Curriculum Values

Christ is at the centre of the curriculum at St Benedict’s with the Gospel values of Compassion, Wisdom and Resilience promoted in both the subjects students study and the topics they learn in class. Each lesson is designed to help students flourish into the beings God intended them to be, providing them with the knowledge and skill, as well as the moral judgement, that will allow them to contribute positively towards society's common good.

All students receive a deliberately ambitious curriculum which puts them in possession of powerful knowledge and cultural capital intended to improve their life chances and maximise their God-given potential. Catholic social teaching is woven through the lessons students experience, providing context to the learning they encounter throughout their school career.

Our curriculum allows students access to the best that has been thought and said in each subject area, pushing them beyond the everyday knowledge and allowing them to succeed in life, irrespective of ability, background or personal circumstances.

"Leaders provide an ambitious curriculum. They think carefully about the knowledge they want pupils to gain in each area of the curriculum.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and understand how pupils learn"

Ofsted, 2022

 

Wisdom

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practise is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

Through our curriculum we seek to provide young people with the relevant knowledge, understanding and Cultural Capital to inspire their future learning and careers and which enables them to play an active part in society, whatever their background. Our curriculum enables young people to seek truth and wisdom in their own lives and look beyond the superficial and misleading.

 

Compassion

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” John 3:17

Our curriculum provides opportunities for young people to learn about the society (both local and global) in which they live their lives and to connect with others with kindness. We ensure that our curriculum is broad and balanced to enable all young people to learn about the diversity of human achievement and endeavour and the importance of mutual respect and compassion for others.

 

Resilience

"Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh" Luke 24:52

Our curriculum encourages students to learn from their mistakes, make progress and see success as an ongoing process. Our curriculum helps students to approach their futures with hope and optimism and through personalised approaches to learning, see that their own future can be a bright one.

 

Curriculum Principles

 - St Benedict’s offers a 3 Year Key Stage 3 with a focus on preparing students for a successful Key Stage 4.

 - Students have access to all traditional subjects at Key Stage 3, but there is a great emphasis on Religious Education, English, Maths, Science, Modern Foreign Languages, History, and Geography.

 - All students study multiple languages in Year 7, having lessons in both French and Spanish, before opting to study a single language in depth during their Year 8 and 9.

 - All students progress towards studying both English Literature and English Language at GCSE.

 - The majority of students at Key Stage 5 study 3 Level 3 qualifications (or equivalent sized qualifications).