Introduction
At the heart of our school is a high quality curriculum which is designed so that students are nurtured to flourish and challenged to grow. It is underpinned by our Core Values of Faith, Justice, Truth, Responsibility and Compassion.
We want students to value learning, develop their individual talents and strive for excellence within a curriculum which meets their needs now, and prepares them well for the future. Our intent (below) explains our aspiration for every young person in our care.
Our Intent
At Bishop Stopford School, our aim is that every student should realise his or her unique potential. Our Christian ethos and core values are expressed in all that we do: the culture is articulated through highly productive relationships and there is a strong sense of identity and belonging. As a result, our curriculum nurtures and challenges, prioritises individual worth and social cohesion, and fosters independence and interdependence. Character development goes hand in hand with our striving for academic excellence. We want students to leave us happy and healthy, with a strong moral compass as well as with qualifications which have integrity.
Aspiration underpins our curriculum: it is designed so that no student is left behind or left out because of social, learning or other disadvantage. Both the taught and the wider curriculum are carefully planned to ensure that not only our students' basic skills secured, but they provide the foundation for future success. We aim to develop highly literate, numerate and knowledgeable learners who are creative, self-regulating and resilient. They have opportunities to develop depth as well as breadth, and because they are socially equipped, they can engage confidentially with the wider world.
Underpinning Principles
- Leadership of the curriculum is active, reflective and research-informed.
- Our curriculum is unapologetically academic and knowledge-driven, ensuring Bishop Stopford students are engaged and thoughtful learners.
- Our curriculum is holistic: the spiritual, social and moral imperatives are as strong as the academic.
- Key Stage 3 lasts for Years 7-9 to allow the range of subjects to be studied and to build secure foundations for the two-year GCSE programmes of study.
- Curriculum is structured to ensure effective progression through the key stages and beyond school to further study or employment.
- Our curriculum enables all learners to progress, through development of a rich language base and challenge in every lesson.