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Academic

What is distinctive about The Marist curriculum?

In many schools, pupils between the ages of 4-11 are taught the National Curriculum through lessons where the content within each subject is not linked to other subjects. In recent discussions, Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman has noted that in many UK primary schools there has been, “curriculum narrowing, especially in upper Key Stage 2, with lessons disproportionately focused on English and mathematics. Sometimes, this manifested as intensive, even obsessive, test preparation.”

(HMCI commentary: curriculum and the new education inspection framework September 2018)

In contrast, our bespoke, broad and innovative Marist curriculum is designed to capture the sense of awe and wonder that young pupils have as they discover new knowledge and skills. As an independent school, we have the freedom and privilege to shape a unique curriculum offering that delivers the knowledge and skills associated with the National Curriculum, but which also offers a far richer, more engaging and challenging learning experience for all of our pupils. Our approach builds strong links between subject areas whilst incorporating memorable, practical, real-life experiences using our extensive outdoor spaces and a series of whole school projects and themes. This is a way of learning that better reflects life and the workplace.

The Marist Way is a highly interactive, investigative curriculum designed to provide challenge and intellectual stimulation and promote resilience, resourcefulness, collaboration, and problem-solving skills for our young people. Through The Marist Way we aim to offer, “Life in All Its Fullness” to all our pupils. We teach subject specific lessons but each term, the content of the lessons is linked to a central theme wherever possible. We enhance our teaching with a wide range of off-site residential trips, day visits, and external visitors such as artists, writers, and engineers.