At St Francis we want pupils to learn through exciting and varied learning experiences that deepen their knowledge and promotes a sense of enjoyment and curiosity of the subject. At St Francis learning is connected and builds pupils’ essential knowledge and skills allowing the children to be able numerate citizens that can reason mathematically, are fluent in mathematics, can solve mathematical problems and successfully access the next stage in their education.

At St Francis, pupils will develop use the enjoyment of the English language and its literature, communicated orally, visually, and in writing, for a range of purposes and audiences and in a variety of text forms. We aim to provide a high-quality education in English that will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.

Through reading, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. We aim for all pupils to leave St Francis with the skills of language that are essential to participating fully as a member of society.

At St. Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy, we aim for the children to have a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think scientifically, to gain an understanding of scientific processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of science today and for the future.  All children are encouraged to develop and use a range of skills including observations, planning and investigations, as well as being encouraged to question the world around them and become independent learners in exploring possible answers for their scientific based questions.

At St Francis pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of Christianity as a living world faith and consider the impact and connection that Christianity has on Britain’s cultural heritage and the lives of people worldwide. They will be encouraged to explore the big questions of life, meaning and purpose and to think theologically. Pupils will have knowledge and understanding of other major world religions engaging thoughtfully with other faiths and traditions. They will reflect on their own religious, spiritual and/or philosophical convictions and develop a sense of themselves as unique and precious.

At St Francis, children will understand musical concepts through a hands-on approach. They will view music as a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Pupils will have developed a love of music and be talented musicians, with increased self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement. Pupils will critically engage with music, having composed, and listened to a wide range of musical genres.

At the end of their time at St Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy we aim for the children to use art to stimulate their creativity, imagination and inventiveness. They will be able to use the skills, knowledge and concepts they have learnt to express their responses to ideas and experiences.  But, most of all art will enable the children to communicate what they see, feel and think.

At St. Francis children will be creative thinkers and have the skills and knowledge to undertake purposeful design projects. Pupils will identify the necessary knowledge and skills that transfer across to other subjects. Through their understanding of the designing process, pupils will be more resilient, resourceful and reflective as they evaluate their own work. Pupils will be able to recount how past designers, and the development of technology, have created and shaped the world we live in.

At the end of their time at St Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy we aim for the children to be; digitally literate using and selecting a range of different technologies to express themselves and develop ideas through technology. They will be able to create programmes, process information and process data.  But, most of all, they will be able to keep themselves safe online.

At the end of their time at St Francis Catholic and Church of England Academy we aim for the children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives.  They will have the qualities and attributes needed to thrive as individuals, family members and members of the community.  They will be prepared to face the challenges and responsibilities that growing up on an island in such a rapidly changing and challenging world brings.  They will connect and apply the knowledge and understanding to practical, real-life situations while helping them to feel safe and secure enough to fulfil their full potential.

Spanish introduces children to other cultures and deepens their understanding of the world. Pupils will be able to express their ideas and thoughts in another language and understand and respond to native speakers. 

The study of geography enables our children to see that our world is what we make it. They will learn about the diversity of the world around them: on their doorstep, around their country and further afield, in comparing countries from around the world. 

As an academy, we aim to deliver an aspirational curriculum offering opportunities for our children to explore and lead their learning with courage. 

Our education thrives to build character - developing our pupils, their skills and well-being, and to further social justice - making learning accessible and inspirational to all and ensuring everyone has the chance to succeed. 

Geography enables this by celebrating the world outside the window. It opens doors to the natural beauty seen every day and the forgotten gems within walking distance as well as those which are further away – locally, nationally and globally. Geography offers a window into their lives – connecting familiar and contrasting ideas. To fulfil this, we will prioritise our homes, our community, our island and most of all, ourselves. 

We will explore the diversity of features: human, physical and geographical in our environment and compare these to others.  

The study of history invites our children to learn about the people and of the past, enabling them to reflect upon and analyse them (individuals, societies, leaders and empires) and how they shaped the world in which we live, the legacy they left and the cultures, democracies and settlements they informed. 

As an academy, we aim to deliver an aspirational curriculum offering opportunities for our children to explore and lead their learning with courage. Our education thrives to build character - developing our pupils, their skills and well-being, and to further social justice - making learning accessible and inspirational to all and ensuring everyone has the chance to succeed. 

History enables this by sharing a large body of knowledge, encompassing their locality and demonstrating how diverse societies are and how individuals have and can make a difference and impact the lives of others. It supports the children to confidently explore controversial and relevant issues from the past which have and do impact the present. To fulfil this, we will prioritise the impact of history on our lives and community, through significant individuals and events in both British and World history because this allows the children to develop their own views and opinions on how our society has been changed by the past concluding with a broader understanding of peoples’ lives, identity, diversity and change. 

 At St Francis children will succeed and excel in competitive sport and other physically demanding activities.  Pupils will be physically confident, understand their health and fitness needs and embody the academy values whilst engaged in sporting activities  Children will have acquired a wide range of skills across a variety of physical activities.

Intent:  We want our children to be:

• Ready to learn: Children have a positive, confident attitude to learning.  They are both physically and emotionally ready to learn.
• Independent: Children show initiative, are independent in choosing and finding resources and use a variety of strategies to learn.
• Reflective: Children are curious, able and willing to learn from their mistakes. They know what they are good at and help others.
• Resilient: Children are prepared to persevere and stay involved in their learning, even when the process is challenging.