Curriculum Intent

‘Believe to Achieve’ 

Teaching and Learning in the Imaginary World of Stories through Dramatic Play

How can we empower all learners to learn for life?

At St Thomas’ the staff believe that they must focus on empowering all learners to learn for life.  They are clear that this means developing in each child life skills, learning skills, positive attitudes and attributes, alongside knowledge and understanding. 

They feel strongly that this key aim should underpin the development of the curriculum in all phases.  In response to pupil, parent and Governor feed-back the staff are committed to delivering a more inspiring and creative curriculum that excites and challenges all. 

By implementing a Narrative Immersion (Text Led Curriculum) approach to the curriculum the staff seek to develop in the children their aspirations.  Staff are committed to finding methods of teaching that will inspire the children to want more from their lives and achieve higher than they might hope.  It matters to the staff that whilst at school the pupils enjoy feeling part of something successful to encourage a growth in confidence and self-esteem. 

The staff see a need to place increased emphasis on the teaching of skills and knowledge.  They share a commitment to develop skills within each child so that they can face, and overcome, different challenges in their lives and access all opportunities life has to offer.  They are intent on developing approaches to teaching and learning that will not only empower children for tests but also support them for the tests of life.

The staff have a shared ambition to consistently care for the future of each individual child and enable them to be happy and achieve their life hopes.

HAPPINESS.  CARE.  SKILLS FOR LIFE.  ASPIRATION.   CONTRIBUTION

How do stories help develop learners?

• Support pupils to develop key life skills.
• Develop children’s thinking skills.
• Teach children facts, concepts and skills that accelerate their learning in a number of curriculum areas.
• Explore, enjoy and teach about language.
• Develop many aspects of emotional intelligence.

Why narrative immersion?

• It enables thematic teaching which helps embed literacy.
• Provides a vehicle for a broad and balanced curriculum.
• Is designed to accommodate coverage of many areas of the curriculum in depth.
• Builds broad conceptual and social frameworks into young minds and hearts.
• Enables pupils to grasp the art of story-telling.
• Develops a language rich environment.
• Provides a context for learning and gives it added value and purpose.

Narrative immersion is providing a context for the development of:

• Thinking skills
• Emotional intelligence
• The dispositions of independent learning

Without these skills to underpin their educational and life-skill development pupils will struggle to:

• work in groups;
• to carry out research;
• manage relationships;
• resolve conflict peacefully;
• solve problems;
• develop self-discipline;
• manage time and deadlines;
• speak out;
• think independently and creatively.

We all need these skills in the exponential technological age of the 21st century.

This is the basis of life-long learning.