At Our Lady and St Paul’s, we provide a broad and balanced curriculum guided by our Mission Statement: ‘Love, Learn, and Live as friends of Jesus Christ.’ The values of our Christian ethos are central to everything we do, promoting a strong sense of belonging within a caring and inclusive community. We aim to help our children develop a sense of self-worth while encouraging respect for the differences of others.

Our curriculum is designed to nurture independent, confident, and successful learners who are well-prepared for life in modern society. We aim to give pupils a clear understanding of the many possibilities and opportunities available to them. Our goal is for each pupil to leave with a lifelong love of learning, a deep understanding of the world, and the skills they need to face future challenges as positive contributors to society.

We believe in providing a curriculum that is both challenging and engaging, tailored to meet the needs and interests of our children. This approach encourages curiosity, determination, motivation, resourcefulness, and resilience. The curriculum is carefully structured to build confidence, both in working independently and as part of a team.

Through an emphasis on learning by doing, we support the development of language and vocabulary skills. We also make use of the rich historical and cultural heritage of our local area, integrating it into our curriculum to deepen the children’s understanding and knowledge.

Our children benefit from a variety of learning experiences, including educational visits, input from visiting partners and specialists, and a range of enrichment opportunities. These experiences help children gain first-hand knowledge and foster creativity, bringing learning to life in new and exciting ways. For example, older pupils have the opportunity to take part in a residential visit to broaden their learning experiences.

The National Curriculum is taught through a combination of individual subjects and creative, topic-based planning for foundation subjects. High expectations are set for all children, with lessons designed to ensure there are no barriers to achieving success. Progress is regularly assessed against clearly defined milestones to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

Subject leaders play an important role in overseeing the curriculum. They ensure each subject is well-planned, covers all aspects of the national curriculum, and shows progression in knowledge, skills, and understanding across the year groups.