Ethos – #theJSway 

John Shelton Primary School has high expectations of and for our children, staff and school community. We are committed to delivering a high-quality education where all children make the progress they are capable of and staff can develop and excel as professionals. Our school values are at the heart of everything that we do. 

School Values

At John Shelton Primary School, we strongly believe that certain values should guide our actions and interactions.  

Respect is at the heart of our community; it means treating everyone with kindness and understanding, valuing their opinions, and celebrating our differences. We encourage all children to show respect to their peers, teachers, and themselves, fostering a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. 

Resilience is another vital value we promote. It teaches children the importance of perseverance and adaptability when faced with challenges. We encourage our children to embrace difficulties as opportunities for growth, helping them to build confidence and a positive mindset. 

Responsibility is equally essential; it empowers children to take ownership of their actions and decisions. By encouraging them to care for their belongings, contribute to their learning, and help others, we aim to develop a sense of accountability that will serve them well throughout their lives. Together, these values create a nurturing and inspiring educational environment. 

Our Curriculum Drivers

Our curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum but designed to meet the needs of our children and our community. Our curriculum is underpinned by four fundamental drivers: communication, aspiration, wellness, and sustainability. 

Communication lies at the heart of effective learning and is vital for the development of interpersonal skills. We strive to cultivate articulate individuals who can express their thoughts and ideas clearly, fostering a collaborative learning environment. 

Aspiration is essential in motivating students to reach their fullest potential. By encouraging a growth mindset, we empower learners to set ambitious goals and pursue excellence in their academic and personal pursuits. 

Wellness encompasses the mental, emotional, and physical health of our students. We prioritise a holistic approach to education, ensuring that well-being is woven into daily practices, thus enabling our learners to thrive both in and out of the classroom. 

Sustainability is critical in preparing our students to be responsible global citizens. We instil an understanding and appreciation for environmental stewardship, promoting practices that ensure the preservation of our planet for future generations. 

Curriculum Intent

At John Shelton Primary School we believe that all children should experience a rich and diverse curriculum which promotes and inspires a lifelong love of learning. Our curriculum is designed to provide children with the opportunity to engage in a variety of purposeful and meaningful experiences. Such engagement is critical, as it enables children to acquire a deep understanding of their learning through both enjoyment and challenge.

Everything that we teach is underpinned by our behaviour policy, which is based upon a model developed by Paul Dix. This policy emphasises the importance of fostering a positive learning environment where all children feel valued and respected. Our core values of respect, resilience, and responsibility are integral to the implementation of our curriculum.

We understand that the holistic development of each child is paramount and strive to cultivate an atmosphere that encourages personal growth and social responsibility. By embedding these values in our teaching practices, we aim to equip children with the skills and mindset necessary to navigate an ever-changing world. Ultimately, our curriculum intent is to prepare children not only academically but also as confident, empathetic individuals who will contribute positively to society.

We strive to narrow the gap for disadvantaged children, demonstrating our commitment to equity and social justice. To achieve this, we ensure our curriculum is both rich and vibrant as well as ambitious and accessible for all learners. It is carefully and coherently planned and sequenced towards building cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills for future learning.  We aim for our pupils to remember more, know more, and be able to do more by regularly linking past learning, whether from the previous day, earlier weeks, or different phases of education. Teachers know the whole curriculum well so they are able to do this and to help make links.

Lesson Structure

Where appropriate, lessons are structured in the following way: