English Martyrs’, as a community centred in Christ, strives to develop the talents of each person.

“May they all be one” John 17

As part of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, we seek to have a truly catholic curriculum which develops every aspect of each young person’s life for the better. 

What is the philosophy underlying our curriculum?

Our curriculum is founded on our Catholic understanding of the uniqueness of each human person created in the image and likeness of God, called into relationship with God for eternity to a ‘future full of hope.’ (Jeremiah 29, 11)

It is informed by a belief that our intellectual development leads us to an appreciation of the divine.  Catholic teaching recognises that knowledge is an intrinsic good, but is completed only with the real illumination of relationship with God:

‘Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.’ (Philippians 4, 8)

As St Thomas Aquinas taught, all aspects of human knowledge proceed from and lead to God and we recognise that all aspects of the curriculum in our school are interconnected and are of equal value.

We also acknowledge that the curriculum embraces all learning and new learning, respecting different viewpoints and opinions and the personal right of freedom of conscience. ‘A creative God-centred curriculum in dialogue with the wisdom of both past and present should maintain the truth of the Christian Gospel without becoming isolationist or introspective.’ Hans Urs von Balthazar, 1988.

Our curriculum affirms the Church’s teaching that parents are the first educators of their children.  We seek to work in partnership with parents and parishes to provide education for our children in a prayerful environment of love, safety and security.