Cultural Capital

What is cultural capital? As part of making the judgement about the quality of education, inspectors will consider the extent to which schools are equipping pupils with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Our understanding of ‘knowledge and cultural capital’ is derived from the following wording in the national curriculum: ‘It is the essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.’

1. Personal Development - At St Michael’s CE Primary School, we focus on personal development by providing opportunities for our pupils to explore their interests, passions, and values. We encourage self-reflexion, goal-setting, and resilience to help our pupils develop a strong sense of self and confidence in their abilities.

2. Social Development - including political and current affairs awareness In order to develop our pupils’ social awareness, we incorporate discussions about current affairs, politics, and social issues into our curriculum. We encourage critical thinking, empathy, and understanding of different perspectives to help our pupils become informed and engaged citizens.

3. Physical Development - Physical development is important for overall well-being, so we provide a range of physical activities and sports opportunities for our pupils. We encourage teamwork, perseverance, and a healthy lifestyle to support our pupils’ physical development.

4. Spiritual Development - Spiritual development is nurtured through opportunities for reflexion, mindfulness, and exploring values and beliefs. We provide space for quiet contemplation, discussions about faith and spirituality, and exposure to different cultural and religious practises to support our pupils’ spiritual growth.

5. Moral Development - Moral development is fostered through discussions about ethics, values, and moral dilemmas. We promote kindness, honesty, and integrity to help our pupils make ethical decisions and contribute positively to society.

6. Cultural Development - Cultural development is at the heart of our curriculum, with a focus on introducing our pupils to a diverse range of cultural experiences, traditions, and arts. We celebrate cultural diversity, promote inclusivity, and encourage exploration of different cultures to enrich our pupils’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them.