St James' Journey

St. James’ Personal Development Curriculum

‘St James’ Journey’ is our Personal Development and Wellbeing strategy that is a coherently planned, highly inclusive programme that empowers every child—regardless of their starting point, background, SEND, or socio-economic context—to overcome challenges, discover their unique talents, and thrive as confident, active citizens. This approach is rooted in our Christian Vision "For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

St James’ Journey is reflective of our context and our own monitoring and evaluation. This bespoke approach is refined and responds to the needs of all children and is aligned with our other whole school priorities.

Our strategy encompasses 6 aspects that align with the Core Enrichment Entitlement and the Enrichment Benchmarks from the DfE. St James’ BELONG curriculum is also woven into the strategy to ensure we equip children with knowledge and enthusiasm to develop their understanding of the world.

Each element of our ‘St James’ Journey’ supports us to develop children who are confident, resilient and celebrate difference. Through our teaching of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural across curriculum subjects and day to day school life, we aim for our children have a sense of fascination and creativity, moral understanding, and appreciation of diverse cultural heritage. We also want children to have have a strong sense of social responsibility and global awareness.

Context

St James Primary School, located in the Worsley Mesnes estate in Wigan, faces several significant barriers that impact the personal development of its students. These include:

High Levels of Deprivation: Many students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which can affect their access to resources and opportunities.
High SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities): A considerable proportion of students require additional support to meet their educational needs.
Aspirations: We recognise that parents in our community have differing lived experiences and aspirations. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of high aspirations within our school encouraging students to dream big and set ambitious goals.
High EAL (English as an Additional Language): A significant number of students speak English as an additional language.
Diverse Religious Backgrounds: The school community is characterised by a variety of religious beliefs, requiring a curriculum that promotes understanding and respect for different faiths.
Safeguarding: We acknowledge that some students may come from difficult personal circumstances, which makes safeguarding even more critical.
Parental Engagement: Engaging parents in their children's education is crucial for reinforcing learning and development at home.

The St. James’ Journey

Our personal development curriculum is inspired by the pilgrimage of St James, symbolised by the scallop shell. The scallop shell is special because it’s connected to Saint James, who carried one during his pilgrimage. The lines on the shell can remind us of different paths people take in life, both in the places they go and the things they learn along the way. This pilgrimage represents a journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery, which aligns with the goals of the personal development curriculum. The curriculum aims to guide students on their own journeys, helping them to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.