St Mary’s Primary School delivers a broadly based and appropriately balanced curriculum in line with the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum to all classes. Our curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development of all pupils. Consistent and appropriate planning ensures that this curriculum is delivered in a way which is best suited to the pupil’s age, aptitude and ability in order to help prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The school will aim to provide a happy and secure atmosphere in which the children can learn effectively. It is also the aim of the school to maximise the potential of each pupil, to develop self confidence in the pupils and to promote a spirit of tolerance towards others. The curriculum will be so designed that the desire to learn will be encouraged in all pupils and that thinking and reasoning will be stimulated. All children are encouraged to work to the best of their ability and where required, reasonable adjustments are made to ensure maximum access to the curriculum for children who have a physical disability.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum is set out in six Areas of Learning:

Language and Literacy

Language & Literacy includes:

• Talking & Listening
• Reading
• Writing

In St Mary’s we strive to develop children's literacy skills through a wide range of purposeful  activities so that they may interact effectively with the world around them, express themselves creatively and communicate confidently.

Children's language and literacy experiences take place within a rich and stimulating environment. The school encourages interaction and promotes communication as a tool for learning.

Mr McCann is the school's Literacy Co-ordinator.

A copy of the school's ‘Language & Literacy Policy' is available from the school on request.

Mathematics and Numeracy

Mathematics & Numeracy includes:

1. Processes
2. Number
3. Measures
4. Shape and Space
5. Handling Data

In St Mary’s we strive to develop children's numeracy skills so that they may use and apply mathematics in practical tasks, real-life situations and within mathematics itself.

Our pupils engage in a wide range of purposeful activities which involve them in different modes of mathematical learning, including playing, exploring and investigating, doing and observing, talking and listening, asking questions, reflecting, drafting, reading and recording.

Bn Ui Neill is the school's Numeracy Co-ordinator.

A copy of the school's ‘Mathematics & Numeracy Policy' is available from the school on request.

The Arts

The Arts includes:

• Art & Design
• Music
• Drama

In St Mary’s we recognise that children’s creative, expressive and physical development is closely linked to all aspects of their learning. Children are therefore given opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of art and design, music, movement, dance, dramatic and role-play activities.

The World Around Us

The World Around Us comprises three elements:

• Science & Technology
• History
• Geography

In St Mary’s, we help children to make greater sense of the world around them, develop a thorough understanding and appreciation of the past and understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to their environment. Children cover topics within these four strands:

• Interdependence
• Movement and Energy
• Place
• Change over time

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU)

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding focuses on encouraging each child to:

• become personally, emotionally and socially effective;
• lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives;
• become confident, independent and responsible citizens;
• make informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives.

In St Mary’s children are encouraged to form positive relationships with adults and other children, and to develop their self-esteem and confidence. They learn to develop tolerance, respect and open-mindedness when working with others.

Physical Education

Physical Education includes:

• Athletics
• Dance
• Games
• Gymnastics
• Swimming (P5-P7)

In St Marys we focus on the development of fundamental movement skills to support children's physical development and long-term health and well-being. We strive to improve children's co-ordination, locomotion, control, balance and manipulation skills. We encourage them to gain confidence and self-esteem and to feel the benefits of being healthy and active. We also avail of specialist coaching to complement the school's P.E. programme.

At the heart of curriculum lies and explicit emphasis on the development of skills and capabilities for lifelong learning. Through opportunities to engage in active learning context across all areas of the curriculum, children should progressively develop:

Cross Curricular Skills:

• Communication
• Using Mathematics
• Using Information and Communication Technology

Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities

• Thinking, problem solving and Decision Making
• Self Management
• Working with others
• Managing Information
• Being Creative

Additional information on all aspects of the curriculum can be obtained from www.nicurriculum.org.uk.

Religious Education

As a Catholic school, our ethos pervades all aspects of school life. Living as God would want us to is at the centre of all that we do.

With parents as the first educators of their child, we build on the foundations set down in each Catholic home. Our Catholic values enable us to educate all the children in a safe, secure, happy environment where all adults and each child is treated with respect and valued in a spirit of Christian love.

St Mary’s is the only Catholic Maintained school  in the parish of Pomeroy and together as home, school and parish we are united in passing on the Catholic faith and traditions. We follow the ‘Alive O' programme from P1 to P7 which strengthens spiritual life and develops in the children a loving, caring attitude towards each other, as well as fostering a deepening and personal relationship with God. Each day we ask God to be part of our lives through our prayers, which is an integral part of school life, alongside scheduled R.E. lessons and class prayer services

Assessment & Standards

Knowing how your child is doing at school is important to you as parents. In St Mary’s assessment is closely linked to the curriculum and all children are constantly assessed both formally and informally to give teachers and parents a clear idea of progress.

Teachers use a range of assessment strategies and these include:

• Class tests
• Oral questioning
• Written class work
• Practical work
• Teacher judgement
• Standardised tests
• Computer based assessments

Ongoing Assessment and the Annual Report

The Department of Education sets certain requirements for assessing children and reporting to parents.

As indicated, teachers in St Mary’s carefully monitor your child's progress  throughout the school year. As parents, you are at all times kept fully informed at both formal and informal meetings.

The school will assess and report annually on your child's progress in:

• Areas of Learning;
• Cross-Curricular Skills
• Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities.

End of Key Stage Assessment

If your child is in P4 or P7 (i.e. at the end of a Key Stage), you will receive the results of their ‘End of Key Stage Assessment' in Communication, Using Mathematics and Using ICT at the end of that school year. The overall results for the school inform parents of the school's standards as presented within the ‘Annual Report of the Board of Governors'.

Annual Report

The Department of Education sets basic requirements for assessing your child and reporting to you. These are called 'Statutory Arrangements' and they include the Annual Report which you will receive by 30th June, whichever year group your child is in.