Curriculum

At St Thomas More, our curriculum is designed to enable every child to flourish academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background, starting point or need, can access a broad, ambitious and inclusive curriculum.

Our curriculum is built around three key principles:

• High expectations for every child.
• Inclusion through adaptation, not limitation.
• Secure learning through consistency and strong teaching.

We want our pupils to leave St Thomas More with the knowledge, skills, character and confidence needed for the next stage of their education and for life beyond school.

Our curriculum is shaped by the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the National Curriculum. Subject leaders have carefully identified the knowledge, concepts and vocabulary that pupils need to learn and revisit over time, enabling them to build understanding progressively throughout their primary education.

We recognise that pupils learn best when teaching is clear, consistent and responsive. Through our Adaptive Planning Layer (APL), teachers consider the needs of all learners before teaching takes place. This ensures that lessons are appropriately scaffolded, misconceptions are anticipated and pupils are supported and challenged to achieve success within the same ambitious curriculum.

Our curriculum is underpinned by evidence-informed approaches to learning. We understand that learning takes time and that pupils need opportunities to revisit and apply knowledge in different contexts. Teachers use retrieval practice, modelling, guided practice, questioning and regular feedback to strengthen understanding and support long-term retention.

Alongside academic achievement, we place great importance on personal development. Through our Catholic ethos, Gospel values and wider curriculum opportunities, pupils learn about dignity, responsibility, compassion and service. We aim to develop children who are respectful, resilient and reflective, and who understand their role within both their local community and the wider world.

We believe that strong routines, positive relationships and clear expectations create the conditions in which all pupils can thrive. Our curriculum is therefore supported by consistent approaches to behaviour, learning habits and classroom practice across the school.

The impact of our curriculum is seen in pupils who are engaged in learning, who know and remember more over time, and who are increasingly able to apply their knowledge and skills with confidence and independence. We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum through assessment, pupil voice, monitoring and review to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of all learners.