Teaching & Learning

Our teachers are committed to teaching each pupil to fully develop their talents and aptitudes to the fullest.

The curriculum is a broad and balanced one taught within the Catholic ethos of the school. The curriculum is challenging and rigorous. Pupils will learn good habits of work, develop their intellectual, moral and spiritual skills to emerge as well-educated, responsible and Catholic citizens, both of their communities and the wider world.

Pupils are taught using a variety of methods including whole class teaching, group work and on a one-to-one basis. Teachers are very conscious that every child matters and adapt their teaching methods accordingly. The school actively promotes the National Curriculum aims to foster independent learning.

Assessment is regular, objective and an integral part of learning allowing the pupil and the teacher to identify strengths as well as areas for development, thereby motivating the pupil to see how progress can be achieved.

The school has adopted Assessment for Learning which involves teacher, peer and self assessment in order to enhance learning. All these approaches aim to ensure that all pupils achieve their academic potential.

Staff development is of great importance and all staff are highly valued. The support staff are a large and vital part of the school who provide a high standard of work which all contributes to the pupils’ success.

Growth Mindset

At Saint Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School, we know that pupils who have a positive attitude towards their learning will make good progress and be successful. Consequently, instilling all our pupils with ‘growth mindsets’ has become a key priority for the school. We have introduced the theories of Dr Carol Dweck to staff and pupils and are determined to embed its ideas within our school ethos. 

We want all our pupils to relish challenges, embrace their mistakes as part of the learning process, value the importance of effort, respond carefully to feedback and take inspiration from others. This will help them to achieve, not only with us, but also in their future lives as adults.