Background

Jesus cleverly picks out 3 distinct and different aspects of who we are: Mind, body (strength) and spirit (heart and soul). These three aspects – the mental, physical and spiritual - work together to give us a focus for our curriculum. What does a mind, body and spirit curriculum look like?

Mind

We provide a curriculum that inspires every child to meet their academic potential and to excel. Enquiry based learning, where children are encouraged to ask their own questions, encourages curiosity and helps build a life-long love of learning. We encourage children to be creative and to show their new learning in different ways: in their written and recorded work, practically, and through art, music and drama. The curriculum is differentiated, to meet the diverse needs of all children. We challenge, stretch and support the children, aspiring to help every child be the best they can be. We encourage a ‘growth mind-set’, where every child has a ‘can-do’ attitude when it comes to new learning. We are always seeking to innovate in our curriculum and find new and creative ways of exploring learning. All children are encouraged to develop their own self-expression through music, art and drama.

Body

We deliver an excellent and varied PE programme across the school, working in partnership with expert coaches to ensure the highest standards in the delivery of a range of sports, games, skills and activities. All children are encouraged and expected to participate fully in PE and sport and are given regular opportunity to compete, both in school and locally, with other schools. We encourage every child to build their own physical fitness and participate in the ‘Daily Mile’, whereby every child runs a mile a day for 15 minutes during the school day. We encourage healthy dietary choices through our provision of a hot, healthy daily meal prepared on the premises, and fruit snacks. Children with outstanding sporting ability receive additional specialist coaching and represent the school in sporting competitions. We encourage every child to take responsibility for their own health and fitness, culminating in our annual ‘Fitness Week’ in the second half of the summer term.

Sprit

Underpinning all that we do at St Mary’s are the Christian values and ethos on which our school is founded. At St Mary’s, we welcome children and families of all faiths and none, valuing and respecting every child as precious in the sight of God. In following the example of Jesus, we encourage children to take responsibility for their choices and the way in which they treat others. Everyone is welcomed and included in our school community and we positively celebrate difference. Our programme of daily Collective Worship promotes spirituality, encouraging children to be thoughtful and reflective in prayer and worship and quiet reflection. The children can express their spirituality by taking part in different aspects of the Christian calendar, including Christmas and Easter, and in making their own contributions to our Collective Worship. We love and value every child, encouraging them to foster and develop their own spiritual beliefs.