At Catherington we aim to build a community of children and adults who:
- Feel LOVE and show love to others
- Have the COURAGE to face new challenges and fulfil their potential.
- Develop RESPECT for God's creations
and therefore promoting lifelong learning for all children and staff preparing us for an ever changing world.
Our school curriculum is planned to support this and enriched with a wealth of opportunities for children to learn and play together, to mix with people of different ages, cultures and faiths in order to develop an understanding and interest in the world.
We prioritise a child's physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and recognise that their personal development plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve.
Our inclusive teaching offers approaches to learning that recognise the unique identity of each child and the importance of personal growth.
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Ofsted guidance- Provision for the spiritual development of pupils includes developing their:
- ability to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life
- knowledge of, and respect for, different people's faiths, feelings and values
- sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
- use of imagination and creativity in learning
- willingness to reflect on their experiences.
Evidence of Spiritual development at Catherington:
- Christian vision and values applied across all aspects of school life.
- Collective worship themes include school values and Christian beliefs.
- Christian festivals and special days celebrated within collective worship including Harvest, Christmas and Easter.
- R.E curriculum based on the cycle of enquiry using locally agreed syllabus and Understanding Christianity.
- All year groups learn about Christianity and Hinduism.
- Visits to the local church for all year groups.
- Differing forms of worship- whole school class, singing and celebration enabling children and staff to engage at their own level.
- Opportunities to reflect during collective worship.
- R.E curriculum provides opportunities to reflect.
- Collective worship led by members of the clergy from the local church promotes the development of relationships.
- A variety of of extra-curricular clubs encouraging children to develop what animates themselves and others.
- Charity and fundraising events Children in need, Shoebox appeal, Harvest festival collection, Horndean foodbank and the Final Straw Charity.
- Positive behaviour management policy which promotes the use of the wellbeing programme Trickbox to develop self-regulation and self reflection. Strong behaviour management systems with a range of rewards.
- Worship areas within each classroom provide space for children to reflect.
- ELSA support.
- Drama workshops to explore a range of key world themes.
- Focus weeks- World book day, Remembrance, plastic pollution, litter.
- Children are reflective about their learning and respond to feedback.
See our recent Spirituality Day here
MORAL DEVELOPMENT
Ofsted guidance- Provision for the moral development of pupils includes developing their:
- ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England
- understanding the consequences of their behaviour and actions
- interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.
Evidence of Moral development at Catherington:
- Strong Safeguarding practices ensure children feel safe within school.
- Online safety included in Computing and PSHE lessons
- Learning about bullying in PSHE lessons
- All children engage in improving our school though two way feedback from School council members who then act on issues.
- Thought books provided for children in Years 1 and 2 to give them the opportunity to share their concerns.
- Use of circle time to ensure each child has the opportunity to speak.
- Positive behaviour management policy applied consistently across the school with clearly defined rewards and sanctions.
- Positive reinforcement of conduct expectations often linked with Christian values- smart walking around the school to show respect.
- Golden tickets, stickers, star of the week badges and Values certificates use to celebrate positive choices.
- Reading spine demonstrates use of high quality texts, as models, in English lessons.
- The promotion of British Values throughout the curriculum.
- Debates explored through History and other subjects.
- Children have a keen sense of what is right and wrong.
- Golden rules for the whole school promote the importance of our values.
- Staff and visitors act as role models across the school day.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Ofsted Guidance- Provision for the social development of pupils includes developing their:
- use of a range of social skills in different contexts, for example working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethinic and socio-economic backgrounds
- willingness o participate in a variety of communities and social settings, incuding by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
- acceptance of and engagement with the fundamental British values and democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Evidence of Social development at Catherington
- Children are encouraged to reflect on their mistakes, learn from them and receive forgiveness.
- Competitive sports day
- Inclusive community events- Carol services, church visits, Harvest and Christmas services and celebrations, fundraising events and singing in local places
- Links with the local care home to promote intergenerational links
- Equality policy, information and objectives
- Worship themes
- Whole school worship twice a week
- Half termly drop in sessions for the school community to celebrate achievements in class
- Catherington Infants School Association fundraising events
- Children work in flexible groupings during lessons
- Christmas, Spring and summer productions performed to parents.
- Parent and child workshops.
- Children elect their school council representatives
- Children take on a range of responsibilities throughout the school, school council, class helpers, lunchtime leaders
- Transitions with local pre-schools and junior schools
- Year 2 Play leader encouraging positive play from the younger children.
CULTURAL DEVLOPMENT
Ofsted Guidance- Provision for the cultural development of pupils includes developing their:
- understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
- understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
- ability to recognise and value the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
- knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
- willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
- interest in exploring,imporving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept and respect diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious , ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
Evidence of Cultural development at Catherington:
- Remembrance projects
- Cultural elements in learning journeys linked to historical and geographical studies
- Challenging stereotypes in PSHE
- Children of all abilities encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities
- A range of clubs which promote an interest in many different areas
- Links to other cultures in our community- parents, staff and children
- In R.E and worship children learn about different events in various religious calendars
- Nativity performance from Year R, spring and summer performances in years 1 and 2
- Theatre company visits
- Learning environments celebrate children's achievements
- History learning journeys which provide opportunities to understand how events have shaped our culture today
The development of SMSC takes place across all curriculum areas, within activities that encourage children to recognise the spiritual dimension of their learning, reflect on the significance of what they are learning and to recognise any challenges that there may be to their own attitude and lifestyle. Teachers at Catherington use creative strategies and challenging questions to engage children in their learning and develop a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.