge
Develop our heart and character: Through faith
Develop our actions and attitudes: Through knowledge and faith
Develop our moral compass: Through knowledge, faith and love.
General Educational Aims
- To help pupils to develop lively, independent, enquiring minds, and the ability to question and argue rationally and to apply themselves to tasks and physical skills.
- To help pupils to acquire knowledge and skills relevant to adult life in a fast-changing world.
- To help pupils use language. mathematical and scientific skills effectively
- To foster respect for religious and moral values, and the rights and roles of individuals, irrespective of their sex, colour, race or ethnic origin, or disability.
- To help pupils to understand the world in which we live, and the inter-dependence of individuals, groups and nations.
- To help pupils to appreciate human achievements and aspirations.
- To help pupils to develop both self respect and respect for others, to enable them to be active participants in society and responsible contributors to it.
Our curriculum covers all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum, with our Religious Education Curriculum following the guidelines set by the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education. In Key Stage 2, children also learn to speak Spanish.
Curriculum Implementation
We believe that curriculum implementation cannot take place without our learners as the central figures in our curriculum implementation process. They will experience a broad and balanced, project-based curriculum which progressively builds on skills, knowledge and conceptual understanding year on year. Clear strategic planning allows the curriculum to be dynamic and adapt to the context of the school and all children’s needs. Age related expectations combine the acquisition of knowledge and development of skills to create a purposeful and exciting learning journey for every child. We believe that our curriculum gives children real opportunities to develop key social skills, to understand the difference between right and wrong, to explore their own spirituality, show respect, celebrate difference and diversity and understand the values that underpin a democratic society. Our curriculum implementation recognises the importance of developing children who are resilient, innovative and intellectually curious and underpins all learning with Christian Values that will empower our pupils to support others and implement change on a local and global level.
Children are taught in class groups and sometimes in smaller groups when support is required for particular skills or concepts. Classes throughout the school are taught using both subject and topic approaches. Termly projects are set to ensure that the appropriate programmes of study and objectives are covered. Although aspects of English, Mathematics and Science are included in project work, there is considerable emphasis on the teaching of these core subjects as discrete elements of our curriculum. Click here to see our full Curriculum Provision.
Aims of the School Curriculum
- To help pupils to read fluently and accurately with understanding, feeling and discrimination. To encourage children to use books for pleasure and to turn to books willingly to seek for information.
- To help pupils to develop a legible style of handwriting and satisfactory standards of spelling, syntax, punctuation and usage.
- To help pupils to communicate clearly and confidently in speech and writing in ways appropriate for various occasions and purposes.
- To help pupils to listen attentively and with understanding.
- To help pupils to learn how to acquire information from various sources, and to record information and findings in various ways.
- To help pupils to apply computational skills with speed and accuracy.
- To help pupils to understand the applications of mathematical ideas in various situations in the home, classroom, school and local area.
- To help pupils observe living and inanimate things and to recognise characteristics such as pattern and order.
- To help pupils master basic scientific ideas.
- To help pupils to investigate solutions and interpret evidence, to analyse and to solve problems.
- To help pupils be aware of the geographical, historical and social aspects of the local environment and the national heritage, and to be aware of other times and places.
- To help pupils to acquire sufficient control of self and tools, equipment and instruments; to be able to use music, drama and other forms of arts and crafts as a means of expression.
- To help pupil to develop agility and physical co-ordination, competence in and through physical activity, together with the ability to express feelings through movement.
- To help pupils gain the skills necessary to use and understand the demands of Information Technology in a changing world.
- To help pupils develop the skills to listen to and communicate with each other, so as to understand the importance of mutual respect and understanding.
Curriculum Impact
We use rigorous monitoring throughout the year to gauge the impact of our curriculum. Alongside senior leadership and middle leadership, subject leaders monitor individual subjects: reviewing learning, evaluating pupil voice, providing individual feedback to move practice forward, celebrating positives and highlighting areas of development. Our whole school team strengthens our ethos and vision as we work together to reflect upon our curriculum and share outcomes to drive forward next steps. Learning and progress is measured through careful analysis of the application of skills across the curriculum; showing how acquisition of knowledge is enhanced by expectations to evidence quality thinking and demonstrate individual understanding. Class teachers and curriculum teams conduct performance analysis linked to this monitoring so as to measure performance against individual and school targets, which are reviewed regularly.
Governors monitor coverage of National Curriculum subjects and compliance with other statutory requirements through Governor Curriculum pairs (acting as critical friend to subject leaders) and termly subject scrutiny in the Curriculum committee.
Extra Curricular Activities
A wide range of clubs and activities is on offer and currently we run:
- Badminton
- Book Club
- Chess
- Choir
- Coding
- Football
- Multi-Skills
- Netball
- Peer Mediation
- Swingdyhop Dance
- Trading cards & Board Games
- Yoga & Mindfulness
Tutors from the Sutton Music Service also offer tuition for Stringed instruments, drums, guitar, keyboard, woodwind and piano.
