St John's Whole School Curriculum
We aim to provide an education that goes beyond academics, nurturing knowledgeable, articulate, and inspired individuals who can make a positive difference in their community and the wider world. By offering a safe and supportive environment, we help every child “live life in all its fullness” and grow into compassionate, hopeful, and kind global citizens.
Please click on the link below for a document detailing the whole school curriculum at St John Baptist Primary:
Whole School Curriculum Overview Document
At St John's we know that children learn best when they are aware of the learning process. Across the school we use ‘Learning Powers’ that link directly to our Curriculum Vision and help children know what effective learning looks like.
We want our children to remember what we have taught them so that they can make links and build webs of knowledge. For many of our wider curriculum subjects, we have knowledge organisers which provide children, parents/carers, and practitioners with the core knowledge and key subject-specific vocabulary we want the children to remember.
At St. John’s, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant, inclusive, and values-driven Church of England school where every individual is encouraged to flourish and become a “shining light” in the world. Our vision, inspired by Matthew 5:15-17, reminds us to “let our light shine before others,” reflecting our commitment to nurturing each child’s potential. Central to our ethos are the Christian values of Faith, Hope, and Love, which guide every aspect of school life.
Our curriculum is values-based and language rich in response to the changing community we serve.
At St John’s we are unique in our approach to children’s learning; not only does our curriculum encompass the statutory National Curriculum, but also other vital elements of learning which aim to make learning irresistible to children and provide for each child a holistic approach that nurtures the whole child. These elements are:
- Values Education - In 2015, we were awarded the Values Education kite mark for the values curriculum and ethos that we provide. We have 11 Value Words which form the basis of our assemblies and worship and also contribute to a number of values-based projects the children experience. These values are: Love, Thankfulness, Peace, Hope, Self-Control, Honesty, Humility, Forgiveness, Courage, Empathy and Faith. They are the big ideas which guide our decisions and provide a moral compass so that we can lead effective lives. We encourage the children (and ourselves as staff members) to talk about them, reflect on them, embody them and live them out in every area of our lives. The children are encouraged to use them at home and we include the parents in our values education too, teaching and speaking about the values with the families of our school.
- Programme of Cultural Entitlement – Every child is entitled to a rich learning experience which is enhanced by termly trips which allow children to be immersed in the topic and visit a site of cultural importance. We feel privileged to be a London school and we make the most of the city’s rich culture, heritage and resources. These experiences are pre-planned and enhance our Irresistible Curriculum.
- Links to local community – Interwoven into the initial curriculum is a thorough programme of alternative learning experiences such as links with: a local hospice, a local special school, a sailing centre etc.
For more information about our school's curriculum, please see the overview above or email: admin@sjb.lewisham.sch.uk