Our five-year curriculum is designed to meet the academic, personal and wider needs of all students, providing learning opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. It is built around the needs, aspirations and abilities of our students, reflecting our local context and allowing our students to develop and enrich their personal and social capital.

The curriculum is ‘clutter free’, allowing for a depth that focuses on key concepts and knowledge. This equips students with a wealth of knowledge to go beyond exam success and to relate to the bigger picture, ensuring students see how their learning relates to a bigger story and the relevance of it. Our curriculum content is delivered in a logical progression, systematically and explicitly enough for all students to acquire the knowledge and skills required in each subject area.

Each subject has a clear year by year curriculum amp which ensures that student’s learning builds on what has been taught before and for what comes next. Subject curriculum maps also provide coherence to allow our students to make explicit connections across the curriculum. 

Here at St. Cuthbert’s, our curriculum is rooted in our Catholic faith and the principles laid out in Catholic Social Teaching. Our goal is to help every child shine, feel valued, and make a positive mark in the world. With our core CARE values—Catholicity, Aspiration, Respect, and Excellence—guiding us, we aim to nurture each child’s academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth. We strive to foster an environment where every student feels secure, included, and supported, both inside, outside, and beyond the classroom. 1. Catholicity The word ‘Catholic’ means ‘universal,’ and so too is our curriculum; universal in scope and inclusive of all. These aren’t just words; they shape how we care for others and understand our place in the world. We truly believe that every child is unique and created in the image of God. Our educational approach reflects the Church’s mission to engage the whole person, intellectually, morally, and spiritually, preparing students to thrive in a global and interconnected world. That’s why we work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere where every child, regardless of their background or abilities, feels safe and valued.

Our lessons are built on the teachings of the Catholic Church, emphasizing values such as justice, peace, and love. We encourage our students to practice kindness, look after the vulnerable, and strive for the greater good. By following Christ’s example, we hope to instill a sense of compassion and justice in everything our students do. 2. Aspiration At St. Cuthbert’s, we strive to ensure that every student has the potential for greatness and to be the best that they can be. We inspire our students to set personal goals and place importance on hard work to achieve them.

Our aim is to help each student recognise their potential. We want them to shoot for the stars, tackle challenges head-on, and learn from their mistakes. Aspiring to be their best will help them grow into strong, capable individuals ready to thrive in a world that’s always changing. 3. Respect Respect is central to everything we do at St. Cuthbert’s. We believe everyone deserves kindness and dignity. Our curriculum teaches students the importance of respecting themselves, others, and the world around them. We focus on building positive relationships where everyone feels safe, heard, and included. We also emphasise caring for others, especially those who might be different from us. Embracing diversity and practicing empathy are key to creating a community where everyone feels they belong. 4. Excellence Excellence is what we strive for in all aspects of our work. We expect our students to aim for their best selves—not just in their studies but in every part of their lives. Our curriculum encourages critical thinking, curiosity, and the application of knowledge, all while fostering individual growth. We want every student to build a solid foundation of core knowledge that they can build on as they continue their education. By developing confidence, reflection, and independence, our students learn to apply this knowledge in varying contexts. We truly believe that intelligence can grow through hard work and practice. But excellence isn’t solely about grades. It’s about becoming resilient and confident individuals who consistently try their hardest. We want students to leave St. Cuthbert’s ready to tackle the ever-changing world with the skills and mindset to keep growing and positively impacting their changing communities. At St. Cuthbert’s, our curriculum is designed to: – Equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to make positive decisions and thrive in the world around them. – Foster resilience, leadership, and empathy, all while staying true to our Catholic values of justice, peace, and love.

– Spark a lifelong love of learning, encouraging personal growth and a spirit of service to others. – Create a safe, nurturing environment where each child’s well-being is a top priority. In this environment students will feel comfortable expressing themselves, making mistakes, and blossoming into confident individuals prepared to contribute positively to their communities.

