National Curriculum

At St James' Church of England Primary School, we are committed to providing a broad, balanced, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that inspires a lifelong love of learning.

Our curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision:

‘Serve one another in love’ (Galatians 5:13)

Guided by our Christian values, we strive to provide exceptional learning opportunities that enable every child to develop their knowledge, skills, confidence and character, preparing them for the next stage of their education and for life beyond St James'.

The National Curriculum

At St James', we teach the statutory National Curriculum for England in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) and Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). The National Curriculum sets out the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that children are expected to learn throughout their Primary education. We use this statutory framework to develop an engaging, carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on children's prior learning, deepens their understanding and encourages curiosity, creativity and independence. Our aim is for every child to achieve their full potential, develop a secure foundation of knowledge and skills and leave St James' with a positive attitude towards learning.

Subjects We Teach

Children in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 study the following National Curriculum subjects:

Beyond the National Curriculum

Alongside the statutory National Curriculum, we provide additional learning opportunities that support children's academic, social, emotional, moral and spiritual development.

These include:

Religious Education (RE): Following our adopted diocesan syllabus, children develop their understanding of Christianity and other religions and worldviews, exploring important questions about faith, beliefs and life.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE): Helping children develop positive relationships, understand their emotions, make informed choices and become responsible members of society.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE): Providing age-appropriate learning that supports children's physical and emotional well-being, safety and understanding of healthy relationships.

Collective Worship: Offering opportunities for reflection, spiritual development and exploration of our Christian vision and values.

Our Approach to Teaching and Learning

We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality teaching and meaningful learning experiences. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure that knowledge and skills are developed progressively as children move through the school. Teachers build on previous learning, revisit important concepts and provide opportunities for pupils to apply their knowledge in different contexts. We recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates. Through adaptive teaching, appropriate support and high expectations, we aim to ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and those who may face additional barriers to learning, can access the curriculum and experience success. We encourage children to become confident learners who ask questions, think critically, solve problems and take pride in their achievements.

Enriching Our Curriculum

Learning at St James' extends beyond the classroom. Educational visits, visitors, sporting opportunities, creative experiences, outdoor learning, pupil leadership and community projects help bring our curriculum to life. Our strong links with St James' Church and the wider community also provide valuable opportunities for children to develop spiritually, understand their responsibilities towards others and put our Christian vision into action. We want our children to develop not only the knowledge and skills needed for future learning, but also the compassion, confidence and aspiration to make a positive difference in the world.

Preparing Children for the Future

Our curriculum aims to equip children with the knowledge, understanding and personal qualities they need to flourish. By the time children leave St James', we want them to be confident, respectful, resilient and enthusiastic learners who are well prepared for secondary school and the opportunities and challenges ahead. Above all, we want our pupils to develop a lifelong love of learning and to recognise the importance of serving others with kindness, compassion and respect.

Further Information

For more information about the National Curriculum and the learning experiences we provide, please explore our curriculum pages and subject overviews.

National Curriculum in England – Primary Curriculum (Department for Education)