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.

Celebration

This strand focuses on recognizing and celebrating the achievements and milestones of students. It includes activities that highlight personal growth, academic success, and positive behaviour, fostering a sense of pride and motivation.

Healthy Lifestyles

This strand promotes physical health and well-being through education on nutrition, exercise, and personal hygiene. It encourages students to adopt healthy habits and make informed choices about their lifestyle.

Mental Wellbeing

This strand aims to support students' mental and emotional health by teaching strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and practicing mindfulness. It includes activities that promote a positive mindset and emotional regulation.

Diversity & Equality

This strand enhances students' understanding and appreciation of different cultures. It includes lessons on cultural traditions, history, and contributions, fostering respect and inclusivity within the school community.

Character Education & Life Skills

This strand focuses on developing students' character traits such as empathy, integrity, responsibility, and leadership. It includes activities that encourage positive behaviour, ethical decision-making, and personal growth.

Aspirations

This strand provides students with opportunities to engage in a variety of experiences beyond the classroom. It includes extracurricular activities, field trips, and community involvement, broadening their horizons and enhancing their learning.

PSHE & Keeping Safe

This strand covers Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education, focusing on topics such as healthy relationships, personal safety, and financial literacy. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to make safe and informed choices

Environment

This strand teaches students about environmental conservation and sustainable practices. It includes activities that promote awareness of ecological issues and encourage responsible actions to protect the planet.

British Values at St. James’

 At the heart of St. James’ is our Christian beliefs and values. We encourage the children to recognise that they are part of the wider British society, which is multicultural and multi-faith in its composition (in fact one of our St James Pathway curriculum drivers is ‘Diversity & Equality’. We also understand that we have a crucial role to play in ensuring that our children become valuable and fully rounded members of society, who treat others with respect and tolerance and are fully prepared for life in modern Britain. This statement outlines the key British values we actively promote.

Democracy:

At St.James’ Primary School, the principle of democracy is reinforced through democratic decision-making by the children. Elections are held to elect Eco Councillors and Pupil Leadership Team. The Pupil Leadership Team is also responsible for initiating part of the School Development Plan and for holding the school to account for its implementation. Each class decides on its pledge to support the principles of good learning and behaviour in their class.

At Saint James’ we ‘actively promote’, as set out by the government, the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

A key part of our education is to ensure that all children at St James’ become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance, regardless of background. This ensures that our children understand the importance of respect and leave our school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

Tolerance of those of different faiths and religions:

 The school community reflects a number of different cultures, faiths and beliefs. Through the school curriculum we educate the children to understand their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in the school community.  Children are encouraged to share their faith and beliefs within the school. Our Religious Education curriculum follows Wigan Council’s Religious Education policy and is part of a broad and balanced curriculum that educates children about a range of faiths, religions and cultures. 

We have zero tolerance to those who discriminate against people of different cultures, faiths or beliefs.

Mutual Respect

Respect is the core of our school ethos and is modelled by children and staff alike. The school promotes self- respect and respect for others and these are taught through our classroom and learning environments. In line with our commitment to democracy children are always able to voice their opinions and we have created an environment where children are able to voice their concerns and also are safe to disagree with each other.

Individual Liberty: 

At St James’ children are actively encouraged to make independent choices, knowing that they are in a safe, secure and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide the environment for children to make choices safely.  Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms. They receive education on their rights and responsibilities through the curriculum.

Rule of Law:

The importance of laws, whether they are those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced throughout the school as a recognition of the rights of the school community to be respected and be able to learn without disruption. Children are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. We have visits from the Police and the Fire Service as an important part of our curriculum to help reinforce this message.

Celebration

This strand focuses on recognizing and celebrating the achievements and milestones of students. It includes activities that highlight personal growth, academic success, and positive behaviour, fostering a sense of pride and motivation.

• Weekly Celebration Assemblies take place every Friday, where we recognise achievements, milestones, and positive contributions across the school.
• Birthdays are celebrated with joy, and children are encouraged to wear their own clothes to feel special and recognised on their big day.
• Our annual Remembrance Service provides a reflective moment for the whole school to honour and remember those who have served in wars, fostering respect and gratitude.
• Carols Around the Tree marks the beginning of the festive season, bringing together children, families, and staff in a heartwarming community celebration.
• We celebrated as a whole school when we won the Times Tables Rock Stars Easter competition—an exciting achievement that highlighted our love for learning.
• Sports Day is a celebration of individuality and teamwork, where children wear their favourite sportswear to showcase their hobbies and interests.
• World Book Day is a vibrant celebration of reading, with children dressing up as their favourite book characters. We celebrate our reading journey through our rich curriculum, unique reading spine, and whole-school achievements in Accelerated Reader.
• Our school netball and football teams are regularly celebrated in assemblies, recognising their dedication, teamwork, and sporting spirit.
• WOWS sporting competitions are celebrated with pride, with certificates and medals awarded through the Wigan West Games, encouraging participation and perseverance.
• Out-of-school achievements are also recognised, with children proudly sharing their awards and club details. This information is displayed on our dedicated Sports Wall to inspire others.
• Our choir takes part in the WOWS Music Festival, showcasing their talent and love for music in a wider community setting.
• Year 6 PROM is a special celebration of our pupils’ journey at St James’, marking their achievements and memories before they move on to the next chapter.
• A wide range of celebrations can be explored on our school website, where we regularly share photos, stories, and highlights from across the year.

