St Bartholomew’s is committed to providing all pupils with the highest quality of learning experiences which lead to high levels of achievement and consistently raise attainment. We expect every teacher to be a highly effective classroom practitioner, for no child deserves anything less.

The Seven Design Principles of Curriculum for Excellence encapsulate our aspirations for every St Bartholomew’s pupil:

Progression
All of our pupils experience continuous progression in their learning within a single curricular framework. Our progression pathways help ensure that learning and teaching continually builds upon pupils’ existing knowledge, skills and achievements. We allow all pupils to progress at a rate which meets their needs and aptitudes, and class teachers ensure that options are kept open so that routes are not closed off too early.

Challenge and Enjoyment
Staff continually plan pupils’ learning to ensure it is challenging, engaging and motivating. Our curriculum encourages high aspirations and ambitions for all of our pupils. At each stage of the school, learners of all aptitudes and abilities experience an appropriate level of challenge, enabling each child to achieve their full potential. They are active in their learning and have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their creativity.

Breadth
All of our pupils have opportunities for a broad range of experiences. Our curriculum is organised to enable them to learn and develop through a variety of contexts within the classroom and through other aspects of school life. Out of school visits and guest speakers are arranged throughout the year to enhance and reinforce the children’s learning.

Depth
There are regular opportunities for our pupils to develop their full capacity for different types of thinking and learning. As they progress, we seek to help them develop and apply increasing intellectual rigour, drawing different strands of learning together and exploring and achieving more advanced levels of understanding. Staff use their knowledge of higher order thinking skills to facilitate deep learning.

Personalisation and Choice
Our curriculum responds to the individual needs of pupils and supports particular aptitudes and talents. It gives our pupils opportunities for exercising responsible personal choice as they move through the school. There are safeguards to ensure that choices are soundly based and lead to successful outcomes. All pupils can choose from a variety of after school clubs, providing opportunities for them to learn and develop specialised knowledge and skills.

Coherence
Our pupils’ learning activities combine to form a coherent experience. Staff ensure there are clear links between the different aspects of pupils’ learning, including opportunities for extended activities which draw different strands of learning together.

Relevance
We work hard to ensure our pupils understand the purposes of their activities. They are encouraged to see the value of what they are learning and its relevance to their lives, both present and in the future. We plan regular themed days/weeks as well as whole-school mini topics. These support staff in unpacking the Experiences and Outcomes in innovative ways to make learning experiences relevant to real life.