Culture and Standards
Warm Welcome: Staff greet pupils at the door during the first 5 minutes of the lesson, reinforcing a calm start and setting the tone.
Ready to Learn: Embedded and clearly communicated routines mean that pupils enter quietly, take out all necessary equipment, and engage in a short Do Now task.
Clear Uniform and Conduct Checks: Uniform and coats are checked promptly and consistently.  Where uniform is missing this is logged on arbor.  Mobile phones are out of sight and confiscated if seen.
Seating Plan Followed: Pupils sit in assigned seats  (on arbor) designed to maximise learning and minimise disruption.
Calm Transitions: Transitions between activities (or when receiving books/paper) are done calmly and purposefully due to embedded and clearly communicated routines..
Positive Framing of Instructions: Staff give clear, concise, and positively worded instructions.
No Opt Out: Staff use names, cold calling, and “no hands up” to ensure all pupils are included.  They use a variety of teaching methods to ensure this.  Pupils are encouraged to track the teacher e.g. pupil’s do not put heads on the desk.
Consistency in Behaviour Response: All staff apply the behaviour system fairly and proportionately.  C1 C2 C3 are used to remind pupils to correct their behaviour.  These will be visual to pupils and clearly communicated.  Staff will use a variety of tools to encourage pupils to behave well examples include verbal and non-verbal cues and praise.
Learning Environment Ownership: Teachers ensure displays, work on the board, and the classroom environment are tidy and purposeful.
Calm Dismissal: Pupils are dismissed row-by-row, ensuring order and a positive end to the lesson.

 

Quality of Education
Positive Relationships: All teaching starts with high expectations and consistent, respectful relationships.
Clear Instruction: New learning is explained in small steps using expert modelling and scaffolding.
Guided Practice: Teachers check for understanding before asking pupils to work independently.
Purposeful Practice: All pupils engage in independent tasks designed to embed and extend learning.
Responsive Teaching: Teachers adapt in real time, using checks for understanding to close gaps.

 

Pace with Purpose: Lessons move with energy, balancing thinking time with learning momentum.
Precise Feedback: Feedback (verbal or written) is timely, actionable and helps pupils improve.
Reading and Vocabulary: Academic language is taught explicitly, and key vocabulary is reinforced.
High Quality Questioning: Staff ask challenging questions, prompting pupils to explain, justify and explore ideas.
Inclusive Practice: Lessons are designed with the needs of “all” learners in mind.

The Key Stage Three curriculum covers the content of the National Curriculum. This ensures students study a broad and balanced curriculum that builds on, but not repeats, students’ learning in Key Stage Two.

The curriculum is knowledge rich and supports students to remember the core knowledge required to progress to the next stage of their learning.

Key Stage 4 provides the opportunity for all students to study a strong academic core of subjects and qualifications appropriate to their aspirations.

Students in Year 10 have the opportunity to personalise their own curriculum pathway and specialise in subject areas most appropriate to their needs, interests or future career paths.  The additional time dedicated to these specialism subjects enables students to master the subject, fostering deeper conceptual understanding. This will build powerful knowledge which ensures students are sufficiently challenged and grasp the key concepts needed for success in Year 11 and beyond.

All students study Religious Education which develop religiously literate, engaged and spiritual young people with the knowledge, understanding and skills to positively contribute to the world in which they live.

The majority of students at Key Stage 4 will study the full English Baccalaureate range of subjects, which includes English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, Humanities (Geography or History) and a Modern Foreign Language (French or Spanish). This core curriculum will provide a solid basis for further and higher education.

Please click here to view the exam boards that we use at St Cuthbert’s.

Subject

Art (Fine Art)

Chemistry

Computer Science

Combined Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Diocesan Certificate Religious Education

Design Technology

English Language

English Literature

Food and Nutrition

French

Geography

History

ICT

Health and Social Care

Mathematics

Music

Physics

Physical Education

Psychology

Religious Education

Sociology

Spanish

Sports Studies

Qualification

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE  – Double Award

Diocesan Certificate Religious Education

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

Cambridge National

Cambridge National

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

GCSE

Cambridge National

The curriculum at St. Cuthbert’s extends beyond the academic.  It is intended to provide opportunities and experiences for students which enables them to develop and discover a variety of interests and talents.  St. Cuthbert’s Skills for Life curriculum will build independence, resilience and confidence in students.  It will also equip them to be responsible, active citizens with a fully developed sense of fundamental British values.

Each year group has a personal development curriculum which enhances students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Included in this curriculum there is a focus on wellbeing which runs strategically throughout the year and is explored in assemblies, acts of collective worship, form tutor time and enrichment opportunities.

For any further information on our curriculum, please contact Mrs C Hunt who will be happy to help.