Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables
them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s
experiences even before the age of five have had a major impact on their future life
chances. St Crispin's provides a secure, safe, and happy environment where children benefit from high quality early learning, allowing every child to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.
The Foundation Stage consists of seven areas of learning and development. The three prime areas are:
Specialist music and physical education (PE) teachers contribute to enriching the Foundation Stage curriculum, creating a well-rounded and engaging atmosphere that fosters academic, creative, and physical development.
The Foundation Stage consists of seven areas of learning and development. The three prime areas are:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Specialist music and physical education (PE) teachers contribute to enriching the Foundation Stage curriculum, creating a well-rounded and engaging atmosphere that fosters academic, creative, and physical development.
Building on existing skills, knowledge and understanding, the Key Stage 1 curriculum focuses on the core skills of reading, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and maths.
At St. Crispin's, we recognise reading as a crucial skill that opens doors to academic knowledge and nurtures children's creativity by introducing them to a myriad of new ideas. Whether for pure enjoyment, to explore the world, or seek answers to their inquiries, we wholeheartedly embrace the written word all year round. In Year 1, children continue to strengthen their phonics knowledge as they progress towards their phonics screening check held in the summer term.
The children thoroughly enjoy an extensive and diverse mathematics curriculum, whether they are delving into data or conducting calculations. Key Stage 1 holds significant importance in shaping the children's perception of mathematics and fostering a problem-solving approach to their learning.
Beyond maths and English learning, the children discover science, geography, history, art & design, computing, religious studies, relationships & health education, PSHE, and citizenship. They continue to benefit from specialist teaching in music, physical education (PE), and French. The passion and dedication of our specialist staff instil in the children a deep affection for these subjects, which will prove invaluable throughout their lives.
At St. Crispin's, we recognise reading as a crucial skill that opens doors to academic knowledge and nurtures children's creativity by introducing them to a myriad of new ideas. Whether for pure enjoyment, to explore the world, or seek answers to their inquiries, we wholeheartedly embrace the written word all year round. In Year 1, children continue to strengthen their phonics knowledge as they progress towards their phonics screening check held in the summer term.
The children thoroughly enjoy an extensive and diverse mathematics curriculum, whether they are delving into data or conducting calculations. Key Stage 1 holds significant importance in shaping the children's perception of mathematics and fostering a problem-solving approach to their learning.
Beyond maths and English learning, the children discover science, geography, history, art & design, computing, religious studies, relationships & health education, PSHE, and citizenship. They continue to benefit from specialist teaching in music, physical education (PE), and French. The passion and dedication of our specialist staff instil in the children a deep affection for these subjects, which will prove invaluable throughout their lives.
Upon entering Key Stage 2, the children receive unwavering support from a team of dedicated specialist teachers. These educators embark on a captivating journey with the students, encouraging them to explore and uncover the depths of their subject specialisms, thus laying a strong foundation for their future accomplishments.
In the realm of mathematics, children are introduced to essential "Key Skills" that serve as the backbone for their ongoing achievements. By consistently engaging with these skills on a weekly basis, the children gain a clear sense of direction, enabling them to focus their efforts and readily observe their progress.
At Key Stage 2, the world of literature presents an abundance of treasures waiting to be explored, ranging from timeless classics like C. S. Lewis' unforgettable "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" to contemporary marvels such as Neil Gaiman's enthralling "The Graveyard Book".
Every day, students benefit from sports sessions that prioritise their health, growth, and overall well-being. Consistent swimming lessons play a crucial role in boosting children's water confidence, keeping them physically active, and ensuring an enjoyable experience. Through various sporting skills and activities, the children not only learn the importance of friendly competition but also develop a deeper understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship.
The Key Stage 2 curriculum is thoughtfully rounded off with a diverse and enriching selection of subjects, including science, geography, history, French, art & design, music, computing, religious studies, relationships & health education (RHE), PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), and citizenship. This comprehensive range of disciplines aims to provide students with a well-rounded and holistic education.
In the realm of mathematics, children are introduced to essential "Key Skills" that serve as the backbone for their ongoing achievements. By consistently engaging with these skills on a weekly basis, the children gain a clear sense of direction, enabling them to focus their efforts and readily observe their progress.
At Key Stage 2, the world of literature presents an abundance of treasures waiting to be explored, ranging from timeless classics like C. S. Lewis' unforgettable "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" to contemporary marvels such as Neil Gaiman's enthralling "The Graveyard Book".
Every day, students benefit from sports sessions that prioritise their health, growth, and overall well-being. Consistent swimming lessons play a crucial role in boosting children's water confidence, keeping them physically active, and ensuring an enjoyable experience. Through various sporting skills and activities, the children not only learn the importance of friendly competition but also develop a deeper understanding of teamwork and sportsmanship.
The Key Stage 2 curriculum is thoughtfully rounded off with a diverse and enriching selection of subjects, including science, geography, history, French, art & design, music, computing, religious studies, relationships & health education (RHE), PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), and citizenship. This comprehensive range of disciplines aims to provide students with a well-rounded and holistic education.
During Key Stage 3, the primary goal is to create a nurturing learning environment that emphasises the development of strong fundamental skills, complemented by a comprehensive and versatile curriculum. This approach lays a solid foundation for students, ensuring strong and steady progress as they advance to their GCSEs and beyond into adulthood. Each department within the school offers a curriculum that is relevant, balanced, and tailored to the needs of the students. The teachers take great care in designing these curricula, ensuring they align with the National Curriculum while also catering to the specific requirements and learning styles of their students.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum for the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and the Sciences is designed around a spiral structure. This approach involves revisiting and further developing key concepts and topics throughout the years. By periodically revisiting essential elements of the subjects, students have the opportunity to reinforce their understanding and build upon their knowledge incrementally. This spiral structure ensures a solid foundation and promotes a deeper grasp of the core subjects as students progress through Key Stage 3.
