At St Matthias, our curriculum:
- Reflects the diversity and richness of global society – celebrating different cultures, perspectives and experiences
- Provides many opportunities for children to acquire knowledge and apply skills effectively across subjects
- Is carefully planned from the EYFS, laying important foundations so children can build on their learning from Year 1 through to Year 6
- Supports pupils to develop a secure understanding of their place in the world and the impact they can have on it
- Teaches children to be responsible citizens who know the difference between right and wrong
- Is sequenced to ensure progression – knowledge and skills build over time, supporting pupils to know more and remember more
- Has oracy, reading and vocabulary development at its heart – these skills support curriculum access and empower pupils to communicate effectively and think deeply
The National Curriculum
In Key Stage 1 and 2 the curriculum is made up of core subjects:
- English, Maths, Science, Religious Education and Computing
and foundation subjects:
- Art and Design, Design Technology, History, Geography, Music, PSHE, Physical Education, MfL – Spanish
Please click on the following link to learn more about the National Curriculum in Key Stage 1 & 2. You can read more about all of our curriculum subjects by clicking on individual topics under Subjects.
A Rich and Engaging Curriculum
Our curriculum is much wider and deeper than the subjects in the National Curriculum. We believe in providing children with experiences that inspire, challenge and excite them.
From African Dance and Drumming to Steel Pans, from exploring our local area in Hackney to studying countries across the globe, from investigating scientific phenomena to performing their own writing – our children experience a curriculum that opens doors and broadens horizons.
rom the Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 2, we want children to enjoy learning and to see how different subjects connect together in meaningful ways. Our lessons are carefully planned so that pupils build knowledge and skills step by step, with lots of opportunities to practise, apply and deepen their learning in different contexts. We place great value on talk, discussion, co-operation and shared discovery, because children learn best when they feel engaged, supported and inspired. From their very first day at school to the end of Year 6, we provide a rich range of experiences that help every child discover what they are good at, develop their interests and grow in confidence.
We are committed to the academic and personal development of all of its pupils. To see our plan for supporting pupils identified as SEND, please click on the link below to view our schools Accessibility Plan which has been written in accordance with our schools Equalities Policy.
Cultural Capital
Every child and family who joins our school brings their own knowledge and experiences linked to their culture and wider family. This might include languages, beliefs, traditions, cultural and family heritage, interests, travel and work.
Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that a child can draw upon. It demonstrates their cultural awareness, knowledge and competence, and is one of the key ingredients a pupil will draw upon to be successful in society, their career and the world of work.
Cultural capital gives children power. It helps them achieve goals, become successful, and rise up the social ladder without necessarily having wealth or financial capital. Cultural capital provides children with the desire to aspire and achieve social mobility, whatever their starting point.
Gradually widening children’s experiences as they progress through school is an important step in providing rich and engaging learning across the curriculum. At St Matthias, we are committed to ensuring that all our children – whatever their starting point – have access to the knowledge, experiences and opportunities they need to succeed.