The Curriculum

We aim to make sure each child is provided with a relevant and well-balanced curriculum, delivered at the appropriate level.

At Key Stage 3 the school follows the requirements of the National Curriculum which are laid down by law. More variety is allowed for pupils at GCSE/Key Stage 4 where pupils are able to select from a range of options and new subjects like Business Studies are introduced. For some pupils, at this stage, it is possible to offer a more flexible programme incorporating work based learning.

Citizenship

We set out to give children many opportunities to develop the skills and attitudes of a life long good citizen by developing independence and setting high expectations of behaviour and care of others. Additionally, we expect all children to take on roles of responsibility for aspects of school life by taking care of resources, systems, and the environment. This includes the School Council that make a significant contribution to school life each year. There are prefects, buddies, peer mediators and reading buddies, all of whom make a significant difference to the life of the school, especially to the pupils they help and assist.

Physical Education and Sporting Aims

Thomas More Catholic School is fortunate to have an active PE Department that offers many exciting opportunities for our pupils. We have excellent facilities for sports and aim to give all pupils the necessary experience and practice to enable them to build up and continuously improve their skill levels in all the sports they study as part of the National Curriculum for Sport and PE. The school is particularly strong in team games, swimming, athletics and dance. Currently an ex Thomas More pupil, Mark Howard, is on the books of Arsenal with every prospect of becoming the next David Seaman/Jens Lehman!

Information and Communication Technology

There are three networked computer suites available to children, with protected access to the internet as well as a wide range of software. We believe that children need to be thoroughly equipped with the technical skills and abilities in ICT, which we deliver in timetabled lessons. All departments have access to the ICT suites. The school also has eleven interactive white boards as teaching aids around the school.

Flexible Learning Centre

The school has the above centre as a library and resource centre for pupils with 15 computers available. It is open every break and lunchtime and is also open after school until 4.15pm – all pupils are welcome to use it for homework, research for coursework etc

Creative Arts

The development of creativity through music, are, dance and drama is very important at Thomas More School and a wide range of experiences and opportunities are offered within the curriculum. Additionally, children who enjoy the dramatic arts can join in with the performances the school puts on. Every winter a drama production is performed culminating in a public performance in November. The production for 2004 is “Oliver”.

Music Tuition

Children may apply to receive weekly group tuition in a variety of instruments, taken by a member of the Croydon Council Music Service. A subsidised fee for all tuition is charged, with remission for those families experiencing financial difficulties. Lessons are timetabled both during the school day and after school, so as to cause the least disruption to lessons. Children are withdrawn from foundation subjects where possible. In the event of a child being accepted, parents are requested to pay fees in advance.

Religious Education and Spiritual Development

As a Catholic school we give a priority to developing in our pupils an understanding of the faith. Assemblies, liturgies, daily prayers, RE lessons, charitable works and other opportunities all develop the faith in our pupils which they retain for life.

Sex Education

Pupils at Thomas More receive sex education along with other aspects of personal, social, moral and health education within the context of the requirements of the National Curriculum and the Catholic Church.

Planning and Teaching

Teachers plan rich, stimulating and satisfying learning experiences for children to enable them to grow in their perception and understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. They also include many first hand experiences in order to bring knowledge and concepts to life.