Our Curriculum at St Nicholas

At St Nicholas, our curriculum is guided by our school vision: Becoming the Best We Can Be (Genesis 1:31). We believe every child deserves a learning journey that nurtures their mind, body and spirit, helping them grow into thoughtful learners, active participants and caring members of their community.

We create a structured, inclusive and nurturing environment where children flourish. Our curriculum is rooted in Christian values and a commitment to high standards, and it fosters:

• Flourishing Minds – through communication, creativity and a love of learning
• Flourishing Bodies – through physical activity, emotional awareness and personal growth
• Flourishing Spirits – by living well together and exploring the spiritual dimension of life

Our curriculum is shaped by Development Matters and the National Curriculum for England and Wales. We place high importance on strong foundations. From the earliest stages, children develop secure knowledge and skills that support future learning and help them understand what it means to be a learner. These foundations give every child the confidence to take on new challenges and grow as a successful learner.

To ensure purposeful progression and clarity across year groups, we use carefully selected schemes of work. These provide consistency while allowing teachers to focus on what matters most: creating meaningful and enriching experiences for every child.

Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception)

In the Early Years, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum guided by Development Matters, which builds firm foundations for future learning. While play, exploration and guided experiences remain central, there is also a clear focus on the critical building blocks such as communication, early reading and early mathematics. These foundations support our children to be ready for the next step in their learning journey.

Learning takes place indoors and outdoors, with purposeful activities that strengthen communication, problem-solving and relationships. Adults model language, introduce new ideas and guide children to practise key skills in meaningful contexts. This balanced approach ensures children grow in confidence, curiosity and independence while securing the strong start that underpins later success.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

As children move into Key Stage 1, the curriculum becomes more structured while still allowing space for discovery and creativity. Pupils study:

• English and Maths through engaging, progressive schemes
• Science, History, Geography, Art, DT, Computing, PSHE, Music and PE through a topic-based approach
• PE with specialist sports coaching and enrichment opportunities such as skateboarding workshops to build confidence and perseverance.

Learning is enhanced by access to our dedicated library, class iPads and Chromebooks, outdoor learning spaces, and resource areas for small group work.