Curriculum

English is a central part of life at St Mary’s. We want every child to become a confident reader, thoughtful writer and articulate speaker. Through engaging lessons, pupils develop the skills to write with accuracy, creativity and purpose.

Children enjoy writing stories, poems, letters, reports and diaries, giving them experience of writing for a range of audiences and purposes. Grammar, punctuation and spelling are taught alongside writing. Opportunities for public speaking are woven throughout school life, from classroom discussions to our regular Praying Together Services and school productions, helping every child develop confidence when speaking in front of an audience.

Reading develops throughout each child’s journey at St Mary’s. In the Early Years, children build strong foundations through our systematic phonics programme, developing the confidence to read with fluency and enjoyment. As they move through the school, they explore increasingly rich and challenging texts, discovering new authors and making links across subjects such as history, geography and science. Regular visits to our welcoming library and events such as World Book Day encourage a genuine enjoyment of reading and help children discover books they will remember long after they leave St Mary’s.

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Mathematics at St Mary’s is built on a secure understanding of number and a belief that every child can succeed. Following the White Rose mastery approach, pupils are encouraged to explain their thinking, solve problems and develop confidence as mathematicians.

In the Early Years and Lower School, children use practical resources and visual models to help them understand new concepts before moving on to more abstract methods. As they progress through the school, they become increasingly confident in applying their knowledge to reasoning, problem solving and more complex mathematical challenges.

Pupils are encouraged to think carefully, explain their methods and tackle unfamiliar questions with resilience. Lessons develop fluency alongside understanding, helping girls to become accurate and confident mathematicians.

Beyond the classroom, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a range of national competitions. Girls in Years 3 and 4 enter the First Mathematical Challenge, Year 5 pupils compete in the Primary Mathematics Challenge, and our Upper School Scholastica team represents the school in the UKMT Team Mathematics Challenge.

By the time they leave St Mary’s, our pupils have a secure understanding of mathematics, the confidence to tackle new challenges and an enjoyment of the subject that stays with them.

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STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) is at the heart of learning at St Mary’s. It encourages curiosity, creativity and problem solving, giving every child the confidence to ask questions, test ideas and learn from the process.

Each week, pupils in Years 1-6 enjoy dedicated STEAM lessons in our Global Learning Centre, where ideas become reality. From coding and robotics to virtual reality, green screen technology and 3D printing, girls use industry standard technology as part of their everyday learning.

STEAM projects grow in challenge as pupils move through the school. Younger children might investigate life cycles or design weatherproof shelters, while older pupils carry out scientific enquiries, create 3D printed Moon base prototypes inspired by NASA’s Artemis mission, or wire Victorian doll’s houses with working electrical circuits.

Learning extends beyond the classroom through clubs and competitions. Pupils take part in our Interhouse STEAM Day, compete in the First Lego League robotics tournament and the NXTLVL Problem Solving Olympiad, and explore the natural world through our Mother Nature Science Club.

At St Mary’s, STEAM inspires girls to think creatively, solve problems with confidence and develop the skills they need for the future.

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Religious Education plays an important role in life at St Mary’s. Guided by the new Religious Education Directory, To Know You Are Known, pupils develop a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith while exploring the beliefs, traditions and values that shape our world.

From the Early Years through to Year 6, children build their knowledge through engaging lessons, discussion and reflection. As pupils move into the Upper School, their studies become increasingly theological, encouraging them to ask deeper questions, consider different perspectives and think critically about faith and morality. Alongside Christianity, pupils learn about other world religions and worldviews, including Islam, Judaism and Hinduism, helping them develop respect for different beliefs and cultures. Workshops and enrichment activities bring this learning to life, giving children the opportunity to learn from people of different faiths and traditions. Catholic Social Teaching encourages pupils to think about justice, compassion and how they can make a positive difference to others.

Prayer and worship are woven into the rhythm of each school day. Children take part in whole school liturgies, Masses, sacramental preparation and pupil-led worship, while the liturgical year is marked through celebrations such as Advent, Lent and Marian devotions. Opportunities including the Arrupe Club and our school councils encourage girls to lead, serve others and put their faith into action.

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Our creative curriculum brings history and geography together through exciting topics that help pupils make connections across their learning. Each term, children in Years 1 to 6 explore a new theme, developing historical and geographical knowledge while building skills in research, discussion, writing and presentation.

Learning is designed to be hands on and memorable. Every topic begins with an engaging introduction and builds towards a final project that allows pupils to apply what they have learned. Whether stepping into the Amazon rainforest using virtual reality, investigating ancient civilisations or exploring life in different parts of the world, children are encouraged to ask questions, think critically and share their ideas with confidence.

By making links across subjects, the creative curriculum helps pupils see the bigger picture, deepen their understanding and develop a genuine curiosity about the world around them.