Healthy Lifestyles

This strand promotes physical health and well-being through education on nutrition, exercise, and personal hygiene. It encourages students to adopt healthy habits and make informed choices about their lifestyle.

• The Wigan BeWell Team collaborates with both children and parents through after-school clubs, promoting healthy habits, balanced nutrition, and active living.
• Jack Hammond, our Specialist Instructor for “Let’s Get Moving,” works with every year group, delivering engaging sessions that focus on healthy eating, physical activity, and overall wellbeing.
• Staff lead by example, sharing their own healthy lifestyle choices. From nutritious lunches to participation in sports clubs, staff inspire pupils—two have shared their marathon journeys, and another has showcased their involvement in cheerleading through video footage.
• We have a long-standing 14-year partnership with Wigan Warriors, offering after-school sports activities, exciting visits to the club, and opportunities to meet professional players, enriching our physical education programme.
• Sports personalities such as Tom Sturges and Ben Seward from the PDLR Wigan Warriors Team have visited the school, motivating children to stay active and pursue their goals.
• Our annual Sports Day, in collaboration with Wigan Warriors, is a highlight of the school year. Feedback from both parents and pupils is consistently 100% positive, reflecting the joy and community spirit it brings.
• We proudly support Wigan Warriors during the Challenge Cup, with school visits to cheer them on and a “Good Luck” banner from St James’ always displayed at the club’s entrance—celebrating local pride and teamwork.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

This strand aims to support students' mental and emotional health by teaching strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and practicing mindfulness. It includes activities that promote a positive mindset and emotional regulation.

• The “My Happy Mind” programme is delivered weekly in every class, equipping children with tools to build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional literacy.
• Children involved in “My Happy Mind” have led a whole-school assembly, sharing their learning and promoting positive mental health strategies with peers.
• A whole-school sensory circuit is implemented to support calm and focused transitions, particularly during afternoon lessons, helping children regulate their emotions and prepare for learning.
• Daily nurture sessions are provided by our Learning Mentor, offering targeted emotional support for selected pupils in a safe and supportive environment.
• All staff are trained in trauma-informed approaches, including the use of WINE (What’s Important Now Emotionally) questions, ensuring consistent and compassionate responses to children’s emotional needs.
• Regular meetings with parents and carers are held to discuss children’s mental health, ensuring a collaborative approach to support and intervention.
• Lunchtime clubs are available for children who benefit from quieter, structured environments, providing a calm space for social interaction and emotional regulation during unstructured times.

Diversity & Equality

This strand enhances students' understanding and appreciation of different cultures. It includes lessons on cultural traditions, history, and contributions, fostering respect and inclusivity within the school community.

• At St James’, we are proud to celebrate and embrace the rich diversity within our school and wider community. We are committed to promoting equality, inclusion, and respect for all, through meaningful experiences and inclusive practices:
• Children of all backgrounds are welcomed and valued, with opportunities to visit a range of places of worship—including our local church, a mosque, and a synagogue—to deepen understanding and respect for different faiths and cultures.
• Mutual respect for diverse beliefs and traditions is actively promoted, with children encouraged to explore and celebrate the richness of world religions and cultural practices.
• Cultural and religious traditions are celebrated across the school, including Christingle-making, Harvest, Christmas, and Easter services at St James’ Church, and Chinese New Year activities in EYFS.
• The Lighthouse after-school club and Sunday worship sessions offer inclusive opportunities for children and families to engage in faith-based activities together.
• Specialist nurture provision—Three Shells, Little Shells, and Mini Shells—supports children with a range of additional needs, offering calm, structured environments with tailored interventions to ensure every child can thrive.
• Three Shells supports children with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs through adaptive timetables, sensory circuits, and mindfulness.
• Little Shells focuses on cognition and learning, using small group teaching and targeted interventions such as SALT.
• Mini Shells supports children with communication and interaction needs, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), through sensory-rich, individualised learning.
• We celebrate gender equality in sport, with strong links to both the men’s and women’s teams at Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors, including the PLDR team.
• We actively promote inclusive recruitment, encouraging applications from ethnically diverse and neurodiverse candidates to reflect and enrich our school community.
• We are proud recipients of the ADHD Friendly School Award, recognising our commitment to neurodiversity through initiatives such as:
• Whole-school sensory circuits
• Emotion coaching and mindful spaces
• A strengths-based approach to neurodiversity
• Superhero Day and Neurodiversity Week, with active parent/carer involvement
• Strong interfaith relationships are nurtured, including a close partnership with the local Imam. Visits to the mosque are planned for all pupils in Years 1–6 during the summer term.
• We support national and local fundraising events, such as:

Children in Need, where children wear spotty clothes and donate to charity

New Hope Fundraiser, featuring dance activities throughout the day and a community cake sale

Character Education

This strand focuses on developing students' character traits such as empathy, integrity, responsibility, and leadership. It includes activities that encourage positive behaviour, ethical decision-making, and personal growth.

