ST MARY’S CHURCH OF ENGLAND

ST MARY'S Curriculum

Our teachers and assistants are chosen for their experience, skills and personality, so that our children are taught in a stimulating, structured and encouraging environment. Boys and girls are grouped in classes according to age. A mix of whole class, group and individual teaching methods is used as appropriate. We cater for all pupils and seek to meet their learning needs, whatever they may be. We use Surrey County Council’s various ‘support teams’, including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists, when needed. 

Please find a curriculum overview for each class on the individual class pages as well as some more information about what your child will be learning about during their time at St Mary's. 

St. Mary’s Curriculum Statement

Our curriculum intent can be summarised into:

Strive - to be the best version of yourself in our broad, inspiring and inclusive curriculum.

Flourish - in our nurturing environment where love underpins all we do, enabling all children to find their independence and individual strengths. With a focus on wellbeing and acceptance of all.

Succeed - high hopes, high aspirations and high expectations for all children to reach their individual goals and beyond. Preparing them for success in their first years of school and setting them up to achieve in their future.

Our aim is to provide our children with a broad and balanced curriculum which is ambitious and inclusive. The intent, linked with our school values, follows our focus for all children to find and develop their individual strengths through our carefully planned curriculum, which ensures progression and coverage, and encompasses our immediate environment.

Our children will:

•           develop into happy, confident and independent individuals with a secure foundation in learning that will last throughout their lives
•           develop enthusiastic and inquisitive minds through challenge and teamwork, learning through play and benefitting from experiences beyond            the classroom
•           establish a command of the subjects contained in the National Curriculum
•           value and understand religious and moral beliefs, and develop a respect for the views of others
•           develop understanding of the world in which we live
•           appreciate human achievements and aspirations
•           develop a love of reading and appreciation for storytelling and the wonderful world of books

Our curriculum is child focused; pupils are at the centre of everything we do. We have high expectations of our children and have developed a curriculum which allows all children to achieve to the highest level, nurturing their personal interests and talents and equipping them with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to be successful in their lives, with appreciation for one another and the precious world around them. We aim to excite and inspire the children, so they develop a love of learning, questioning mind and a passion to find and try new interests. They leave us as nurtured and well-rounded individuals, prepared for their next stage in education.

Foundation Stage (Goldfinches) 

We teach the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum in our Goldfinch class of 4 and 5 year olds. Children learn through purposeful and structured play through the seven areas of learning:

Prime areas

• personal, social and emotional development

• physical development

• communication and language

Specific areas

• mathematics

• literacy

• understanding the world

• expressive arts and design

Early literacy and mathematical skills are taught in short more structured sessions and practised informally through planned play.  We provide a thorough induction for our new entrants, details of which can be found in our New Parents Induction section.

Key Stage One (Kingfishers and Woodpeckers)

Our Key Stage One classes are Kingfishers (Year 1) and Woodpeckers (Year 2).

Mathematics and English are taught daily and Science, Computing and RE are taught weekly. Computer technology is also used as a learning tool across the curriculum. 

Mathematics

At St Mary’s, we aim to deliver high quality mathematics education to give children a thorough understanding of number and place value, the four operations, fractions, geometry, measurement and statistics. Throughout Early Years, Year 1 and Year 2, the maths curriculum is taught through a series of lessons which build on prior knowledge, reinforcing children’s understanding of key learning, while introducing new concepts and methods.

Throughout a child’s time at St Mary’s, we aim to foster a deep understanding through a gradual progression of teaching methods. In Reception, children engage in more concrete methods - practical activities that are hands-on, such as using counting objects, number lines, and manipulatives to build number sense. These activities help children grasp basic concepts of quantity, addition, and subtraction in a tangible way. As children move into Year 1, the focus shifts towards more structured activities that still incorporate physical objects but begin to build on using simple pictorial and written methods, such as representing numbers using drawings, and writing number sentences. By Year 2, children are still encouraged to represent numbers using concrete and pictorial methods, but also work on using more formal written strategies, as well as developing their mental maths skills, in order to achieve quick recall of key number facts, which supports their understanding across the curriculum. Mathematical language is taught explicitly and children are encouraged to use appropriate vocabulary to explain their answers. This progression ensures that children develop the confidence and skills to use practical strategies first, before transitioning to more abstract, written methods that develop their mathematical understanding.

