Cultural Capital at Greasby Junior School

 

 

Developing Educated, Confident and Capable Young Citizens

 

At Greasby Junior School, we are committed to providing our children with a rich, engaging and broad curriculum that supports the development of cultural capital. We understand cultural capital to be:

 

“The essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens. It is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours and skills that a child can draw upon and which supports them to be successful in society, their career and the world of work.”

— Ofsted & DfE

 

We see cultural capital not as an “add-on” but as a golden thread running through everything we do—equipping pupils with a well-rounded set of experiences and knowledge that prepares them for life beyond primary school.

 

1. Knowledge and Understanding of the World

We ensure pupils develop a deep and broad understanding of the world through first-hand experiences that complement their learning across the curriculum:

·         Curriculum-rich trips to Liverpool Museum, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, Roman Chester, Philharmonic Hall, and the Walker Art Gallery deepen learning in history, geography, science, and the arts.

·         Community engagement activities include visits to local churches, letter-writing and card-delivery projects to local care homes, and participation in litter picks, fostering a sense of citizenship and social responsibility.

·         Enrichment days such as Mayan Day bring ancient civilisations and historical learning to life.

·         Our pupils also take part in cross-school events like the MAT ‘Night at the Musicals’, which offers opportunities for shared cultural experiences beyond their immediate school community.

·         Year 5 participate in careers focused learning called Positive Footprints.

 

2. Social Confidence and Oracy

Developing children’s ability to communicate confidently and collaborate effectively is central to our curriculum:

·         Regular opportunities for public speaking include class assemblies, reading aloud in lessons, and leading presentations.

·         All children participate in performance opportunities throughout their school journey:

o   Year 3/4 Christmas Services

o   Year 5 Easter Service

o   Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly and Production

o   Rock Steady music concerts

o   Spring Serenade musical showcase

o   Through roles such as School Council representatives and Values Ambassadors, pupils regularly present ideas, lead discussions and represent peers' voices.

 

3. Cultural and Artistic Appreciation

We believe all children should be exposed to high-quality arts and cultural experiences:

·         Children learn an instrument during their time at Greasby—currently, all Year 4 pupils receive weekly ukulele lessons in the Autumn Term.

·         Our broad art curriculum encourages exploration of different cultures, artists and styles.

·         We enrich the curriculum with visits to galleries and performances.

·         Pupils enjoy whole-school music experiences through Rock Steady, MAT events, and curriculum-linked musical themes.

·         Reading and texts are selected with cultural diversity and inclusion in mind, allowing children to appreciate experiences different from their own.

 

4. Resilience, Independence and Wellbeing

Our wide range of extracurricular, physical and outdoor learning experiences supports the development of resilience and independence:

·         Pupils attend two residential trips (Year 4 & Year 6), developing problem-solving, teamwork and self-reliance.

·         A variety of sports competitions and festivals (both within school and across the MAT) promote team spirit, healthy competition and perseverance.

·         Our gardening club and dedicated gardening area allow children to engage in long-term environmental and sustainability projects.

·         We promote pupil wellbeing through clubs, quiet spaces at events, and supportive transition activities, particularly in Year 2 and Year 6.

 

5. Leadership and Agency

We provide purposeful leadership roles to help children develop a sense of ownership, voice and responsibility within our school:

·         Children apply and are elected to a variety of pupil leadership roles:

·         House Captains

·         Values Ambassadors

·         Eco Council

·         School Council

·         Play Leaders

·         Pupils lead and take ownership of initiatives such as:

·         Charity Week fundraising activities

·         Christmas Fair, where children run stalls and games

·         Assemblies linked to school values or global events

·         Through these roles, pupils develop accountability, time management, decision-making, and teamwork.

 

6. Love of Reading and Literacy for Life

We foster a reading culture that supports imagination, empathy, and lifelong learning:

·         Children are immersed in high-quality texts from a wide range of genres, time periods and cultures, with a well-resourced school library and class libraries.

·         Events and initiatives include:

o   World Book Day (WBD) celebrations

o   Extreme Reads challenge

o   Sponsored Reads to raise money for reading resources

o   Book fairs and regular author visits

o   Reading aloud to an adult, bedtime story initiatives, and reading challenges supported by the local library help foster reading enjoyment at home and school.

o   Pupils participate in the Chris Salmon Poetry Competition and selected children attend a Poetry Camp, culminating in a public performance.

 

7. Digital Literacy and Future Readiness

We equip children with the digital skills and awareness they need to thrive in an ever-changing world:

·         Our Digital Wizards Club allows pupils to explore coding, robotics, and virtual reality.

·         We host Science Week and Mad Science Club, encouraging exploration and discovery.

·         We integrate digital apps and platforms across subjects to enhance learning and teach responsible use of technology.

·         Visitors from STEM careers and secondary school links provide pupils with insights into future opportunities and career pathways.

 

Our Vision for Cultural Capital

Our commitment is to nurture well-rounded, knowledgeable and thoughtful individuals who are confident to explore the world and shape their futures. Cultural capital at Greasby Junior School is not a checklist—it is an embedded part of our ethos, curriculum, and daily life.

 

We are proud to provide an environment where every child, regardless of background, can access the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to become educated citizens of tomorrow.