Our Curriculum

Our Mission and Values

“LOVE JESUS, LOVE OURSELVES, LOVE EACH OTHER, LOVE LEARNING, LOVE LIFE.”

Our mission statement is more than just words — it is the foundation of daily life at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. It reminds us to keep the teachings of Jesus in our thoughts and in our hearts, and to follow His message in all that we say and do.  St Joseph’s is first and foremost a Catholic school. Our Catholic ethos and Gospel values permeate every aspect of school life and learning. Faith is not something we simply talk about; it is something we live out through our actions, relationships and curriculum. We work in close partnership with parents, parish and the wider community to create a safe, happy and nurturing environment where every child — regardless of ability or background — feels valued, confident and inspired.

At St Joseph’s, our school values sit at the heart of everything we do:  Kindness – Respect – Pride – Safety – Teamwork

These values were developed through the voices of our pupils, parents and staff and shape our expectations, culture and learning environment.. They guide our behaviour, relationships and approach to learning, helping our children grow as young people of faith, character and aspiration.

Organisation

St Joseph’s is a one-form entry primary school, with one class in each year group from Reception to Year 6. Each class is led by a class teacher supported by a teaching assistant. Class teachers are responsible for delivering the full curriculum, supported by colleagues with particular expertise in areas such as Spanish, computing, PE, art, music and religious education. Staff professional development is highly valued, ensuring teachers continue to develop their subject knowledge and teaching practice for the benefit of our pupils.

Curriculum Intent

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, our curriculum is designed to provide every child with the opportunity to live life to the full, academically, spiritually and personally. Our curriculum is broad, balanced and ambitious, rooted in the National Curriculum and shaped by the needs of our pupils and community. It is carefully designed to ensure children develop secure knowledge, key skills and a love of learning as they progress through the school. Through our curriculum we aim to:

  • Provide a high-quality, knowledge-rich curriculum that inspires curiosity, creativity and aspiration.
  • Ensure all pupils develop strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics, enabling them to access the full curriculum.
  • Foster communication and language development, alongside the acquisition of high-quality, subject-specific vocabulary.
  • Encourage pupils to become independent, resilient learners who enjoy learning and strive for excellence.
  • Provide rich experiences through visits, visitors and first-hand learning opportunities that broaden pupils’ horizons.
  • Promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through our Catholic ethos and school values.
  • Develop pupils who are confident, compassionate and responsible members of society.

Our curriculum prioritises all subjects, ensuring pupils experience a rich and varied education including STEM, the arts, sport, humanities and technology. We aim for our children to develop high aspirations and ambition for their future, understanding their place in the world and recognising how they can make a positive contribution to their community.

 

Curriculum Implementation

At St Joseph’s, our curriculum is carefully planned and delivered to ensure that all pupils can succeed.  Teachers deliver an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge and skills progressively over time. Learning is designed to connect with prior knowledge so that pupils can deepen their understanding and apply what they have learned.

A variety of teaching approaches are used to support learning, including:

  • Whole class teaching
  • Collaborative group work
  • Targeted small group support
  • Individual learning opportunities

Teachers adapt their teaching to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring that every child is supported and challenged appropriately. Assessment is an integral part of learning at St Joseph’s. We use Assessment for Learning strategies, including teacher assessment, peer assessment and self-assessment, to identify strengths, address misconceptions and support progress.

Reading and Early Language

Reading lies at the heart of our curriculum. We place great importance on ensuring that all children develop a love of reading and become fluent, confident readers. Communication and language development are prioritised across the school to support learning in every subject.To support early reading, we use the Supersonic Phonic Friends programme. This is a fully systematic synthetic phonics approach that teaches children the alphabetic code progressively, from simple to more complex patterns. Key features of our phonics approach include:

  • Daily phonics teaching for approximately 30 minutes
  • Teaching tailored to each child’s stage of development
  • High levels of engagement through interactive and physical learning activities
  • Consistent delivery across the school by fully trained staff

Most pupils complete the phonics programme by the end of Year 2, allowing them to move on to the National Curriculum spelling programme. Where children need further support, additional phonics interventions continue throughout Key Stage 2 to ensure that no child is left behind.

Enrichment and Experiences

We believe that learning should be meaningful, engaging and memorable. Our curriculum is enhanced through:

  • Educational visits and residential opportunities
  • Visitors and workshops from experts and professionals
  • Sporting events and extra-curricular clubs
  • Artistic and musical performances and experiences
  • Opportunities to explore local history and geography

These experiences enrich learning and help pupils make connections between their education and the wider world.

Curriculum Impact

The impact of our curriculum is reflected in the knowledge, skills and character that our pupils develop during their time at St Joseph’s. Children leave our school as:

  • Confident and capable learners with strong foundations in reading, writing and mathematics
  • Curious and reflective thinkers who enjoy learning and ask questions about the world around them
  • Resilient and independent individuals who approach challenges with determination
  • Compassionate and respectful members of society, guided by Gospel values
  • Aspirational young people who believe in their ability to achieve and make a positive difference

Our pupils demonstrate pride in their work and their school, respect for others and a strong sense of belonging within our community. Through a curriculum enriched by faith, knowledge, creativity and opportunity, our children develop the skills, understanding and values they need to succeed in the next stage of their education and beyond — truly living life to the full.