Curriculum and Pedagogy
Curriculum summary
Our curriculum here at St -Michaels is underpinned by the 4 purposes, developing learners who are Ambitious & Capable, Enterprising & Creative, Healthy &Confident, and Ethical & Informed.
We will provide rich, authentic learning experiences in key Areas of Learning; Health & Wellbeing, Language, Literacy & Communication, Maths & Numeracy, Science & Technology, Humanities, and Expressive Arts.
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is at the heart of our curriculum. In designing our curriculum, our school have considered the pedagogical approaches we will need to employ to support learners in realising the four purposes. Our school has developed a strong vision of learning and teaching which considers the ‘why’ and ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’.
All teaching staff have a deep and thorough understanding of the pedagogical principles. Effective pedagogy relies on an in-depth understanding of child and adolescent development. It involves exploring and reflecting on which teaching strategies will best support learning in a given context, and inquiring about the impact of this on learners.
The pedagogical principles
Curriculum design for all learners is underpinned by twelve pedagogical principles, which state that good learning and teaching:
- maintains a consistent focus on the overall purposes of the curriculum
- challenges all learners by encouraging them to recognise the importance of sustained effort in meeting expectations that are high but achievable for them
- means employing a blend of approaches including direct teaching
- means employing a blend of approaches including those that promote problem-solving, creative and critical thinking
- sets tasks and selects resources that build on previous knowledge and experience and engage interest
- creates authentic contexts for learning
- means employing assessment for learning principles
- ranges within and across Areas
- regularly reinforces the cross-curricular skills of literacy, numeracy and digital competence, and provides opportunities to practise them
- encourages learners to take increasing responsibility for their own learning
- supports social and emotional development and positive relationships
- encourages collaboration