At Sacred Heart, we are committed to delivering a creative, engaging and ambitious curriculum that ensures clear progression and full coverage of key knowledge and skills. At its core are the academic, personal, spiritual and vocational skills that prepare children for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

Rooted in our Catholic ethos, we encourage every child to live the Gospel values, aim high, think big and love life. We believe that every subject is sacred and plays an important role in developing the whole child. Through a focus on creativity, enterprise and diversity, we seek to nurture pupils’ spiritual, academic, social and emotional growth.

We are ambitious for our children, our school and our community. Our aim is to develop compassionate, resilient and accepting individuals who will make a positive contribution to society.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich, enabling children to develop a strong vocabulary, deepen their understanding of the world and achieve mastery in their learning. We place a strong emphasis on long-term retention, recognising that progress is demonstrated through knowing more and remembering more. Through regular retrieval, purposeful practice and the use of knowledge organisers, children build secure foundations that support future learning. By making learning clear, memorable and meaningful, we ensure that all pupils are equipped for success both now and in the future.

Rigour

• Exceeds National Curriculum expectations.
• Promotes deep thinking, oracy and critical reasoning.
• Provides challenge for all learners.
• Supports and stretches higher attainers to excel.
• Encourages pupils to go above and beyond in their learning.

Creativity

• Creative, engaging and personalised curriculum.
• Tailored to pupils’ needs, interests and strengths.
• Supports a variety of learning and teaching styles.
• Enriched through a wide range of experiences and opportunities.

Diversity

• Inclusive and accessible for all pupils.
• Reflects and celebrates the diversity of our community.
• Develops understanding of different cultures and global issues.
• Responsive to the changing needs of pupils.
• Ensures every child feels valued, represented and supported.

Enterprise

• Develops enterprise, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Encourages pupils to create, model and evaluate business ideas.
• Promotes digital literacy and responsible use of technology.
• Provides opportunities for charitable fundraising and community engagement.
• Enables Year 6 pupils to lead a mini-enterprise project in Term 3.

Skills

• Based on the National Curriculum.
• Skills are carefully sequenced across year groups to ensure clear progression.
• Developed and refined by subject leaders and specialists.
• Greater Depth objectives provide challenge for higher-attaining pupils.
• Scaffolding supports all pupils to access key learning.
• Home projects develop independence and research skills.

Topics

• Skills can be taught through a range of topics, providing flexibility.
• Core texts support and enhance learning.

Monitoring and Assessment

• Coverage monitored through book looks, pupil voice and learning walks.
• Progress reviewed in termly Pupil Progress Meetings.
• Assessment identifies pupils needing support and informs next steps.
• Interventions are time-bound and impact is measured.

Above and Beyond

• Every teacher is a leader.
• Opportunities for High Attaining Pupils (HAPs) in every subject.
• Subject leaders champion and drive their curriculum areas.
• Big Questions promote deeper thinking and enquiry.
• Sacred Heart CVA Catholic Virtues are embedded throughout the curriculum.

• A clear and coherent curriculum that builds knowledge and skills progressively.
• Focused learning intentions ensure every lesson has a clear purpose.
• Pupils are given ownership of aspects of their learning, promoting engagement and motivation.
• Flexible topics encourage pupils to pursue their interests beyond the classroom.
• A strong emphasis on developing transferable skills that support lifelong learning.
• Clear assessment procedures enable teachers to identify and respond to individual pupil needs.
• Every subject is valued and celebrated as an important part of a broad and balanced education.