Curriculum Vision

At St Gabriel's RC Primary School we ensure that all pupils are exposed to a broad and balanced curriculum where educational excellence is developed. We have designed our curriculum to suit the diverse needs of our pupils and also ensured that we follow the statutory National Curriculum. The topics are designed to engage and inspire the pupils and encourage cross-curricular learning.  We offer high quality, inclusive teaching and learning working closely with the community to raise aspirations, expectations and achievements for all. 

In addition to this we aim to develop the ‘whole child’. We firmly believe that the teaching of life skills is a fundamental part of education and is an essential part of preparing our pupils for the future. Also embedded into our curriculum are the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, with Religion at the heart of our curriculum and ethos.

Curriculum Breadth and Balance

School Mission - In God’s Love:

We Welcome, We Learn, We Grow, TOGETHER.

At St. Gabriel’s, we have developed a curriculum offer that encompasses this mission. We strive to provide learning experiences across the school that are fun, engaging and purposeful. Our curriculum has been carefully planned to ensure breadth, balance and progression and is part of our endeavour towards greater excellence, providing a framework for each child to be challenged to reach their full potential.

We Welcome:

Our Curriculum is diverse and embracing, recognising and including children and families from all religions, races and cultures.  All our children are represented through themes, texts and topics across the breadth of the curriculum. We are a welcoming school which is proud of the quality first teaching and inclusive provision we bestow all our children.

We Learn:

Our curriculum is designed to provide pupils with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and experiences that are essential for personal and academic growth. Through a diverse range of subjects and activities, we aim to promote intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.  Our curriculum is flexible and adaptable, enabling pupils to explore their interests and strengths while also developing key competencies such as independence, collaboration, and problem-solving which is underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching.

We Grow:

We strive to develop the holistic child.   We believe that a broad and balanced education goes beyond academic achievement and encompasses social, emotional, moral, cultural development as well as mental and physical well-being. We seek to evolve well-rounded and socially responsible children. 

Through a variety of experiences and opportunities, we aim to foster the growth of resilient, self-aware, and empathetic individuals who are equipped to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world. Our curriculum provides pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make informed decisions, engage with their communities, and contribute to a more just and sustainable society. We believe that a broad and balanced curriculum prepares pupils for success in higher education, careers, and life beyond the classroom. 

Teaching for Mastery

At St. Gabriel’s RC Primary School, we are committed to providing a high-quality education that equips our students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. As part of this commitment, we embrace the philosophy of teaching for mastery across all curriculum areas. Our curriculum statement outlines our approach to teaching for mastery and how it shapes our learning and teaching practices throughout the school.

Teaching for mastery is an evidence-based approach that promotes deep understanding, procedural fluency, and problem-solving skills in all curriculum areas. It emphasises the importance of pupils developing a secure foundation of knowledge and skills before moving on to more complex concepts. Mastery learning is underpinned by the belief that all students can achieve high standards and aims to ensure that no student is left behind.

INTENT

Depth Before Breadth: We prioritise depth of understanding over superficial coverage of content. We encourage students to explore concepts in depth, make connections between different topics, and develop a secure understanding of fundamental principles before moving on to new material.

Building Fluency: We emphasise the development of procedural fluency, ensuring that students can apply their knowledge and skills confidently and accurately. We provide ample opportunities for practice, repetition, and consolidation to ensure that learning becomes automatic and transferable.

Reasoning and Problem-Solving: We foster children’s ability to think critically, reason logically, and solve problems effectively. Our curriculum provides rich and varied opportunities for students to engage with challenging tasks, apply their knowledge in authentic contexts, and develop their problem-solving skills.

Formative Assessment: We employ ongoing formative assessment practices to continuously monitor pupils’ progress and identify any misconceptions or gaps in understanding. This enables us to provide timely and targeted interventions, personalised support, and additional challenges for individual children.

Differentiation and Personalisation: We recognise that every pupil is unique and has different learning needs. We differentiate our instruction and provide personalised learning opportunities to ensure that all children can access and make progress within the curriculum.

Collaborative Learning: We promote collaborative learning experiences that encourage children to work together, communicate their ideas, and learn from each other. Collaborative tasks facilitate deeper understanding, enhance communication skills, and foster a positive classroom culture.

IMPLEMENTATION

Curriculum Design: Our curriculum is carefully designed to ensure coherence, progression, and alignment across all curriculum areas. We identify the key concepts, skills, and knowledge that students need to master and organise them in a logical sequence.

Lesson Design and Delivery: Our lessons are structured to provide a balance between teacher-led instruction, guided practice, and independent learning. We employ a variety of teaching strategies, including modelling, questioning, and scaffolding, to support pupils' learning and promote mastery.

Resources and Support: We provide teachers with high-quality resources, materials, and professional development opportunities to support the implementation of teaching for mastery. Professional collaboration is encouraged through the school in the Federation to share best practices and refine learning and teaching approaches.

Assessment and Feedback: We utilise a range of formative and summative assessment strategies to evaluate pupils' progress and understanding. Feedback is given regularly, focusing on specific learning objectives, and provides guidance for improvement and further development.

Teaching for mastery is at the heart of our curriculum across all areas of study. By embracing this approach, we aim to nurture confident, resilient and life-long learners.

Click on the links below to view all about the rich and varied curriculum we deliver to our children.

Our Curriculum complies with the Equality Act 2010 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 which ensures it is also accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities and provision is tailored to each child's needs and reasonable adjustments.

Links to Rochdale's Local Offer the School Offer can be found below:

Please see class pages for useful websites that will aid your child's learning.

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum at St Gabriel's please contact the school directly.