Curriclum Overview - Whole School

At St. Stephen's, our guiding vision for education is rooted in the biblical verse, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Our intention is to provide a comprehensive and well-balanced curriculum that nurtures the complete development of each child inspired and motivated by this empowering verse. By the time a child leaves St. Stephen's, they will have engaged with a curriculum designed to foster essential skills such as problem-solving, effective communication, creativity, initiative, and adaptability.  

Our educational approach is grounded in delivering a diverse and enriching array of activities and experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. Our goal is to create opportunities for meaningful discussions, exploration, reflection, and evaluation, which not only inform but also deeply engage our students in their learning journey. Through these experiences, we aim to inspire and kindle their passions for the future, knowing that with faith and perseverance, they can achieve all things through Christ. 

We actively promote both independent and collaborative learning experiences, guiding children on their educational path. This approach allows them to build upon their existing skills while acquiring new knowledge and abilities, ultimately equipping them to become confident, resilient, lifelong learners, empowered by faith.  

In each year group, children explore three termly themes. Each thematic unit supports the delivery of the National Curriculum. Our aim is to link areas of learning and concepts for students, demonstrating how the skills they acquire can be transferred to conquer new challenges in the future.  

All year-groups from Reception to Year 5 take part in Forest School. This is a chance for our children to undertake outdoor learning experiences that are thoughtfully designed to boost children's confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills, whilst providing opportunities for children to take time to appreciate the wonders of nature.

At St. Stephen's, we use "Little Wandle - Letters and Sounds Revised" for phonics instruction in the Early Years and Key Stage 1, ensuring a strong foundation in language skills, underpinned by the knowledge that through Christ's strength, our students can overcome any challenges they encounter on their educational journey.

You can view our Curriculum Policy on our Policies page here.