Our 8 essentials curriculum has been designed by Runnymede St Edwards Catholic Primary to provide a bespoke, motivating and exciting learning experience.  Inspired by the founding vision of Blessed Edmund Rice, our curriculum aims for pupils to become articulate learners with high aspirations. We place an important emphasis on developing the whole child, supporting them to be resilient, healthy and open-minded human beings.

All our subjects are centrally driven by the 8 Essentials of Edmund Rice, these are the foundations of everything we do.  We have adapted the wording of the essentials so that learners can fully connect with their meaning.   Each essential has a Christian foundation that supports our pupils through their academic journey and promotes both character and spirituality for all.  Each Essential will be woven into a specific unit of work within the subject disciplines to ensure that our Young Edwardians at Runnymede St Edward's Primary become loving, compassionate, tolerant and successful young people.

Runnymede St Edwards Catholic Primary is one of 11 English schools which retain links the Edmund Rice Network. Born in Callan, Ireland, in 1762, Edmund Rice founded his first school in Waterford in 1802. Such was the standard of education provided by Edmund and his colleagues, they were quickly invited to start similar schools across Ireland. Before long, Edmund’s ‘brothers’ were travelling to England and even Australia to establish their model for Catholic education.

In 1808 Edmund and seven men took religious vows and, in 1820, the Congregation of Christian Brothers was approved by the Holy See.

As the Congregation evolved following Edmund’s death in 1844, their mission inevitably changed. By the late 20th Century, as the Christian Brothers continued to be drawn to the most marginalised across the world, they moved out of teaching in the English schools and focused on outreach ministry and education in the developing world.

Today, all of the English Edmund Rice schools share a set of statements which explain the ongoing connection to the charism of Edmund Rice called the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice school.  

In order for our pupils to understand the Essential Elements, we have put them into a wording that will be more familiar and meaningful.

1. Evangelising the Modern World – Celebrate Jesus’ values in all we do

2. Promoting the Spiritual - Grow, through talking about our beliefs

3. Building a Christian Community – Build an inclusive community in school and beyond

4. Compassion for those in Need – Help people who need it

5. Concern for the Whole Person – Be the best I can be

6. Striving for Excellence – Create a better future for everyone

7. Education as a Christian Calling – Live by Jesus’ example

8. Education for Justice – Care for one another and our world