St Joseph's Primary School, in Penarth, has been working closely with the Welsh Government on the creation of the new curriculum framework, soon to be rolled out in primary schools nationwide.

As part of the new framework, schools are required to design their own curriculum and assessment arrangements.

Rather than following a nationally prescribed learning program, schools and practitioners will be able to make decisions that best meet the needs of specific learners.

As well as contributing to the framework, St Joseph's has also introduced their own bespoke curriculum and is one of only 16 Curriculum Innovation Schools in Wales.

The curriculum is based on findings in child development and cognitive science, with staff undertaking extensive learning on how children's bodies and minds develop.

Lessons have been tailored to enhance pupils' personal, social and physical development, whilst also providing detailed knowledge and understanding of the world, both past and present.

The school has also benefitted from significant on-site works, including the refurbishment of all classrooms, a complete reconfiguration of the Foundation Phase learning spaces and a state-of-the-art new-build Nursery.

Staff regularly deliver learning experiences outside of the classroom, as the school's grounds include a playing field, wooded area, pond, orchard, wildflower meadow and polytunnel.

The introduction of the school's ambitious new curriculum has seen standards improve year on year. Last year's National Reading Tests saw the average child in St Joseph's score within the top 20% of the country, with similarly high standards achieved in mathematics.

Headteacher, Gareth Rein said: "We're extremely proud of our achievements at St Joseph's. Everything we do is based on the best available research and is designed to help each individual child thrive."

Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, Cllr Lis Burnett, said: "The new Curriculum for Wales is inspiring schools to take a more holistic approach toward learning. It encourages them to focus more on how and why the curriculum is being delivered, rather than delivering specific content and academic results.

"St Joseph's have done a brilliant job in helping craft this approach, and in turn have seen their own curriculum and learning practices blossom."

St Joseph's will be hosting an Open Day event on Wednesday, 04 March. Parents are carers can visit the school at 10 am, 2 pm and 4.30 pm and slots can be booked via EventBrite.