In Middle School our curriculum aim is to deepen and extend pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world, using a framework for thinking and questioning informed by a Christian worldview. We give children space to explore further their identity as children of God and to develop their unique giftings and talents. We use the National Curriculum to set the expectations for the range and depth of knowledge and skills that should be taught at KS2 and KS3, while our teachers choose contexts for learning to help our pupils discover how their learning fits into the larger narrative as presented in Christian Scriptures. Through lessons, collective worship, form times and informal play times we actively seek to help our children grow in showing love, respect, kindness, tolerance and compassion to others.

• The Middle School curriculum is broad and balanced. Bible, PHSME, English and Maths remain core subjects in the Middle School curriculum and children also receive weekly lessons in Science, History and Geography, French, Art, Design & Technology, Computing, Music, Swimming and PE. Pupils in Year 8 receive Food Technology lessons. Pupils in Year 6 and above take part in Communication Skills lessons centred around the performance arts and the development of presentation and listening skills. Across the Middle School curriculum teachers foster an understanding of other cultures and faiths and nurture pupils’ respect for people from diverse backgrounds.
• Developing strong literacy and numeracy skills remains core, building on the foundations laid in Lower School. The Jolly Grammar scheme and the Abacus Maths scheme continue to be used until Year 6. In Year 7, 8 & 9 English, pupils follow a bespoke curriculum developed in-school by subject specialists, which tracks the National Curriculum knowledge and skills for Key Stage 3.
• Throughout Middle School, literary texts are carefully chosen both for literary quality and for themes and content which support pupils’ developing understanding of human experience and the world around them, with Christian perspectives woven through the related curriculum activities. We consciously select texts that reflect some of the cultural and ethnic diversity in the school community. Texts are read and studied in their entirety to help develop engagement and enjoyment of literature.
• Middle School pupils are encouraged to serve their school community, including supporting younger pupils in classroom and playground contexts. Middle School pupils experience democracy in action when they vote for Y8 leaders to become Middle School House and Vice Captains and serve on the Student Council. Representatives from different year groups participate in regular pupil voice focus groups.
• In Middle School pupils are encouraged to recognise and understand their gifts and talents, and are encouraged to pursue those aspects that make them unique. As part of our whole school approach to careers education, all Middle School pupils experience a programme of visits from outside speakers who talk about their work and calling. From Y7 pupils receive more focused careers education, culminating in our unique Y8 work and calling course, which enables pupils and parents to think and talk together about their individual learning plan, leading to a bespoke learning programme that will develop their individual interests and talents.
• In Y8 all pupils undertake a ‘Bar Mitzvah’ type course which prepares them for transition from childhood to young adulthood, with its greater level of responsibility and opportunity. By the end of Y8 we believe the young people are ready to make their own decision about whether they want to continue their education at CFS. We actively encourage them to decide for themselves if the ethos of honest questioning about matters of faith and morals and commitment to Christian service is one that they wish to embrace and engage with in Upper School.
• Through the subject of Computing we aim to teach a progressive set of skills that enable all the children to become competent and confident users of ICT and to understand the principles of computer science. Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe online through various learning opportunities, including an annual focus during Safer Internet Day and lessons every September focusing on the school’s Acceptable Use agreement.
• Teaching is adapted to meet the needs of all learners, with support for pupils with SEND as well as extended learning and challenge for high achievers. Curriculum activities are planned to develop each cohort as a learning community, with pupils developing social learning skills such as project collaboration and constructive peer criticism.
• During their time in Middle School pupils take part in a programme of trips and visits which gives them a taste of the wider world. They will also take part in two residential outdoor activities programmes to develop independence, resilience and class cohesion.
• The planning of the curriculum in some subjects is based around a rolling programme to ensure coverage of art, design and technology subjects by children in all classes.
• PE is taught each term, with a different focus each half term with boys and girls engaging together in the same planned activities. An important feature of the Middle School PE curriculum is our swimming programme that ensures that all pupils learn how to stay safe in water and to swim for pleasure.
• We value the role of modern foreign languages in the curriculum and French is taught throughout Middle School from Year 4 to Year 8.

When pupils leave Middle School to go to Upper School at the end of Year 8, they should be equipped with the full range of skills and aptitudes that enables them to become lifelong learners. Through the broad range of opportunities they have received, they are also ready to hone and develop particular skills and interests through their choice of Flexi-Ed subjects towards the end of year 8.