The curriculum provided by Prestolee extends far beyond the academic curriculum. We support our pupils to develop in many diverse aspects of school life. Through our extensive programme of personal development from Pre-school to Year 6, we plan high quality opportunities in a carefully planned and sequenced way with the intention that our pupils will learn and remember important knowledge they can use now and throughout their lives. We want our pupils to leave Prestolee being responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and be actively involved in public life as adults.

We want our pupils to have a deep understanding of British Values and ensure they understand that difference is a positive. We are an inclusive school where no discrimination exists and there are equal opportunities for all of our pupils. We develop our pupils’ character in every experience we provide. Our school rules, Be Ready, Respectful and Safe and our core values: Sense of belonging, Openness and Success for All, are central to our school life.  

Our Personal Social Health and Education curriculum is age-appropriate and tailored to meet the needs of our pupils. It includes mental health and wellbeing, physical health (including healthy lifestyles), learning about staying safe and economic understanding. A key element is Relationships Education which includes healthy relationships and an understanding of consent and safety online.

To develop pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development children are taught and encouraged to: understand and appreciate the range of different cultures in the school and further afield; show respect for different faiths and cultural diversity; show respect for the different protected characteristics; use of a range of social skills in different contexts; participate in a variety of communities and social settings; recognise the difference between right and wrong and understand consequence; investigate and offer reasoned views about moral and ethical issues.

Our pupils have access to a wide and rich set of experiences (including cultural experiences) providing a meaningful and memorable context to learning. Trips, visitors and enrichment activities are integral to learning and enhance pupils’ engagement.

We ensure that the curriculum allows for pupils’ wider development. This includes enterprise projects to support charities, opportunities to sing in a choir, learning to play a range of musical instruments and representing the school in a wide range of sporting activities. Pupils take on a wide range of responsibilities; they represent peers as Primary Leadership team members, digital leaders, eco council, school prefects, peer mediators, sports leaders and librarians .

We ensure the opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interest are of exceptional quality. We have curriculum specialists for PE and Music, enter a broad range of competitions and offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities. There is a strong take up of the opportunities provided by school.

We provide a programme of opportunities to all year groups helping pupils develop high aspiration and a knowledge of higher education and the wide range of careers to which they can aspire.

Character development is a key element of our personal development programme and school life. We are a school with a strong ethos for everyone to fulfil their potential. Our motto is ‘Aiming High, doing better than you have ever done before.’

Character development is threaded through our expectations of behaviour towards each other, our ambitious curriculum developing resilience and confidence and our programme of wider development opportunities including volunteering and service to the community. Our Community Enrichment Pathway intends to develop our pupils’ understanding of community and social development so they are willing to participate in a variety of communities and social settings. We ensure that all our pupils benefit equally from what we offer by reducing barriers to participation.

We support children to acquire knowledge, now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, personal development education develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. The benefits to pupils of such an approach are numerous as they are prepared to manage the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face in life.

Our whole school approach promotes effective relationships between all members of the school community. The promotion of pupils’ personal and social development underpins all other learning. It helps pupils to build their character, confidence and self-esteem and to understand what influences their decisions. Developing self-understanding, empathy and the ability to work with others helps our pupils to enjoy healthy relationships in all aspects of their lives.

At Prestolee, we believe everyone can be a leader, take a few minutes to listen to our Y6 Podcasts as they embark on their 6 day 'Learner to Leader Programme'. productive relationships in all aspects of their liv