ST@R Character Curriculum

As a school, we place a high emphasis on preparing children for their futures beyond St Richard’s. As part of this, each week we focus upon a different ST@R Quality. These are linked to National and International events and/or inspirational individuals. Explicit links are also made to British Values and the protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act (2010). We believe this helps the children, over time, to develop a deeper understanding of how to live/ embody the qualities and recognise their own place in British society.

Our ST@R Character Curriculum encompasses both the taught PSHE and RSE curriculum as well as our 6 threads of personal development:

• Mental Health and Well-being
• Physical Health and Well-being
• Raising Aspirations
• Performing Arts
• Global Awareness
• Pupil Leadership

The Lost St@r - our talented staff have created a story to help the children understand the learning characteristics and attributes that form our St@R Qualities.

You can read the EYFS and KS1 version here http://tinyurl.com/STRTheLostS...

Enjoy!

At St Richard’s Academy, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and well-being of our pupils and staff.

We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us feel vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. At St Richard’s we recognise that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. This provision is strengthened by our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant who works with identified individuals and groups, as well as meeting the needs of the children as they arise.

Our popular lunchtime retreat provides further opportunities for informal check ins, reflection, and the development of positive relationships. The key adults present model respectful conversations, positive social interactions and a reassuring familiar face.

At St Richards we:

• Promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they are valued individuals. As stated in our Mission Statement: “all are valued for their uniqueness”

• Encourage children to be confident and shine like ST@Rs

• Help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

• Support children to understand their emotions and self-regulate their feelings

• Help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• Promote the importance of being compassionate and working together
• Help children socially to form and maintain relationships and focus on teamwork to build community links.

Below are some pictures from lunchtime club, retreat and ELSA.

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum is supported by the Jigsaw and Ten: Ten Life to the Full resources. These lessons take place weekly and support the children through a variety of whole class, small group and individual activities to explore a wealth of topics to support their holistic development and wellbeing. We teach pupils to recognise and manage online and offline risks as well as teaching them about healthy relationships and that sexual harassment of any kind is not tolerated.

Below are a pictures from Safer Internet Day and a Year 2 Jigsaw Knowledge Mat

We also understand the importance that physical health has on quality of life as well as the benefits that it can have on mental and emotional well-being. Some of the strategies and activities we use to support and develop this are:

• Providing curriculum physical education at least once a week
• Offering a range of sporting clubs both after school and during lunchtimes
• Providing pupils with the opportunities to compete against other schools
• Signposting pupils towards local clubs and physical activities which take place after school, at weekends and during holidays
• Providing healthy and well-balanced school meals at lunchtime and within breakfast club
• Educating pupils around being healthy through our science and PSHE curriculum
• Providing pupils with the opportunities to plan, prepare and cook healthy meals through our DT curriculum
• Liaising with external providers to enhance teaching and learning, allowing knowledge to be embedded further.

Below are pictures from St Richard's yoga, football and Badminton clubs

We are passionate about ensuring that our pupils leave us as confident, compassionate citizens who have been provided with the toolkit and aspirations they need to thrive in their next stage of education and in life. We provide our pupils with opportunities which support the development of their character which will help them to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their time at St Richard’s to achieve their future goals.

Some of the opportunities we will provide pupils with include:

• Open their curious minds by visiting galleries, museums, theatres, live sporting events, ballets, operas, the seaside, historic sights, local wonders and our capital city, London/ places further afield.
• Embark upon an exciting journey which takes them far from home, staying in another part of the country or even another part of the world for at least a night.
• Step forward and take the lead to organise something which is important to them and make a positive difference to others.
• Develop their confidence through public speaking, performing, or competing against others.
• Have meaningful experiences linked to workplaces, universities, colleges, employers. Interact with professionals to help them shape future dreams and aspirations that have no limits.
• Build their own personal libraries and love of reading, this will be started by buying, reading, reviewing, and sharing books which have been purchased with a World Book Day voucher.
• Use devices to safely access the virtual world and learn how to code, communicate, and learn with students from across the country and the world
• Develop many skills and talents and take advantage of support to excel in swimming, sport, riding a bike, learning a musical instrument, or communicating in another language.
• Building toolkits for life by learning first aid, map reading, gardening, and cooking skills.
• Help change the world by getting involved in an environmental project which makes our planet greener.
• See the world from other people’s points of view by experiencing different cultures, tasting different foods, listening to and debating difficult ideas, visiting religious buildings and exploring different faiths and beliefs.
• Showing kindness and compassion and making a difference to others by participating in a charity, social action or community project which supports people in the local community.
• Take part in raising their own aspirations during transition week. The purpose of the week is for children to reflect upon their achievements from the past year and think forward to the year ahead, setting new goals and ambitions. Children will hear from older pupils and individuals who have achievements to share, including past pupils.

