Our Curriculum at Mount St Catherine’s

Mount St Catherine’s is proud to be a Sacred Heart school, rooted in the values of respect, kindness, compassion and a love of learning. Guided by our school motto, we strive to nurture every child so they can grow in confidence, develop their unique gifts and achieve their full potential. Our curriculum reflects both the Northern Ireland Curriculum and the ethos of the Sacred Heart tradition, placing the whole child at the centre of learning.

We offer rich learning experiences from Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 2, supported by inspiring indoor and outdoor environments and specialist teaching spaces designed to meet the needs of all children.

Foundation Stage (Primary 1–2)

In the Foundation Stage, children learn through meaningful, play‑based activities that build early skills and curiosity. Learning is guided by the Northern Ireland Curriculum areas: Language and Literacy, Early Mathematics, The World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, Physical Development and Movement, and The Arts.

Children at this stage enjoy regular access to Learning Land, our dedicated indoor learning room for P1–3. This space promotes imaginative play, communication, early literacy and numeracy, creativity and social development.

Foundation Stage pupils also explore Sophie’s Garden, our large outdoor learning area divided into purposeful zones including construction, sand and water, role‑play and investigative areas. Here children develop teamwork, communication, problem‑solving and early scientific understanding through active exploration.

Key Stage 1 (Primary 3–4)

At Key Stage 1, children continue to learn through a balance of structured teaching and practical, hands‑on experiences. Literacy and numeracy remain central, while pupils deepen their understanding through The World Around Us, Religious Education, The Arts and Personal Development.

P3 pupils use Learning Land to support play‑based elements of the NI Curriculum, particularly creativity, collaboration and applying early skills in new contexts. All KS1 classes benefit from Sophie’s Garden, where outdoor learning helps develop resilience, curiosity and cross‑curricular thinking.

Key Stage 2 (Primary 5–7)

In Key Stage 2, pupils are encouraged to become increasingly independent, reflective and responsible learners. They engage in the full Northern Ireland Curriculum, including Language and Literacy, Mathematics and Numeracy, The World Around Us, The Arts, Physical Education, Religious Education and Personal Development and Mutual Understanding.

KS2 pupils continue to enjoy access to Sophie’s Garden, where outdoor learning includes scientific investigations, collaborative challenges, construction tasks and environmental studies. These experiences encourage critical thinking, teamwork and creativity while supporting curricular learning.

Learning Environments

Learning Land (Indoor Learning Room – P1–3)

Learning Land offers structured play opportunities that support communication, early literacy and numeracy, role‑play, problem‑solving and creative thinking. The space reflects our belief that young children learn best through exploration, interaction and imaginative experiences.

Sophie’s Garden (Outdoor Learning Area – All Classes)

Used by all pupils from P1–P7, Sophie’s Garden is a vibrant outdoor classroom divided into themed learning zones. Children experience hands‑on exploration across construction, sand and water play, role‑play and investigation areas. Outdoor learning supports physical development, collaboration, communication, resilience and cross‑curricular application of skills.

Specialist Teaching Rooms

At Mount St Catherine’s, we are committed to ensuring every child feels valued, supported and included. We provide four specialist rooms for pupils with additional needs:

The Den & The Meadow (ASD Specialist Classes)

These rooms provide calm, structured learning environments supported by visual communication systems, sensory regulation strategies and individualised teaching plans. Learning focuses on communication, emotional development, life skills and access to the curriculum. Each room includes its own sensory space and dedicated outdoor play area.

The Roost & The Nest (Severe Learning Needs Classes)

These classrooms offer highly tailored learning programmes aligned with the Northern Ireland Curriculum at an appropriate level. Pupils engage in sensory‑based experiences, communication development, early cognitive skills, physical development and structured routines. Both rooms also have attached sensory rooms and outdoor learning spaces to support movement and regulation.