All students maintain access to an extensive array of additional subjects, enriching their learning experience. These subjects include history, geography, French, art and design, music, physical education, citizenship, computing, religious studies, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education). This diverse range of subjects allows students to explore various fields of knowledge and develop a well-rounded understanding of the world around them.
Throughout the three years of Key Stage 3, each subject endeavors to captivate the students' interest and attention, aiming to inspire them to pursue further studies at GCSE level and beyond. This journey reaches its peak in Year 9 when students are presented with the opportunity to engage in discussions and make their GCSE option choices. This crucial decision-making process allows them to select subjects they are passionate about and wish to explore in greater depth during their later academic years.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum for the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and the Sciences is designed around a spiral structure. This approach involves revisiting and further developing key concepts and topics throughout the years. By periodically revisiting essential elements of the subjects, students have the opportunity to reinforce their understanding and build upon their knowledge incrementally. This spiral structure ensures a solid foundation and promotes a deeper grasp of the core subjects as students progress through Key Stage 3.
All students maintain access to an extensive array of additional subjects, enriching their learning experience. These subjects include history, geography, French, art and design, music, physical education, citizenship, computing, religious studies, PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education). This diverse range of subjects allows students to explore various fields of knowledge and develop a well-rounded understanding of the world around them.
Throughout the three years of Key Stage 3, each subject endeavors to captivate the students' interest and attention, aiming to inspire them to pursue further studies at GCSE level and beyond. This journey reaches its peak in Year 9 when students are presented with the opportunity to engage in discussions and make their GCSE option choices. This crucial decision-making process allows them to select subjects they are passionate about and wish to explore in greater depth during their later academic years.
The transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 marks a significant milestone in a student's school journey. As they approach the end of Year 11, their results will be measured against national standards, playing a crucial role in shaping their future pathway. Therefore, the curriculum they follow and the subjects they choose become pivotal in determining their success. To ensure the best possible outcomes, a combination of high-quality teaching and diligent effort is essential. By nurturing a supportive learning environment and fostering hard work, students can unlock their full potential and smoothly transition into the next phase of their education with confidence and accomplishment.
At St. Crispin's, we foster and nurture intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, and imaginative thinking among our students. We believe it is crucial for students to take responsibility for their own learning, equipping them with the skills and mindset necessary for future success. Learning at our school takes place in various contexts, both within the school premises and outside, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience.
Through engaging in fieldwork and visits to historic venues, we bring learning to life, offering real-world applications and hands-on experiences. This approach encourages our students to explore beyond the classroom, connecting their knowledge to the world around them. By providing such diverse learning opportunities, we aim to empower our students to become active and lifelong learners, capable of thriving in any future endeavors.
At St Crispin's, all students usually pursue GCSE qualifications in the core curriculum subjects, including English language, English literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and French. Alongside these core subjects, students have the opportunity to make optional choices, such as history, geography, art, business, computer science, and physical education.
We believe in the importance of holistic development, and therefore, students will continue to benefit from PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), RSE (Relationships and Sex Education), and careers guidance throughout their Key Stage 4 studies. This comprehensive approach ensures that our students receive a well-rounded education, preparing them for their future academic and personal pursuits.
At St. Crispin's, we foster and nurture intellectual curiosity, independence, creativity, and imaginative thinking among our students. We believe it is crucial for students to take responsibility for their own learning, equipping them with the skills and mindset necessary for future success. Learning at our school takes place in various contexts, both within the school premises and outside, providing students with a well-rounded educational experience.
Through engaging in fieldwork and visits to historic venues, we bring learning to life, offering real-world applications and hands-on experiences. This approach encourages our students to explore beyond the classroom, connecting their knowledge to the world around them. By providing such diverse learning opportunities, we aim to empower our students to become active and lifelong learners, capable of thriving in any future endeavors.
At St Crispin's, all students usually pursue GCSE qualifications in the core curriculum subjects, including English language, English literature, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, and French. Alongside these core subjects, students have the opportunity to make optional choices, such as history, geography, art, business, computer science, and physical education.
We believe in the importance of holistic development, and therefore, students will continue to benefit from PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), RSE (Relationships and Sex Education), and careers guidance throughout their Key Stage 4 studies. This comprehensive approach ensures that our students receive a well-rounded education, preparing them for their future academic and personal pursuits.
Examinations and Assessment
At St. Crispin’s, we understand the significance of striking a balance between providing students with the experience of sitting examinations in a formal environment and ensuring they do not face excessive stress and pressure at a young age. Before Key Stage 2, all assessments are conducted in a regular classroom setting, familiarising children with the concept that examinations are a natural part of their learning journey.
From Year 3 onwards, we introduce more formal school exams at two specific points in each academic year. The first set of exams occurs at the end of the Autumn term, with performance feedback provided in the November subject reports. The second set of exams takes place around the Summer half term, allowing ample time for our staff to offer feedback and support to students in areas that may need improvement or further development.
By adopting this approach, we aim to prepare our students for the exam process while ensuring they feel adequately supported throughout their academic journey. We value their well-being and ensure that they have the necessary tools and resources to succeed in a balanced and nurturing learning environment.
