Curriculum Statement 2023/24

If you require more information about our curriculum at St John Vianney Catholic Primary School, please contact the school office on 01744 678570 or stjohnvianney@sthelens.org.uk.

Our Curriculum

Through a broad and balanced curriculum, we intend to ensure all our children are given the knowledge, skills and experiences which will allow them to engage fully in society and flourish in the paths they choose to take as they grow and learn. Every child is recognised as a unique individual made in the image and likeness of God. As such, our curriculum is designed in response to the needs of each child, with a clear understanding of the diversity of the community we serve.

Through our well thought out sequences of learning, our aim is for pupils to:

  • Know how to keep themselves healthy and safe in our world
  • Know their roles and responsibilities in today’s society, not only locally, but nationally and as a citizen in our world, understanding how they can contribute to and be a valued member of their community
  • Have the knowledge and understanding of their place in a growing and changing world
  • Communicate effectively and confidently through speech and language, writing and self-expression
  • Be able to express themselves freely and use the knowledge and skills that we share with them to fully explore their interests and passions
  • Use their developing knowledge, skills and vocabulary to ultimately become confident, independent learners, able to think critically and use their growing understanding to shape their own learning in the future

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the Foundation Stage, a variety of structured play and practical activities are planned to help children develop in the following three prime areas of learning:

  1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  2. Communication and Language
  3. Physical Development

We also plan and teach activities for the four specific areas of the EYFS curriculum:

4. Literacy

5. Maths

6. Understanding the World

7. Expressive Arts and Design

The framework can be found here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974907/EYFS_framework_-_March_2021.pdf

We teach this framework through topics that excite the children; we gather their ideas through mind-mapping and plan according to their needs and interests.

Key Stage 1 and 2

At Key Stage 1 and 2, children have a daily English and Mathematics lesson.

As a school, we recognise the importance of reading for all children and therefore, have a comprehensive and thorough approach to the teaching of reading across the school including, daily phonics lessons in KS1.  School follows the Read Write Inc scheme of work for phonics.  Writing is taught through a topic-based approach, as much as possible, in order to provide purpose and audience for the children. Grammatical accuracy is embedded in the teaching of writing but also as a discrete element of the English curriculum.

The new Mathematics curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils become fluent in the fundamental of Mathematics including the ability to recall and apply knowledge rapidly and accurately.  Children at St John Vianney Catholic Primary are taught to reason mathematically, solve problems and apply their mathematical skills in a variety of real life contexts.

In addition to English and Mathematics, children are taught to develop their skills, understanding and creativity in Science, Computing, History, Geography, Design Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education and Religious Education (which is based on the locally agreed syllabus).  Additionally, Spanish is taught from Year 3 onwards. Flute and Clarinet tuition is also available for children in who demonstrate a musical ability.

PSHCE (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) forms an integral part of the curriculum at St John Vianney Catholic  Primary.  It helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens, whilst promoting British values.  All members of staff are committed to encouraging in the children a knowledge of right and wrong and to take responsibility for their own behaviour. We follow the Jigsaw scheme to support this area of the curriculum.

Children are taught about the community in which they live and are encouraged to work in co-operation with other members of the school community.  Supporting charities, both local and further afield, is encouraged.  All children are expected to undertake appropriate responsibilities within the class and school, e.g. caring for the classroom environment, participating in class assemblies and participating in out of school activities.

We aim to develop children’s enjoyment, confidence and skill in physical activity and introduce them to the pleasures of sport to help develop active children who benefit from a healthy lifestyle.  Through a multi-skills approach, children develop their skills in football, netball, hockey, rounders and badminton, as well as athletics, gymnastics, dance and swimming.

We enhance and enrich the curriculum through a variety of activities including educational visits, school performances, visitors to school, after school clubs and links with other schools.

St John Vianney Catholic Primary’s curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of all our children.  Many topics are brought together, where possible, and taught in a cross-curricular way, to maximise the use of time but also to make experiences more meaningful and provide children with a real context for learning.  The purchase of new computing equipment and software also means ICT is an integral part of many teaching and learning experiences. 

Assemblies

We build in opportunities to promote the spiritual, moral and cultural development of all our pupils, especially through our daily acts of Collective Worship and our Religious Education scheme or work, Come and See.  Children are encouraged to develop their own beliefs. Throughout our assemblies, we deliver our Jigsaw scheme of work as well as assemblies that promote British Values, a healthy lifestyle, staying safe, being good citizens, etc.

Homework

Home learning is used to extend school learning and also encourages children as they get older to develop the confidence and self-discipline needed to study on their own.  It provides opportunities for parents and pupils to work together and to enjoy learning experiences.

Extra-curricular clubs

We are very proud of the wide range of extra-curricular clubs we are able to offer at St John Vianney Catholic Primary. These are run after school and at breakfast times and are all well attended. Most clubs are run by our dedicated teachers and teaching assistants but we also have some clubs run by external coaches, for which there is sometimes a small fee.

Clubs which have been available in the last year have included:

choir, judo, cookery, football, netball , multi-ball skills, gymnastics, maths, archery, music club and rugby.

Home-school links

We firmly believe that the education of the children is a partnership between children, staff and parents. Support from home is vital in maximising children’s chances of fulfilling their potential.  In order to facilitate this partnership, we offer an open-door policy where parents are welcome to visit school to discuss their children’s progress with staff at a mutually convenient time.  Each class has two parents’ meetings per year and reports are sent home at the end of the summer term.

St. John Vianney Catholic Primary School, Elton Head Road, Sutton Heath, St. Helens, WA9 5BT