Our Curriculum Mustard Tree

Like everything in our school, our curriculum is based around the principle of our Mustard Tree (our school vision).

The trunk of our tree is created from our unique Personal Development Curriculum, which inspires our children to become courageous advocates of their future.

Personal Development at Harrietsham

At Harrietsham, our commitment to Personal Development is evident in our holistic approach - with our Personal Development Curriculum acting as the trunk of our Mustard Tree, from which all other aspects of our children's growth stem.

Our Personal Development curriculum ensures that our children grow into courageous advocates and develop the character, confidence, and resilience essential for future success.

Intent:

Our Personal Development curriculum intent is centered around a commitment and dedication to nurturing responsible, respectful, and active citizens, with a strong emphasis on British Values and equality - with children being helped to understand protected characteristics to promote an inclusive environment.  Through our nurturing ethos, we aim to grow courageous advocates who are equipped with the lifeskills, knowledge and passion to support a sustainable and safe future for generations to come.

Implementation:

At the heart of our Personal Development curriculum is nurture.  Our curriculum is implemented through our nurturing ethos, which helps children to grow and develop socially and emotionally in a safe environment with emotionally safe adults to support them.  We believe that when children feel safe and secure they are ready to learn. 

Personal Development at Harrietsham is implemented through a rich tapestry of experiences - both trips within the local and wider area and awe and wonder inspiring activities within school.  We make full use of our school grounds and Forest School to develop our sense of the world around us.  Our learning encompasses not only key life skills, PSHE and RSE, but also a wide array of extra-curricular activities and opportunities for pupil voice.  Each of our classes experience a timetabled amount of child initiated time (which looks different in different year groups) which allows our children to lead their own learning and to learn more about the characteristics of effective learning and how they can grow and develop these characteristics within themselves.

Impact:

The impact is observable in our children's well-developed spiritual, moral, social, and cultural understanding, alongside their readiness for the next phase of education, demonstrating a cohesive and effective provision that addresses the diverse needs of all learners.

Our Personal Development Overview

Our Personal Development Curriculum is structured via a focus on different concepts which we feel are important for our children.  Each concept is then broken down to key areas of focus and learning within each focus is sequenced for every year group in the school.

Concept 1: Nurture

For more detailed information about Nurture at Harrietsham, see here: 

Concept 2: Character Development 

Here at Harrietsham, we place a significant emphasis on the holistic development of our children, fostering strong character development alongside academic achievement. This is deeply embedded in our approach to Personal, Social, Health, and Citizenship Education (PSHCE), which underpins all learning.  Our school cultivates an environment that promotes self-esteem and emotional well-being, helping children to build and maintain respectful relationships. Key to their character development is the focus on mental health and building resilience, equipping children with the ability to "bounce back" from challenges, manage emotions, control impulses, and maintain optimism. Through a combination of explicit teaching and a supportive school ethos, Harrietsham aims to develop independent, empathetic, and problem-solving individuals ready to navigate the world with aspirations, confidence and kindness.

Continuous Provision at Harrietsham

Across all primary years, from Reception to Year 6, continuous provision plays a vital role in fostering essential life skills and personal development. By offering carefully planned and accessible resources within the classroom, children are empowered to engage in self-directed learning, exploration, and problem-solving at their own pace. This approach nurtures independence as our children make choices about their activities, develop resilience when encountering challenges, and learn to collaborate with their peers in various play-based scenarios. Through continuous provision, our children are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, promoting curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills that are fundamental for both academic success and navigating the complexities of everyday life.

Genius Hour at Harrietsham

Genius Hour, an innovative approach to child-initiated learning, offers a dynamic and engaging experience for our children in Years 5 and 6. Within this framework, our children are empowered to explore topics of personal interest, fostering autonomy and a deeper sense of ownership over their education. This often involves researching a chosen subject, developing a project or presentation, and sharing their findings with peers - thereby cultivating essential skills in inquiry, critical thinking, and communication. For our children in Years 5 and 6, Genius Hour provides a valuable opportunity to bridge the gap between structured curriculum and independent learning, preparing them for future academic challenges while nurturing their innate curiosity and passion for discovery.

For more detailed information about Courageous Advocacy at Harrietsham, see here: 

Concept 3: Sustainability

At Harrietsham Church of England Primary School, we believe that it is important to teach our children about sustainability so that they can help take care of the world around them. We want our children to understand how their everyday choices, such as recycling, saving water, and caring for nature, can make a big difference. Our focus on sustainability links closely to our school values of love and fellowship, as we encourage children to show love for our planet and work together to protect it. By learning these values early, our children grow into thoughtful, responsible citizens who care about safeguarding the world for future generations.

Concept 4: Spirituality

For more detailed information about Spirituality at Harrietsham, see here: 

Concept 5: Wider opportunities

We place a strong emphasis on enriching our children's curriculum by offering a diverse range of carefully planned trips, visits, and unique experiences. As well offering our children a programme of educational outings linked to classroom topics, the school orchestrates various "experience days" that bring learning to life within the school grounds. We look to engage our children in their learning through hands-on activities, supported by specialist visitors who offer experiences which foster our children's academic, personal, and social growth. The local area and amenities are integral to our curriculum with a range of planned train and bus trips that visit many of Kent's wonderful sights. Additionally, older pupils benefit from valuable residential trips, with overnight experiences for Years 4-6. In addition, plan for our children to take part in a range of sporting events and competitions and opportunities for engagement with The Arts.

Whole school events

We enrich our children's academic year with a calendar of whole-school events which aim to foster a sense of community and provide our children with diverse learning experiences. Dedicated weeks, such as Science Week, Book Week, and Enterprise Week immerse our children in focused, hands-on learning, encouraging curiosity and the development of practical skills. We actively participate in national initiatives like Black History Month, Anti-bullying Week, and charitable events such as Red Nose Day/Children In Need, promoting awareness, empathy, and social responsibility. Traditional celebrations like the Harvest Festival and commemorative events for Remembrance Day instill a sense of heritage and collective memory. Furthermore, the excitement of annual Pantomimes and a whole-school Theatre production, alongside the competitive spirit of Sports Day, ensure a well-rounded educational journey filled with memorable shared experiences for all of our children.

Concept 6: British Values

For more detailed information about British Values at Harrietsham, see here: 

Concept 7: Life skills

At Harrietsham, our Life Skills curriculum is not an isolated subject.  Rather, it is an embedded thread woven throughout the entire school experience. Recognising that genuine learning extends beyond academic knowledge, we intentionally design opportunities for our children to acquire practical competencies and to develop crucial personal attributes. This encompasses everything from fostering independence through continuous provision in Early Years, to explicit teaching within PSHE and RSE lessons on topics such as healthy relationships, financial literacy, and online safety. Furthermore, our children are encouraged to undertake various roles and responsibilities within the school, participate in pupil voice initiatives, lead activities, and engage in community projects - all of which build resilience, problem-solving abilities, and a strong sense of civic duty. Our aim is to equip every child at Harrietsham with the adaptable skills and confident mindset needed to navigate the complexities of modern life and thrive as well-rounded individuals.