At St Richards we value the performing arts. Through providing pupils with a vast array of opportunities we aim to develop performing, presentation and production skills. This will enable pupils to develop many vital characteristics underpinned by our cores school values of Curiosity. Respect and Pride, Compassion Resilience and Responsibility,

Performing Arts opportunities at St Richards:

• Curriculum music lessons delivered by class teachers and specialist music staff from St Mary’s College
• Curriculum PE lessons with dance supported by specialist Physical Education teachers from St Mary’s College.
• Drama workshops followed by the rehearsal and performance of a play in conjunctions with Hull Truck Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Instrumental music lessons including woodwind, brass, guitar and percussion.
• Musical concerts performed in front of the school and parents.
• Christmas productions.
• Leaver’s productions.
• Extra – curricular opportunities such as choir and Dance Club.
• Take part in our Time Travellers Showcase where pupils re-enact historical events.

Performing Arts opportunities pictures below are of:

• Choir
• Roleplay/Drama
• Panto experience

At St Richard’s, we understand the importance of giving our children opportunities to learn about our world. We strive to raise pupil awareness and understanding about key people, places and events within their city, country, and the wider world. We believe in giving children a voice and encourage them to impact upon things they are inspired by or feel passionately about. One aspect of this is Map it and Mark it.

Map it and Mark it is a fantastic weekly event which enables our children to explore current local, national and global events through ‘mapping’ them on a map and ‘marking’ them on a timeline. In additional to increasing their understanding of the physical and human world, it also gives them the opportunity to participate in debates, democratic votes and share their views and opinions. We believe this strengthens the children’s understanding of British Values.

Why do we have Pupil leaders?

Nurturing good pupil leaders is an important element of our success. Pupils are encouraged to develop the necessary skills to enable them to take responsibility for their school and to contribute positively both to the school and the wider community. This year more pupils than ever have wished to take part in pupil leadership roles.

What do Pupil leaders do?

Our leaders are responsible for a wide range of roles such as helping guide younger students at lunch and break times, support staff with various duties around the school, planning for school improvements. All of our leaders receive training and support and through their duties develop their own assertiveness, punctuality, becoming responsible members of the school community. All Key Stage 2 pupils can apply for a leadership position, if they demonstrate excellent behaviour and act as role models for younger children.

The Pupil Leadership Role

• To act as a role model for pupils and promote the ethos and values of St Richard’s.
• To continue to maintain the high standards expected of a St Richard’s pupil.
• To attend school events when required.
• To attend meetings as required.
• To assist staff and support children to always follow the rules of the school during the day.
• To support the other pupil leaders.

Types of Pupil Leadership

• ST@R Ambassadors – These ambassadors are chosen by the child’s previous teacher for their commitment to the values of the school. ST@R ambassadors consistently demonstrate our core values, providing an excellent ‘live’ role model for other pupils. ST@R ambassadors represent the school to visitors and at community events.
• School Council – School Councillors are elected during the first week of an academic year by their peers through an official democratic process. School council gauge pupil opinion and drive change within school.
• Earth Council - Earth Council discuss and take action to improve sustainability and lessen waste within school.
• Compassion Crew – Our Compassion Crew guide and support pupils during break and lunchtimes.
• Mini Vinnies/Junior Chaplains – Mini Vinnies consist of KS2 children, who work incredibly hard to promote the work of St Vincent de Paul by helping to promote the charitable activities of our school, always remembering that their role is to ‘put concern into action.’

• Librarians - we are extremely proud of our colourful Lending Library where are pupils can borrow a range of exciting texts. Librarians take responsibility for arranging books, speaking to other pupils about books and helping children ‘check’ books out.