Kirkland Curriculum
Our high quality, ambitious curriculum...
At Kirkland & Catterall St Helen’s Church of England Primary School, we strive to provide a high-quality education that meets the needs of all children throughout their time at our school. We believe that every child is a gift from God and brings with them unique talents and characteristics that should be nurtured and celebrated. Within our school family, every action and decision is underpinned by Christian values, which play a central role in the life of our school.
We aim to prepare children for success in the 21st century by inspiring a lifelong love of learning. Our curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to thrive in the world of work, within their community and as responsible global citizens, while developing a strong understanding of British values. We are committed to ensuring that every child is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
Our curriculum is carefully designed and sequenced into manageable components of learning, so that new knowledge builds systematically on what has been taught before. Each unit of work is planned with clear end points, enabling children to know more and remember more over time. Key concepts are revisited and strengthened, ensuring that learning is secure and embedded before moving on. This structured approach supports all learners, while providing appropriate challenge and depth for those ready to go further.
Through a broad and balanced curriculum that extends beyond the National Curriculum, we take account of individual strengths and interests and enrich learning through meaningful, engaging experiences. This ensures that every child develops a deepening understanding, growing confidence and the ability to apply their learning across subjects and contexts.
As teachers, we are committed to providing a curriculum that:
offers opportunities for child-initiated learning
enables skills to be developed independently, collaboratively and socially
fosters perseverance, enthusiasm, independence, curiosity and the sharing of personal experiences
develops a balanced foundation of knowledge, skills and understanding
promotes positive attitudes and effective approaches to learning
supports the development of each child’s unique identity within a nurturing, personalised environment
meets the requirements of the National Curriculum for England
enriches pupils’ experiences through visits, visitors and outdoor learning opportunities
celebrates and promotes individual talents, interests and achievements
encourages understanding of diversity and global awareness
develops resilience, independence, responsibility and emotional intelligence
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS – Reception)
In Reception, our teaching is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. We place a strong emphasis on the three prime areas of learning, which are essential for children’s healthy development: communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development. Learning in the specific areas—literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design—builds upon these prime areas, ensuring a secure and well-rounded foundation for future learning.
Key Stages 1 and 2 (Years 1 to 6)
Children in Years 1 to 6 follow the National Curriculum, which provides pupils with an introduction to the essential knowledge they need to become educated citizens. It introduces them to the best that has been thought and said, while fostering an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.
At Kirkland & Catterall St Helen’s Church of England Primary School, there is a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English and Mathematics, which are taught daily. Significant time is also dedicated to Science, Religious Education, and Computing. The foundation subjects—Art, Design Technology, Physical Education, History, Geography, Music, and Modern Foreign Languages—are taught through a stimulating, themed approach that links learning across subjects and enhances understanding.
As a church school, Christian values play a central role in our children’s education. We are committed to being a welcoming school with a strong Christian ethos, where all children can flourish physically, spiritually, socially and morally. We place the highest importance on providing a safe and secure environment in which everyone feels happy and valued. As a nurturing school, we support the development of self-confidence, resilience and personal responsibility. Each half term, we focus on a different Christian value, encouraging the whole school community to reflect on its meaning and how it can be lived out at home, in school and in the wider community.
Enriching the Curriculum
The curriculum at Kirkland & Catterall St Helen’s encompasses a wide range of rich learning experiences. We recognise that children learn most effectively through direct experience, and therefore provide opportunities from an early age to bring learning to life and make it meaningful and relevant.
This is achieved through carefully chosen educational visits, workshops (both on and off site), and topic-related costume and role-play days. We also welcome a variety of visitors into school to enhance learning, including actors, visitors from other faiths and denominations, parents, and members of our local community.
Our curriculum is further enriched through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, available to all children, as well as enhanced provision for those identified as gifted and talented. These activities give pupils the opportunity to develop and apply new skills while working with children from different age groups and with teachers other than their own class teacher. The range of activities offered changes regularly.
In addition, we offer a Forest School curriculum to our younger year groups, delivered on site within our extensive grounds. We are fortunate to have trained Forest School practitioners on our staff team, who work together to provide an exciting and enriching element to our inclusive and varied curriculum.