National Curriculum 

Personal, social and health education (PSHE) and citizenship help to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active, responsible citizens. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities. In doing so they learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning.

They reflect on their own experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. They also find out about the main political and social institutions that affect their lives and about their responsibilities, rights and duties as individuals and members of communities. They learn to understand and respect our common humanity, diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life and learning.

Our Mission Statement
The mission of St. John's Catholic Primary School is that of Jesus Christ - to build a teaching and learning community where we show due regard for the development and understanding of the uniqueness and dignity of each person, based on the Gospel values of love, justice, mutual respect, acceptance and forgiveness.
Displayed around the school are symbols of this mission to which the whole community have contributed. They identify the values we promote together with the statement: "We learn and grow in the footsteps of Jesus."

The environment provided for the children should be reassuring and supportive as possible in order that the children are happy, willing to learn and sufficiently confident to demonstrate their relative autonomy. The children will need the support which can only come from consistency of approach. The following notes will help fulfil our mission in our daily routines.

Ethos

• Building and open and welcoming community where each person feels valued
• Recognising and valuing children’s achievements
• Making sure the physical environment of the school, classrooms, and entrance hall give appropriate witness that St. John's is a Catholic school
• Working together in a supportive way, basing our relationships on mutual respect
• Relating to the children in a friendly and professional manner
  Management

• Making sure St. John’s is a clean, safe, secure and attractive learning environment
• Helping to create a school climate that is supportive of all members of its community
• Recognising that the staff are the most valuable resource within the school.
• Having a system of communication in place covering all staff, children, parents, Governors, the parish of St. John's and feeder parishes and the wider school community
• Deploying resources in a fair and effective way within the constraints of the school budget
• Involving all staff as much as possible in decision making and school development
• Providing job descriptions, which clearly define duties and responsibilities
  Curriculum

• Ensuring that our attitudes and values are transmitted through the curriculum are consistent with the Catholic faith
• Delivering a curriculum that is relevant, varied, interesting, stimulating, balanced and appropriate to their needs
• Recognising that R.E is not only a core subject but an integral part of the curriculum
• Developing sound teaching and effective classroom management strategies
• Fostering positive attitudes to learning, having realistic high expectations of all children and expecting high standards of work
• Using a variety of teaching approaches that show respect and acceptance of each child's needs
• Participating, as a school, in projects which focus on the needs of others e.g. Cafod, Action for homelessness and Diocesan charities
  Liturgy and Worship

• Having planned opportunities for pupils and staff to:
  • Participate in the Mass within the school and St John's Church
  • Participate in other liturgical services
  • Receive the sacrament of reconciliation
• Including prayer in assemblies, at the beginning and end of each school day and at any other appropriate time
• Promoting knowledge, experience and understanding of various prayer forms and liturgical worship
• Using the school chapel for regular class reflections
  Community

• Ensure that St John’s has a positive Christian image in the town
• Encouraging the involvement of the children in the monthly children’s Masses in St John's Church and in the wider life of the parish
• Encouraging the children to exercise care and concern for the school environment and for their town
• Having links with other schools in Trowbridge and with local Catholic schools
  Pastoral Care

• Taking a personal interest in all the children at the school by listening to them and showing concern for their well being and progress
• Having an effective behaviour policy
• By creating an environment where acceptance and forgiveness are an integral part of daily life
• Promoting equal opportunities for both children and staff
• Giving help and advice to children and their parents/guardians or carers
• Giving support to each other in times of difficulty