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French is introduced from the very beginning at St Mary’s through fun, interactive lessons that spark a love of languages. In Nursery, children enjoy songs, rhymes and French picture books, while Reception pupils look forward to lessons with our friendly French speaking bear, Camembear.

As pupils move through the school, they build their vocabulary and confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in the target langugage. They learn about French grammar in an age-appropriate way, while developing the skills to hold conversations, express opinions and write with increasing accuracy. Alongside the language itself, children also explore the traditions and celebrations of France and other French speaking countries, making comparisons with their own experiences and learning about different cultures.

French is brought to life through a range of memorable experiences, including performances by a visiting French theatre company and study and ski trips where pupils can use their language skills in real situations. In Year 6, girls also enjoy an introductory term of Spanish to support their move to senior school, while Little Linguist Spanish and German clubs provide further opportunities to develop a love of languages.

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Physical Education is an important part of life at St Mary’s. With excellent facilities, including our astro pitch and indoor sports hall, pupils enjoy a wide range of sporting opportunities throughout the year.

From the Early Years to Year 6, children take part in lessons that develop movement, coordination, teamwork and game skills across a variety of sports. They are encouraged to challenge themselves, work together and enjoy being active, whether they are trying a new activity or representing the school in competition.

St Mary’s has a proud sporting tradition, with pupils achieving success across a range of local and regional competitions. A wide range of clubs and squads gives every child the opportunity to develop their skills, while our busy fixture programme allows girls to represent the school regularly with pride. We are also proud to host local football and cricket tournaments, welcoming schools from across the area and strengthening links within our sporting community.

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Music is an important part of life at St Mary’s. From the Early Years onwards, pupils develop their musical skills through singing, composition, listening and instrumental work, while exploring a wide range of musical styles. Singing features throughout the school day in music lessons, hymn practice and performances, helping children develop confidence and enjoy making music together.

Many pupils choose to extend their learning through individual peripatetic lessons in singing, violin, flute, recorder and piano, as well as clubs including string ensemble, choirs and music technology. There are many opportunities to perform, from our informal half-termly Cake Concerts to larger events such as the annual Carol Concert at St John’s, Hampstead. Pupils also have the opportunity to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican and share their music with the local community through our Age UK Camden afternoon tea concert.

Drama is equally valued at St Mary’s and plays an important role across the curriculum. Every child has opportunities to perform, whether in class assemblies, liturgies or school productions. Recent Year 6 productions have included Mary Poppins, Shrek the Musical and Finding Nemo Junior, alongside the Year 3 Easter production and the Year 4 Pentecost play. These experiences help children develop confidence, teamwork and a love of performing.

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Growth is our personal, social, health and relationships education curriculum. It helps children develop the knowledge, confidence and values they need to make positive choices, build healthy relationships and understand themselves and others.

Lessons are interactive and encourage discussion, role play and reflection, giving pupils the confidence to ask questions and share their ideas in a safe and supportive environment. As children move through the school, they explore topics including friendships, wellbeing, online safety, diversity, relationships and growing up in an age-appropriate way. Our programme is supported by Ten:Ten resources and reflects the values at the heart of St Mary’s.

Learning is enriched through events including Anti-Bullying Week, Black History Month, Internet Safety initiatives, Careers Week and our International Food Fair. These opportunities encourage children to celebrate diversity, think about the world around them and put our school values into practice each day. In this way, the Growth curriculum helps pupils live out our mission statement by ensuring that spiritual and moral principles are reflected in everyday life.

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Art encourages every child to explore ideas, experiment with different materials and develop their own creative style. Through drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media, pupils build their skills while studying the work of a wide range of artists.

Children are encouraged to take creative risks, reflect on their work and refine their ideas as they develop. Art is often linked to topics from the creative curriculum, allowing pupils to respond creatively to themes they are exploring in subjects such as history and geography and make connections across their learning.

The school year ends with our much-anticipated Art Fair, where every pupil has the opportunity to exhibit work created throughout the year. It is a wonderful celebration of creativity and a chance for children to share their achievements with family and friends.

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Computing gives pupils the knowledge and confidence to use technology safely, creatively and effectively. From the Early Years onwards, children develop a wide range of digital skills, from creating simple programs and digital artwork to coding, animation and problem solving.

As pupils move through the school, they learn how computers work, develop programming skills using Scratch and Python, create digital content and explore topics such as data, networks and cyber safety. Online safety is an important part of the curriculum and is taught in every year group, helping children make informed and responsible choices whenever they use technology.

Learning extends beyond the classroom through computing and robotics clubs, where pupils can experiment, design and build using a range of technologies. Every year, the whole school also takes part in the Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge, an international competition that develops logical thinking and problem solving while giving pupils the opportunity to measure their skills against others around the world.

With the support of our dedicated Director of Innovation and our outstanding facilities in the Global Learning Centre, computing at St Mary’s prepares pupils to use technology with confidence, curiosity and creativity.

Curriculum Map