The school's general aim of education is to enlarge a child's knowledge, experience and imaginative understanding, whilst at the same time increasing awareness of God and moral values.

All children are encouraged to reach their full potential, whatever their own particular abilities may be. We seek to ensure that the child is ready to enter into the world after formal education is completed as an active contributor to society whilst serving God and having respect for others and creation.

a) Spiritual - to give the child a knowledge and love of God through the teachings and pastoral care of the Roman Catholic Church.

b) Moral - to give the child through (a) above, and through example, a respect of our neighbours, our environment and our possessions.

c) Language - to enable the child to be literate in reading and writing. This will foster enjoyment and the tools to expand all other aspects of the Curriculum (including technological innovations).

d) Mathematics - to provide the adequate 'tools' and skills of numeracy and experience the subject area as a 'language'.

f) History & Geography - through the teaching of these subjects the child will learn
i) various language skills
ii) an awareness of his ancestors
iii) an awareness of his environment, near and far

thus enabling him to understand his present society in full context.

g) Technology - to enable the child to assess our surroundings, to solve problems and to plan and evaluate projects, at the same time acquiring those necessary skills which will serve him/her in later years.

h) Information Technology - to give opportunities to the child to learn through modern retrieval and storage systems. This process will permeate through all subject areas. It is not a means in itself.

i) Art / Design, Music, P.E. - our approach at St. Giles' is to the 'whole child' - teaching and learning through an integrated approach. The three remaining subjects here enable the child to exqerience and enjoy those aspects of learning which complete the whole programme.

The curriculum followed at St. Giles is the National Curriculum. We follow the National Guidelines in all the subjects listed above. The children are continually assessed both by teachers and in Standard Assessment Tests (SATs).

The curriculum planning of teaching and learning at St. Giles' enables progression from 4 years until 11 years. The Reception Year is a vital preparation year for National Curriculum achievement. All nine subjects are covered in this year leading to full involvement from Y1 to Y2. This Key Stage 1 covers all nine subjects and the approach is an integrated one with cross-curricular themes being followed in the three classes.

The Key Stage 2 classes follow more subject bases in class curriculum content. There is some specialist teaching but mostly this is done by the general class teacher.

The advance planning enables staff to prepare schemes and topics which are co-ordinated, follow sensible progression and show continuity of approach. Key Stage planning meetings are held regularly and whole staff meetings enable subject co-ordinators to effect good teaching for all the pupils.

We feel that our method of teaching and learning enables all the children to reach their full potential. Our schemes of work and meticulous planning ensure that vital progression is maintained with the individual child able to proceed at hislher own pace.

Commercially produced materials help us to deliver the curriculum in some subjects. Reading is monitored and the children are encouraged to take home their reading books.

Volunteer helpers are welcome each day, either to listen to children read or to support the Class Teachers in any activity. Those who do come in regularly enjoy the involvement and find it very rewarding contributing to the children's progress in this way.

There are opportunities too, for volunteers in our extensive garden projects, or on the playing fields.