Evidence suggests that there is an association between being physically active and academic performance, learning and attention. However, this is complex: it is not a linear association in that the more physically active a young person is the better their academic performance, other factors of course play a part. We do know that being physically active helps to promote physical and emotional health and wellbeing. In children, physical activity is critical for motor development, cognitive improvement, psychosocial and cardio-metabolic health; reducing body fat and helping to increase academic achievement. Children and young people who are physically active are more likely to continue the habit into adult life.

What works in schools and colleges to increase physical activity?

At St Mary’s we ensure pupils have at least 2 hours of high quality time to be physically active through Physical Education lessons and swimming lessons. We also offer a wide variety of high quality extra curricular sporting clubs. We give pupils the opportunity to take part in physical activities through weekly fixtures organised by PSP, playing a variety of competitive and non-competitive sports/activities against 11 other local schools. E.g. Athletics, Football, Dance, Bowling, colour run. We have a school partnership with a local school. Every half-term a different year group will have the opportunity compete with in a sport they have been practicing that half-term. E.g. Orienteering, dance. We also take part in school games, organised by our local secondary school, Horizon CC. This involves a variety of competitions to inspire and engage all pupils, inclusive of all.

Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in the following activities:

• Balance bike bikeability Y1
• Bikeability Y6
• TCS mini marathon in school
• Aquafest Y5
• Skipping festival

We help pupils to understand the importance of exercise and a healthy diet through PD and RSHE curriculum lessons.

“I have loved competing in different activities and representing school. It has helped me learn to be resilient and recognise that I cannot win every time!”

This country has a proud history of music making. Down the generations, music has enriched our national identity, our community and our economy. Music education is essential to safeguarding and extending the musical life of our country for generations to come. Excellent music education opens opportunities, but it is not simply a means to an end: it is also an end in itself. It gives children and young people an opportunity to express themselves, to explore their creativity, to work hard at something, persevere and shine. These experiences and achievements stay with them and shape their lives. That is why music is an essential part of a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils. It must not be the preserve of the privileged few.

Music should be planned and taught as robustly as any other foundation curriculum subject, as exemplified in the Model Music Curriculum we published last year.

The power of music to change lives : A national plan for music education.

At St Mary’s we ensure pupils have exposure to high quality music teaching weekly through the delivery of Charanga, our music curriculum. We work closely with Barnsley Music Service to offer pupils lessons in a variety of instruments such as flute, keyboard and saxophone. We have developed close links with Barnsley Youth Choir through workshops and visits and inspired St Mary’s pupils to join external music services. Every Christmas we celebrate our passion for music with an annual ‘carols around the tree’ concert celebrating our love of music with staff, parents and pupils. We inspire pupils to develop a wide appreciation of music through exciting trips and visits such as our annual Young Voices trip. We have further developed our love of music through ‘Rocksteady Music’ where pupils sign up to weekly in-school band lessons that celebrate fun, individuality and creativity! As a school we love to watch their termly ‘rock concerts’ and see the development of our budding musicians!

“I love learning to play an instrument. My music lessons through school have inspired me to do my Grade 1 and 2 exams. The young Voices concert was the best day of my life!”

Meeting requirements for collective worship, establishing a strong school ethos supported by effective relationships throughout the school, and providing relevant activities beyond the classroom are all ways of ensuring pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Pupils must be encouraged to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance.

Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools.

To promote British Values at St. Mary’s primary, we have integrated the values into our curriculum, we foster democratic practices and have worked tirelessly to create an inclusive environment. This includes teaching about democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect, while also engaging our students in school and worship councils, mock elections, and discussions about current events.

Integrating British Values into the Curriculum:

History and Citizenship:

• Teaching the development of democracy in the UK, the role of citizens in a democracy, and the struggles and achievements of different groups within British society.

Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) Education:

• Focus on mutual respect, tolerance, and conflict resolution, as well as understanding the importance of individual liberty and the rule of law.

Current Events:

• Use of picture news in collective worship and use of Newsround in the classroom.
• Discuss current events and their connection to British values, helping students understand how these values are applied in real-life situations.

School Events:

Use assemblies, school plays, and other events to celebrate British traditions and values, and to promote a sense of community.

Fostering Democratic Practices:

School Council:

• We encourage student participation in school councils, providing a platform for students to have their voices heard and to participate in decision-making processes.

• Collective Worship council.
• The application for and the role of school librarians.

Mock Elections:

• We organise mock elections during general or local election periods to provide students with the opportunity to learn about the democratic process and how to debate and defend their points of view.