At St James’, we believe in nurturing responsible, confident, and compassionate individuals. We provide a range of leadership roles and responsibilities that empower our pupils to contribute positively to school life and develop essential life skills:

• Head Girl and Head Boy
  Representing the voice of the pupils, our Head Girl and Head Boy are role models who lead by example, support school events, and help welcome visitors to our school.
• School Council
  Elected by their peers, School Council members meet regularly to discuss ideas, share pupil feedback, and help shape decisions that affect the whole school community.
• Sports Leaders
  These pupils promote active lifestyles by supporting physical activities, leading warm-ups, and encouraging teamwork and fair play during sports events and break times.
• Prefects
  Prefects take on a variety of responsibilities around the school, helping to maintain a positive and respectful environment by supporting staff and younger pupils.
• Librarians
  Our pupil librarians help manage the school library, promote a love of reading, and assist their peers in choosing books that match their interests and reading levels.
• Worship Warriors
  These pupils support collective worship by helping to plan and lead assemblies, share reflections, and promote spiritual development across the school.

Aspirations

This strand provides students with opportunities to engage in a variety of experiences beyond the classroom. It includes extracurricular activities, field trips, and community involvement, broadening their horizons and enhancing their learning.

At St James’, we believe in providing meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, ambition, and a love for learning beyond the classroom. Our enrichment opportunities are designed to help children dream big and see the possibilities for their future.

• Educational Visits
  Pupils take part in a wide range of trips that bring learning to life and spark new interests, including:
  • Farm visits to explore rural life and animal care
  • Martin Mere for hands-on learning about wildlife and conservation
  • Museum visits to deepen historical and cultural understanding
  • Cuerden Valley Park for outdoor learning and environmental education
  • Jodrell Bank to inspire awe and wonder through space science
• Residential Experiences
  Our residential trips offer children the chance to build independence, confidence, and teamwork. These include:
  • Theatre visits to experience live performance and the arts
  • Meals out to develop social skills and enjoy new experiences
  • Visits to iconic buildings to explore architecture, history, and civic pride
• Sporting Aspirations
  Through the WOWS sporting events, children participate in competitive games that promote resilience, teamwork, and a healthy sense of achievement.

PSHE & Keeping safe

This strand covers Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education, focusing on topics such as healthy relationships, personal safety, and financial literacy. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to make safe and informed choices

.

At St James’, we are committed to equipping our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to stay safe both online and offline. Our PSHE curriculum is designed to be proactive, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our children and community.

• Safety is embedded across the curriculum, particularly through PSHE and Computing, where children learn about online safety, personal boundaries, and making safe choices.
• We work closely with local police and community support officers, who regularly visit the school to deliver workshops and assemblies on key safety topics.
• Safer Internet Day is marked with a whole-school assembly, including a powerful session from CST Grooming, helping children understand the risks and how to protect themselves online.
• Road, water, and fire safety presentations are delivered to all pupils, ensuring they are aware of everyday hazards and how to respond safely.
• A dedicated assembly on knife crime was delivered to raise awareness and promote positive decision-making among older pupils.
• Anti-Bullying Week is a key part of our PSHE calendar, where each class explores the theme through discussions, videos (including clips from Wigan Warriors), and creative presentations shared with the whole school.
• Every child has a trusted adult or “go-to person” they can speak to if they feel worried, unsafe, or need support.
• A “Worry Box” is available outside the Three Shells room, where children can confidentially share their concerns. This is checked weekly by our Lead Learning Mentor, who follows up with appropriate support.

Environment

This strand teaches students about environmental conservation and sustainable practices. It includes activities that promote awareness of ecological issues and encourage responsible actions to protect the planet.

• School Gardening Projects:

Some pupils as part of their nurture sessions take part in planting wildlife seeds and plants in our School Grounds.

• Recycling and Waste Reduction:

We promote recycling across the school, including paper, plastics, and food waste. Children are taught about the impact of waste and how to reduce it.

• Walk to School Initiatives:

We promote walking, cycling, or scootering to school to reduce carbon emissions and encourage healthy lifestyles.

• Clothing:

We host swap events to encourage reusing and recycling items, reducing waste and promoting community sharing.

• Pond Area:
  Our pond area provides a valuable outdoor learning environment where children can observe and explore the life cycle of pond organisms firsthand. This experiential learning opportunity directly supports the objectives of our science curriculum by fostering curiosity and developing scientific observation skills.

• Woodland Area:
  Our woodland area is a dynamic outdoor classroom, particularly beneficial for our younger learners who participate in weekly “Wellie Walks.” These guided explorations encourage children to investigate the natural world, promoting inquiry-based learning. The space is utilized by all year groups throughout the year to support science units and to enhance literacy by offering a unique setting for reading and discussing class novels.