The Parish of St Laurence CE Primary School

Curriculum Statement

Through our Christian Faith, we acknowledge our responsibility to all, to enrich lives and show love and respect within our school family.  We believe in lifelong learning aiming to equip our children to live life today and for tomorrow rooted in Christian love.  This is rooted in our mission statement:

We Live Love and Learn through Faith in Jesus

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13)

At St Laurence’s our Curriculum has been designed to ensure each and every child can ' live life in all its fullness' by offering stimulating and awe-inspiring learning experiences with Christian values at its heart. 

Every child is recognised as a unique individual and we celebrate and welcome differences within our school community.  Our values of Hope, Forgiveness, Respect, Justice, Excellence and Love are rooted in all that we do and a Growth Mindset is entrenched within our curriculum.   We believe that with a broad and engaging curriculum our pupils can achieve anything, developing them not just as learners but as young people destined to contribute to a global society.

The National Curriculum is the bedrock of our learning with a high priority on the fundamentals of literacy and mathematics. However, our educational experience seeks to go way beyond that through a range of child-led topics designed to meet our specific curriculum needs. Our stakeholders expressed a wish for more breadth; to know more about the world around them, noteworthy people, culture, language, sports, careers and life-skills – we want our pupils to be prepared to be citizens of the world.

With this in mind, teachers carefully plan using topic webs which ensure coverage of curriculum objectives, but more so, provide the opportunity to be flexible and creative. Teachers skilfully weave elements of learning together to create a unique and enriching global curriculum where pupils are educated on issues local, national and international.

What makes our curriculum unique is our desire to take learning beyond the classroom, enabling pupils to see their potential to be lifelong learners. Our curriculum provides stretch and challenge for all groups to ensure progress and give a platform for more pupils to develop the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding within their learning.

A St. Laurence’s pupil is a resilient pupil, who embraces challenge with a Growth Mindset. A pupil who is a strong and confident speaker. A pupil who is capable of putting forward their views with passion and skill. A pupil who is happy to engage in respectful, intelligent debate using their knowledge and understanding.

Pupils can expect a range of experiences brought to life through our curriculum:

• themed weeks where pupils are immersed in a subject through a range of practical experiences;
• guest speakers who bring first-hand knowledge and experiences, allowing our pupils to question them and engage them in discussion;
• sporting opportunities within the curriculum and beyond giving pupils the chance to develop a love of sport and healthy lifestyles;
• links to sports clubs beyond school through sports partnerships e.g.  Chorley Football Club.
• be involved in a number of pupil-led groups across the curriculum including Sports Council, Librarians, School Council, Worship Group, Eco Team and Digital Leaders;
• clubs to enjoy and develop their experiences in areas ranging from science to gardening;
• links with local high schools to enhance learning opportunities;
• educational visits which give our pupils valuable learning experiences beyond the school grounds;
• workshops designed to equip our pupils for life beyond school e.g. Money Matters;
• opportunities for our pupils with specific talents to push themselves further by participating in Maths competitions hosted by linked high schools;
• use their public speaking skills through class performances or worships;
• explore the local community to enhance learning, for example studying different places of worship;
• meet new people and develop empathy;
• know that they can make a difference through charity work;
• to participate in a range of school-centred church and community events;
• to be tested and to test themselves in a variety of ways such e.g. Ninja Warrior Day;
• to show their musical talents through concert performances and can enjoy and celebrate the talents of their peers.

Children leave St Laurence’s with a sense of belonging to a loving Christian community, with confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, form relationships and become lifelong learners.