Student Debates:

• Encourage debates and discussions about cur rent events and issues, fostering critical thinking and the ability to articulate one’s own opinions while respecting others.

Creating an Inclusive Environment:

Promote Respect:

• We emphasise the importance of mutual respect and tolerance for all students, regardless of their background, beliefs, or experiences.
• Our behaviour policy is rooted in mutual respect between staff and pupils.
• We firmly believe in ‘new day, new start.’

Diversity and Inclusion:

• We celebrate diversity and provide opportunities for our pupils to learn about different cultures, religions, and backgrounds.
• Through the teaching of six major religions in RE.

Challenge Stereotypes:

• We actively challenge stereotypes and prejudice, promoting a culture of understanding and acceptance.

Positive Relationships:

• We foster positive relationships bet ween students, teachers, and parents, creating a supportive and inclusive school environment. Through positive noticing and a culture of ‘botheredness’ we allow all to thrive and support each other.

Collective Worship:

We use daily Collective Worships as an opportunity to further embed fundamental British Values and widen pupil’s understanding of what it means to be British. We weave British Values into the bible stories that form the basis of our worship sessions. E.g. Feeding the Five Thousand, The Lost Sheep, Noah and the Ark.

Junior Leaders:

• History Ambassadors
• Corridor monitors
• Dining hall monitors- replenishing water in jugs, helping younger children cut food etc
• A rota system for pupils to use the Cypad in the dinner hall to check dinners.
• Collective Worship monitors- handing out stickers, praising positive behaviour etc.

‘We learn about British Values all the time, these are in every area of what we learn.’

“To nurture the reading habit, schools need a strategic approach rather than simply an eclectic mix of ‘reading for pleasure’ activities. Evaluation should take place regularly. Competitions, dressing up days and other promotional activities should be built into wider strategic activity, such as being used to launch a new initiative. However, these activities on their own are not enough to motivate all pupils to read regularly at home. Core strategies to encourage sustained, voluntary reading include:

• adults reading aloud regularly, including in class or form time
• informal book talk, including recommendations from peers and adults
• encouraging library use, including the local public library
• providing time to read
• sociable reading environments, reading together and sharing books.”

Section 8: Developing a reading for pleasure culture (Taken from The reading frame work)

At St Mary’s we have a wide variety of strategies that are evaluated regularly to inspire pupils to develop a love of reading. LIRA sessions al ways give pupils the opportunity to read aloud themselves but also hear adults read aloud to develop a shared understanding in the importance of fluency skills. Every class has a class read which is read to them and gives pupils the opportunity to discuss books that they have read outside of school and draw parallels to their class book. Each class has a library that pupils use regularly to help them develop the understanding of how to select a book to read for pleasure. Librarians are trained to support younger pupils who do not read regularly at home. This allows pupils to inspire pupils, and share their infectious love of reading. We celebrate important literature days such as World book day, Roald Dahl day and National Poetry day to further raise the profile of reading for all.

We provide opportunities for children to become librarians and take responsibility for fundraising initiatives in school.

‘Reading is such a big part of our education, without it we would struggle!’

“Most charities depend on volunteers to deli ver many of their activities. Almost 1 in 2 adults in England volunteer at least once a month. According to the Community Life Survey, over 2 billion hours are spent volunteering each year in the UK. This is equivalent to 1.25 million full time employees, similar to the total employment across the manufacturing, construction and real estate sectors combined. The charity sector is seen as an increasingly important part of society and in the delivery of services which have traditionally been provided by the public sector e.g. in areas like safeguarding, cancer research, homelessness and loneliness .

According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) , areas of activity with the greatest involvement of voluntary organisations are social services provision, culture and recreation and religious services.

The value of the charity sector

At St Mary’s we hold regular fund raising events to support the charity sector. We instil the significance of understanding that people are less fortunate than ourselves, and this can be within our community and much further afield. Pupils have been inspired to raise fund for Barnsley Hospice, a cause very dear to the hearts of the St Mary’s community. It has supported a wide range of families and we have been proud to give something back. Pupils have developed an understanding of where the money they raise goes through assemblies held after fundraising e vents such as the ‘Elf Run’ at Christmas. We have held non uniform days, carried out sponsored runs and held parent coffee mornings to support the charity sector. We support the women’s refuge through donations brought in at Harvest time, we host Macmillan coffee mornings, offer pre-loved uniform and support charities such as Children in Need and Red Nose Day.

‘It is important that we give back to others and support those who are not as fortunate as us. Donating to charity always makes me feel happy.’