At St Mary’s, we have chosen to follow the White Rose ‘Power Maths’ scheme, which supports the objectives of the National Curriculum and embraces the principle of the ‘Mastery’ approach to learning. Mastering Maths means acquiring a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject. At any one point in a pupil’s journey through school, achieving mastery is taken to mean acquiring a solid enough understanding of the maths that’s been taught to enable them move on to more advanced material. Please find more information about ‘Maths Mastery’ here.

Using ‘Power Maths’, in each year group, the curriculum is broken down into core concepts, taught in blocks. A block divides into smaller learning steps. Step by step, strong foundations of knowledge, skill and understanding are built.

Engaging visual resources are part of every lesson, as well as opportunities for mathematical discussions, practical activities, and investigations which challenge the children to apply their learning in a different way.

Using this scheme, children are able to work on their fluency in the fundamentals of maths, and are also given regular opportunities to solve problems using their mathematical knowledge, as well as activities where they can reason mathematically by following a line of enquiry, developing an argument, and using justification or proof, giving their explanations using mathematical language.

This Calculations Policy sets out the guidelines that we follow in teaching the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). As the children progress through the school, they will learn new ways of solving problems using a variety of different methods, in order to give them plenty of opportunity to find a process that works best for them.

English

Great importance is attached to enabling our children to become fluent readers. The school follows the progression of phonics through the Phonic Steps program. Reading comprehension skills are taught widely and children receive focused tuition in guided reading sessions each week. All the children are required to read independently on a regular basis. Their progress, as independent readers, is tracked through personal reading journals.  When children are confident and fluent they are encouraged to use the library regularly to change their books.

Children are taught to write in a variety of styles including prose, poetry and reporting, and to suit different purposes and audiences. The purpose and audience for children’s writing is central to our English program of study. As a child progresses, an increasing emphasis is placed on the correct use of spelling, grammar and punctuation. Spelling and grammar knowledge is taught each week and children are encouraged to apply taught spelling and grammar rules whenever they write. A whole school policy for handwriting is aimed at children progressing towards a cursive style and being able to write smoothly, legibly and neatly.

Speaking, listening and performing skills are promoted throughout the school through storytelling, discussion groups, drama lessons, and role play. Such opportunities, as well as whole school assemblies, provide a valuable means of building confidence and developing the ability to listen to, and appreciate the efforts of others.

Reading leaflet pdf 

Science

At St Mary’s Infant School, we are committed to delivering a high-quality, well-balanced science curriculum that inspires curiosity and a love of learning in all our pupils. To achieve this, we use the Developing Experts scheme to inform our planning and shape our resources, ensuring a structured and engaging approach to teaching science.

Overview

Our science curriculum is carefully mapped to align with both the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 (KS1). In the EYFS, children explore foundational topics such as food, minibeasts, animals, staying healthy and safe, using their senses, machines, and materials. These early experiences provide a springboard for the more detailed programme of study in KS1, which covers key areas including:

●     Materials

●     Living things and their habitats

●     Animals, including humans

●     Seasonal changes

●     Plants

Weekly Science Lessons

Key Stage 1 pupils enjoy a dedicated science lesson every week, designed to build their understanding progressively. Each lesson includes a focus on ‘working scientifically skills,’ encouraging pupils to engage in hands-on investigations and practical activities. These lessons foster curiosity and problem-solving abilities while promoting critical thinking through activities that challenge pupils to link scientific concepts to real-world applications.

Enriching the Learning Experience

To further enhance engagement and understanding, we incorporate high-quality video resources and fun science quizzes into our lessons. These tools help reinforce key concepts and make science an exciting part of the school week. Additionally, each lesson places a strong emphasis on:

●     Practising scientific vocabulary to help children articulate their ideas confidently.

●     Knowledge retrieval to reinforce prior learning and deepen understanding.

●     Activities designed to develop higher-order thinking skills, ensuring children are equipped to ask and answer complex questions.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Our science curriculum is enriched by off-site trips that provide immersive, real-world experiences. Visits to destinations such as The Aquarium in Portsmouth and Wisley Gardens allow children to explore scientific concepts in dynamic environments. Workshops with visiting groups further enhance learning by bringing in specialist expertise on topics such as farm animals, exotic animals, and even dog agility.

Through this diverse and engaging approach, we ensure that every child at St Mary’s Infant School develops a solid foundation in science, fostering a lifelong interest in exploring the natural world.

Foundation Subjects
These subjects, (history, geography, design and technology, art and music), are taught wherever possible through our thematic cross-curricular curriculum.  Music- Children are taught to sing as well as play instruments. The whole school is taught singing each week in assembly, and children in Year 2 are introduced to playing the recorder and have the opportunity to play the piano through the 'Surrey Arts' program.

Educational visits and visitors are arranged to enhance the children’s learning. All children have the opportunity to participate. We are fortunate in being adjacent to Frensham Common which we use for a range of educational purposes, often with the help of the Countryside Rangers.

Religious Education

At St Mary’s, Religious Education (RE) is a cornerstone of our curriculum, providing young learners with a rich foundation in understanding different faiths, values, and beliefs. As a Church school, our focus is on teaching Christianity at the heart of our RE curriculum, following the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education’s planning and guidelines. We celebrate key Christian festivals such as Christmas, Harvest, and Easter, helping children to understand their significance and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith. Alongside this, we also embrace learning about important celebrations from other world religions, such as Eid and Diwali, fostering a sense of respect, curiosity, and understanding of the diverse cultures and beliefs in our world. Through engaging stories, interactive lessons and hands-on activities, our students explore the key principles of major world religions, as well as developing their own sense of empathy, respect and spirituality. RE fosters an environment where children learn to appreciate diversity, reflect on big questions, and develop a sense of moral responsibility, helping them grow into thoughtful, compassionate individuals. Through these experiences, we nurture a spirit of love, kindness and inclusivity within our school community.

At St. Mary’s, our assembly and worship times are a central part of our school life, where we gather together as a school family to reflect, learn and grow. Each week, we explore whole-school themes that align with our Christian values: love, respect, honesty, humility, fairness, and forgiveness. These values are at the heart of everything we do, and we celebrate them through stories, songs and shared experiences.

Every week, Rev. Jane and a group of local parishioners visit to lead our Open the Book sessions, bringing Bible stories to life and helping children connect with the teachings of Christianity in a fun and engaging way. Singing assembly is a particular highlight, where we enjoy learning through music and song and is a much loved part of our assembly timetable.

Our Celebration Assembly on Fridays is a time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our pupils. Certificates are awarded for excellent work, good behaviour and demonstrating our school values. Children also add leaves to our Values Tree, marking when they’ve shown one of our core values. We love to celebrate special achievements shared by families as well, fostering a strong sense of belonging and pride in our school community.

Throughout the year, we also focus on a range of Christian and world faith celebrations, including Christmas, Easter, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Rosh Hashanah, Eid, Ramadan, and Anti-Bullying Week. We learn about these celebrations with respect and curiosity, fostering an understanding of different cultures and faiths. Our fundraising efforts, such as Children in Need and Comic Relief, teach the importance of charity and helping others.

Additionally, our school council representatives have the opportunity to lead assemblies, sharing their work and ideas with the school, which encourages leadership and responsibility. At St. Mary’s, assembly and worship time is a place where we celebrate, reflect and grow together as a community grounded in faith and kindness.

Sporting Aims

 We aim to instill in children:

• a love of sport

• a sense of achievement to enable them to take part with confidence

• a positive attitude which will help them now and in the future to lead happy, healthy lives

• a healthy competitive spirit, balanced by a team spirit and a sense of self-discipline,

• co-operation and respect for others

 At St Mary’s all children are taught skills in movement and co-ordination through Gymnastics, Games and Dance. Our annual Sports Day is a mixture of competitive team and individual events, and is a fun morning for all the family.

Our PE curriculum is taught by both our class teachers and games coaches.

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
We want all our pupils to do as well as they possibly can and to achieve their full potential. From the time children join St Mary’s School to the time they leave, we work closely with parents to make sure that their children have the support they need to learn. When children start school their teacher makes a thorough assessment of where they are in their development and then track their progress carefully. In this way we can identify any special educational needs early and provide appropriate support.

The Headteacher is the school’s SEND Co-ordinator, and there is one nominated Governor with responsibility for SEND. St Mary’s SEND policy is available in the school office for those who wish to read it. 

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
This is taught through Science and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). Should you have any concerns, please contact the school to discuss them.

Homework
During the first year of school the children will take home a reading book. We expect parents to support their child’s reading for about 10 minutes daily. During this time children will also start to take home words to learn to read which progresses to spellings. From time to time there might be further homework: for example, finding information concerning a particular topic that the class is studying. There is also MyMaths and Purple Mash online homework for Years 1 and 2.

At all times homework is there to complement the curriculum at school and should not interfere with the quality of children’s time at home.