It is the policy of the Board of Governors of St. Joseph’s Primary School that, in accordance with its Catholic Ethos, a balanced and broadly based curriculum which promotes their spiritual, moral, cultural, intellectual and physical development, will be offered to all pupils, thus ensuring their full entitlement under the Northern Ireland Curriculum.  Through the Areas of Learning and contributory elements, a broad and balanced curriculum will be provided for each child.

 

The NI Curriculum primary curriculum is made up of Religious Education plus the following Areas of Learning:

 

Foundation Stage: P1-P2:

• Language and Literacy
• Mathematics and Numeracy
• The Arts
• The World Around Us
• Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
• Physical Development and Movement

 

Key Stage 1: P3-P4 & Key Stage 2: P5-P7

• Language and Literacy
• Mathematics and Numeracy
• The Arts
• The World Around Us
• Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
• Physical Education

Contributory Elements:

 

Cross-Curricular Skills:

• Communication
• Using Mathematics
• Using Information and Communications Technology

 

Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities:

• Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
• Self-Management
• Working with Others
• Managing Information
• Being Creative

 

Religious Education

Our school community is centred on the presence of Christ among its members.  The example and values of Jesus Christ permeate all the relationships within the school and beyond it.

Religious education is central to the everyday life of St. Joseph’s Primary School and embodies everything that we do as teachers and pupils.  Religious education is based on Diocesan Policy and the Alive-O Series.  The Diocesan Advisors play an important role in the promotion of religious education within the school, as does our Parish Priest. The school will, in partnership with the parish, instruct children in their preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation and Feast Days, Holy Days, Lent, Christmas and Easter.  The school aims to be an extension of, and a complement to the Catholic home, and places a high priority on fostering involvement in the parish and in the community at large.

Our R.E. programme, based on the ‘Grow in Love’ series goes beyond the requirements of the core R.E. syllabus agreed by the main churches.  It prepares each child for participation in the liturgy and sacraments of the Catholic Church.  Religious Education is not confined to the timetabled programme within the school but pervades the whole life of our school.

The Board of Governors recognise the right of parents under Article 21(5) of the 1986 Order to have their child excused, in whole or in part, from attending religious education or collective worship or both.

Shared Education

All our pupils actively participate in our Shared Education Programme, with our neighbouring primary schools, Kesh and Lack.  Together we are know as, 'North Fermanagh Learning Together' (NFLT).  Through this programme our children learn together in a spirit of tolerance, understanding, respect and reconciliation.  Currently, our P1-2, P3-4 and P5-6 pupils are linked with Lack P.S.  P2-3 and P6-7 pupils are linked with Kesh P.S.  Shared education classes usually take place on Tuesdays (St. Joseph's and Lack) and Fridays (St. Joseph's and Kesh).