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Vision, Ethos and Values

Our vision, ethos and values are at the core of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils as confident, happy citizens.

 

‘Living life in all its fullness.’ John 10:10

 

At Shustoke, all are encouraged to flourish and let their light shine before others. Passionate staff guide and support children to become compassionate, respectful, forgiving and confident individuals equipped to persevere when faced with challenges, and to serve their community, living as Jesus taught. Like a tree planted by streams of water, Children grow strong in wisdom. They explore talents, interests, and spirituality through opportunities to live life in all its fullness. Through our shared values, loving relationships are nurtured, and doors are opened to a future filled with hope, joy, and peace. Together, we all thrive.

Shustoke C of E Primary School Curriculum Intent

Our exciting, broad and balanced curriculum is designed to enable children to live life in all its fullness by developing a love of learning, a desire to succeed, a determination to overcome barriers and an opportunity to excel academically, physically and personally, regardless of their starting points or background.

We offer a wide range of inspiring learning opportunities which enable children to gain essential knowledge, skills and understanding. Children will flourish through nurture and challenge.

Our curriculum offer is based on the National Curriculum, and augmented by experiences that we believe enable children to develop spiritually and become active citizens of the future and live life in all its fullness.  

Our curriculum is aspirational, opening doors to our pupils and raising awareness and appreciation of the world and careers beyond our immediate locality. Therefore, when our pupils leave Shustoke, to move on to secondary education, they:

  • have a secure understanding f the fundamental skills in a wide range of curriculum areas including reading, writing and maths;
  • demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning; embracing challenge and exhibiting curiosity, resilience and perseverance;
  • are hopeful, ambitious learners who have high expectations of their work and conduct; 
  • are compassionate and respectful of others, forgiving mistakes with a generous heart;

Our well-structured, broad and balanced curriculum allows all pupils to achieve their personal best. The curriculum is exciting and engaging and has been developed by experienced subject leaders, and the desire of school leaders to provide a wide range of experiences to enable children to live life in all its fullness. Pupils enjoy lessons and are keen to share their learning. The curriculum is planned to enable children to build upon previous knowledge, revisiting themes so that children know and remember more. Leaders use pupil voice, book scrutiny and learning walks to allow them to see the impact the curriculum is having on the pupils.  We teach children to persevere and develop resilience to tackle challenges.  Assessment for Learning is built into the Curriculum, and we see that achievement is high and that our pupils shine by fulfilling their potential.  

Pupils that are disadvantaged achieve well compared to all children (SATs data) and can access curriculum enrichment. Equality of opportunity is achieved through universal access to the full curriculum for example Ukulele lessons, Dance workshops, Planetarium and Residential Visits.

School is committed to enabling all children to let their light shine, which includes those who experience challenges with learning. Through regular dialogue with our SENCO and our Inclusion Co-Ordinator/SMHL, needs are identified and supported well. We also take opportunities for children who have demonstrated a particular aptitude for curriculum areas to attend workshops and engage with pupils of similar ability from other schools. 

In addition to the extracurricular offer that caters for a wide range of interests, we offer Residential experiences at Christian based centres, visits to places of worship including the Leavers service at the Cathedral. At school we host Easter services, Carols for grandparents.  A firm favourite in the school calendar is the “Journey to the Stable” undertaken by our Y2 children. This is indicative of the opportunities we take to open doors to the children and help them to learn and develop spiritually in a experiential way. “We learnt about how Baby Jesus was born in a stable.” “All the Inns were full but one kind innkeeper let Mary and Joseph stay in the stable”

Spiritual development is an intrinsic part of the curriculum and is a golden thread throughout- the spiritual development of each child is fostered throughout the breadth of the learning experiences which we offer.  For example, seasonal walks enable children to experience and marvel at the wonders of God’s creation using their senses, mindfulness clubs and mental health champions.  As courageous advocates, the Eco-club are developing more ways we can recycle and look after our planet. Opportunities for children to work with experts such as artists provide role models and raise aspirations and hope for their futures.

Contributions to the community are built into the curriculum e.g. the Y6 Coffee morning for local residents and families, hence developing their pride in their school and in being active, serving members of the wider community.

 
 
  1. Our Vision and Values
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