We have weekly assemblies that everyone loves during which we come together as a department to celebrate all the achievements and progress, big and small, that our pupils have made over the week. We award a Star Pupil of the Week from each class and everyone gets to congratulate their peers for their efforts/achievements. We also sing songs/rhymes etc…in which all pupils can join in/experience/respond to in a wonderfully inclusive, celebratory and bespoke environment.
This is also very important preparation for helping our pupils tolerate and cope with taking part in larger school celebrations as they progress throughout the school and also in any events and celebrations that may take place in their home lives wherein many of our pupils experience difficulty.
The Sacraments of First Confession and First Holy Communion are a big part of our Key stage 1 school calendar celebrations.
Both Sacraments are celebrated on site by our local Parish Priest from St..Anne’s Parish. This offers a more pupil friendly and bespoke alternative to receiving the Sacraments in order to meet the widely individual needs of all our pupils. It also creates a beautifully unique and intimate experience for all those involved in the celebrations, including parents, pupils and staff.
Key Stage 1 at St. Gerard’s, includes Primary 3 and Primary 4.
In Key Stage 1, pupils are carefully placed into classes that best fit their needs.
We offer two distinct pathways:
The Equals Curriculum takes a more tailored approach, helping children build the foundational skills they need to engage in learning. At the heart of this approach is communication. We adopt a Total Communication Approach, which means using whatever strategies work best for each child.
This might include:
Through these strategies, pupils develop a range of communication skills that support their learning and interaction.
Another key focus is on social and interaction skills with peers, as well as developing independence. It is widely recognised that until children have acquired these foundational skills—communication, social interaction, and readiness to learn—they may not be ready for a formal subject-based curriculum.
At St. Gerard’s, we are proud to offer a dual-stream approach that meets children where they are, providing the support they need to grow, learn, and thrive in a way that suits their individual strengths and abilities.
Sharon McGivern, Head of Key Stage 1
