St Bede’s Curriculum Statement

“The meaning of life is to find your gift.

The purpose of life is to give it away”

At St Bede’s Catholic Primary School we offer our pupils a broad, rich and diverse approach to learning so that they can fully experience the joys of childhood, develop a lifelong love of learning and discover all that is extraordinary about themselves, the planet and the people that inhabit it.

Inspired by our patron saint, St Bede the Scholar, our knowledge rich curriculum has been designed to be creative, well-connected and progressive to enable all pupils to grow intellectually, spiritually and emotionally with a strong sense of who they are, where they come from and how they can positively contribute to the world around them, both in the present and in the future.

As a Catholic school, our Gospel Values are at the heart of all our endeavours and our curriculum reflects our belief that we are all part of God’s plan for creation. Through our curriculum, and indeed all aspects of school life, we want to help our pupils to answer God’s call to be stewards of His earth and work towards goals for the common good.

The principles and purpose of our curriculum are driven by the following:

Love for Learning

To develop:

  • A thirst for knowledge: to know more and remember more
  • A love of literature and language
  • Inquisitiveness and curiosity
  • Resilience and resourcefulness
  • Determination and commitment

Sense of Self

To discover:

  • What makes us extraordinary and unique
  • How to be happy and content with who we are
  • our personal passions and interests
  • The gifts and talents we have to share
  • How to care for our own well-being and health

Awe and Wonder

To demonstrate:

  • Curiosity and fascination in all of God’s creations
  • Diversity and difference is embraced and celebrated
  • Responsibility as global citizens
  • Generosity for the planet and its people
  • That inspiration can lead to aspiration for ourselves and others

Aspiration and Achievement

To believe:

  • Anything is possible
  • We are capable of change
  • We can do hard things
  • We are stronger united
  • We can achieve our goals

Entitlement and Enrichment:

In order to fulfil our principles and purpose, we will broaden our curriculum with visits and visitors, extracurricular activities and other enrichment experiences so that by the time our pupils leave St Bede’s they will have had the opportunity to:

  • Be involved in daily acts of worship
  • Experience and lead liturgy
  • Make a positive contribution to the school, local and wider community
  • Write a song
  • Participate in memorable real life experiences
  • Be innovative and lead learning
  • Actively engage in learning outside the classroom
  • Learn a musical instrument
  • Sing in a concert
  • Perform to a variety of audiences
  • Learn a new language
  • Visit a Museum
  • Travelling by public transport
  • Go to an art gallery
  • Sleep at least one night away from school with your class
  • Compete in inter and intra sporting competitions
  • Hold a position of responsibility within school
  • Have your voice listened to and influence decision making
  • Celebrate your culture and family traditions with others
  • Take part in a celebration for another faith/culture from your own
  • Cook and eat food that they have gown in school
  • Join a School Club
  • Have a real-life theatre experience
  • Enter a school-based competition
  • Have a piece of your artwork displayed for all to see
  • Be an ambassador for your school
  • Work alongside an expert
  • Participate in curriculum enhancement weeks
  • Raise money for charity
  • Develop their own enterprise project
  • Learn to swim
  • Enjoy a picnic with friends
  • Visit a city
  • Meet a scientist
  • Be inspired by an author
  • Learn life saving skills

Year Group Curriculum Overview