Curriculum Structure
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, when it grows it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds come and perch in its branches” Matthew 13
statement of Intent
The curriculum is designed to support and challenge pupils to develop emotionally, academically and spiritually, centred around our Christian Ethos of growth and underpinned by our four values of Service, Excellence, Respect and Faith. It is designed to be engaging and ambitious and to meet the needs of all pupils, allowing them to develop their interests and aspirations. It cumulatively builds knowledge, understanding and skills and prepares them well for future learning and employment. The development of reading skills, mathematical skills and digital education are central to learning.
Implementation
- Time is allocated to enable learning in the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science as well as allocating time to foundation subjects to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. RE is allocated appropriate time to reflect the Christian character of our school and to enable the teaching of our Christian ethos and values and is viewed as a core subject in this school.
- Pupils in year 8 experience one lesson a week as an option subject, to enable them to develop their personal interest in a curriculum area of their choosing.
- Reading skills underpin learning in all subjects and every student also benefits from a structured reading programme centred on our school library (one lesson each week for all students).
- There is an emphasis on building confidence and competence in Maths.
- Teachers plan lessons that recognise prior learning, embed new content and build on key skills. There is an emphasis on subject specialist teaching and resourcing that is appropriate to a middle school environment.
- All curriculum areas have designed and published a pathway to ensure that the implementation of their subject reflects the whole school curriculum intent.
- Assessment is valuable in checking learners’ understanding and in providing clear feedback on progress made with pupils and parents. Pupils are encouraged and supported to learn from their mistakes.
- Teachers are supported to review the relevance and appropriateness of their curriculum areas on a regular basis. They are provided with training to develop their skills and understanding, including in the use of digital learning and when they are teaching out of their specialist area. They are given time to ensure that programmes of study offer challenge and progression across the four years at St. Edward’s Royal Free and to liaise with First and Upper Schools to ensure that the curriculum is coherent in a three tier system.
- A wide range of trips, clubs and enrichment opportunities complement classroom learning.
Impact
- Our curriculum at St. Edward’s Royal Free is broad and progressive; children acquire knowledge and skills to help prepare them for the next stage of their education and for their future adult life.
- Their learning about personal relationships, health and social education, and spiritual growth results in children leaving for their next school as well-rounded, confident, thoughtful and caring young people.
- The school’s attainment and progress record over time shows that the majority of students achieve well above national and local benchmarked standards.
Key Stage 2 Provision
The Key Stage 2 curriculum covers all children in Years 5 and 6 plus any extra-curricular activities and enrichment events. There are 25 lessons each week.
| Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Art | 1 | 1 |
| Computing | 1 | 1 |
| Design Technology | 1 | 1 |
| French | 1 | 1 |
| Geography | in LCS | 1 |
| History | in LCS | 1 |
| LCS / Literacy | 9 | 5 |
| Library | in LCS | 1 |
| Maths | 5 | 5 |
| Music | 1 | 1 |
| PE | 2 | 2 |
| PSHE | in LCS | in RE |
| Religious Education | 2 | 2 |
| Science | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 25 | 25 |
Classes in Year 5 are taught as 4 mixed-ability groups. The Literacy teacher will likely teach drama and PSHE as well as Humanities.
Classes in Year 6 are taught as 4 mixed-ability groups apart from Maths and English where five teachers are available to allow for smaller mixed ability classes.
Key Stage 3 Provision
The Key Stage 3 curriculum also comprises 25 lessons per week plus extra-curricular activities and enrichment events.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | |
| Art | 1 | 1 |
| Computing | 1 | 1 |
| Drama | 1 | 0 |
| Design Technology | 1 | 1 |
| English | 4 | 4 |
| French | 2 | 2 |
| Geography | 1 | 1 |
| History | 1 | 1 |
| Maths | 4 | 4 |
| Music | 1 | 1 |
| Options | 0 | 1 |
| PE | 2 | 2 |
| Religious Education / PSHE | 3 | 3 |
| Science | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 25 | 25 |
In Year 7, 120 pupils are organised into 4 teaching groups. These are mixed ability groups for most subjects. Drama in Year 7 complements the English curriculum.
In Year 8, arrangements are the same as Year 7. Although instead of drama there is a lesson of options subjects (guided preferences): from MFL, Advanced Computer Science, Performing Arts, Humanities, Applied Sport and Exercise. This ‘Options’ lesson is strongly linked to our careers programme both through the process of choosing and through explicit links to careers related to the subject including visiting speakers.
At St. Edward’s Royal Free, we aim to meet all intentions laid out in the 2019 Ofsted framework documentation as well as all National curriculum requirements. We plan to complete a curriculum review and improvement over the next two years to ensure it is fit for purpose and in-line with new recommendations. This last year has also focused on a hybrid curriculum model with topics being moved and amended to suit remote learning needs.
Some years, we run a two week timetable model but the make up of lessons stays as above.