Curriculum
The National Curriculum is taught at St. Dominic's Catholic Primary School. Every subject has a curriculum rationale which details the subject, a carefully planned scheme of work and progression grids to ensure that knowlege and skills are built upon.
Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which helps children to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes which fully prepare them for the next stage of their education and later life in modern Britain.
By clicking on the following link you can find out more about the National Curriculum from the Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum
Here at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School we are also passionate and committed to providing the children in our care with outstanding learning opportunities we aim to enrich every child’s school experience regardless of background and create an environment where they are encouraged to succeed and be the best they can be. Our curriculum takes into account cultural capital and through it we prepare children with the knowledge and skills for what comes next. We realise the exploration of new skills and experiences helps to nurture resilience, curiosity and creativity. Ultimately, this leads to the growth of new forms of cultural capital that makes a difference in individual mindsets and shapes the future. Alongside the National Curriculum is our vehicle curriculum where the intent initiatives are to help our children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live. To give them the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed in their lives to enable them to be ‘anything that they want to be!’ This is so important here at St Dominic’s because what children learn in their years with us we strongly believe will stay with them forever. Ofsted March 2019 agree with us and stated that’ teaching and learning is underpinned by positive experiences for all pupils.’
A vehicle does not use a national curriculum subject as its starting point. It is the vehicle to drive learning; we always know the desired destination (ie outcome) prior to starting the vehicle.
Each vehicle focuses on key values, which is assessed as part of the process:
metacognition and self-regulated learning
teamwork
values (including Gospel values and British Values)
managing themselves
managing relationships
contributions to projects
Vehicles replicate life in the 'real world'. This gives context to the national curriculum. Each vehicle:
- uses an outside client wherever possible, to give the vehicle a purpose. For example, an internal newspaper is not as exciting as one that is made and distributed in the local community.
- includes milestones along the way to maintain enthusiasm, particularly for younger pupils.
- draws on expertise from the community, including specialists, outside visitors and out-of-school visits wherever possible and relevant.
- aligns with the teacher's passions and enthusiasms