We believe the curriculum should be ambitious, skilfully constructed and focused first and foremost on the acquisition of knowledge. We also have a relentless focus on reading, literacy, and oracy to underpin all learning. We believe didactic teaching to pupils in rows is the most effective approach, and pupils learning by heart to improve retention. Subject teachers through careful planning and exceptional teaching ensure all pupils, whatever their ability, learn well.   Curriculum Leaders, the SENCO and other senior staff design interventions for those pupils that require additional support, to ensure they can remain, thrive, and progress in all lessons. 

We believe in feeding back to pupils from the front because pupils tend to make the same mistakes. We believe every second is precious and demand pupils’ full attention and engagement.

CPD for staff starts as soon as the teacher is appointed. We ask new staff to read numerous articles and books. We invite them in for meetings to ensure they are fully prepared for life at Mercia School. 

In September, new teachers use our Inauguration Week (transition week) to learn how to teach in the traditional style we advocate. Senior teachers provide helpful, supportive feedback to help all new staff get off to a flying start.

New staff have two full days of CPD training the day before school opens. Then, during Inauguration, there is further CPD training. We also provide new staff CPD throughout a staff member's time at Mercia School. We call our weekly CPD 'Deliberate Practice' which is a time where staff literally rehearse and refine our approach to teaching and learning. 

Our teachers care deeply about the success of all pupils. They know that pupils prosper if expectations are sky high, fully understood, and everyone follows them. Teachers therefore have incredibly high expectations relating to pupil behaviour,  attitudes and individual responsibility. These are enshrined in very clear rules and routines which we expect every pupil to follow.  These rules may seem demanding to some, but we know if consistently expected, transgression is immediately challenged, and pupils understand why, this creates very high levels of compliance, exceptional behaviour, and a safe and inspiring culture in which all pupils can thrive. If you think it is too harsh to give a child a detention if they do not have their pen, Mercia is not the school for you, and you have missed our key objective about expectations and individual responsibility. We know that poor behaviour can be a blight in some schools, and we will not accept this at Mercia. Whilst we focus on consistent expectations, we also understand the importance of strong and respectful relationships, kindness and tolerance and rewarding and celebrating pupil success. Together this ensures school is a warm, safe, and happy place for all.

We meet all families one-to-one in the summer before pupils start in September, this helps foster a positive relationship from the very start and establish expectations. We insist that they support their child by backing our approach and they soon discover how transformative this can be.

We know that teaching is the most rewarding, exhilarating but exhausting profession. To make sure our staff do not burnout, we focus on feedback not marking, do not set homework and ban meaningless displays. We only meet when absolutely necessary. We respect teacher time. Our staff nurture a healthy, sustainable balance between their school and home lives.  

To ensure our pupils flourish, we have established a very calm, warm culture. Our pupils feel safe and secure, our teachers can teach and senior leaders use common sense and compassion in their leadership. We do not believe in wasting time and have established a highly efficient environment that maximises time for professional development and pupil achievement. The school is an incredibly happy place. Teachers are kind to pupils and each other, our culture is built on honesty and we support each other in everything we do. 

As a dedicated member of Mercia staff, you will be expected to contribute to our Elective Programme. Our children showcase creativity and express themselves in enriching activities that broaden their minds. At Mercia we believe in promoting the Arts and creative subjects. We have a rich culture of sport and are dedicated to a broad curriculum which inspires. We ask our staff to contribute to this programme.