At St Joseph’s Primary and Nursery School we develop children’s character through our behaviour curriculum which is rooted in Christ’s teaching and based on Gospel Virtues. In order to build character, we define the behaviours and habits that we expect students to demonstrate at all times. We want to support our pupils to grow into adults who are polite, respectful, grateful, kind, responsible and who always consider others. We believe that as pupils practise these behaviours, over time they become automatic routines that positively shape how they feel about themselves and how other people perceive them. Overtime, these form part of each child’s character so that they demonstrate the virtues in all areas of their lives.
Teaching the curriculum
The curriculum is taught explicitly during the first week in Autumn term alongside the traditional National Curriculum subjects. Children should learn the content of the curriculum so that they can recall the information and act upon it. At the start of each term, the behaviour curriculum is revisited with pupils and will continue to be reinforced throughout the year. Teachers will also demonstrate these behaviours and ensure pupils have time to practise these (particularly in the first few days of term). For example, a lining up order should be taught in the classroom but must be reinforced in different locations and times throughout the school day e.g. at lunchtime. It is expected that all pupils and staff will know this content and that staff will use the language of virtues and the behaviour curriculum when rewarding and reminding children throughout the school day, i.e Wonderful walking.
Adaptations
The behaviour curriculum is for all pupils to aim to achieve. However, it will be applied differently in different year groups depending on pupils’ age and individual educational needs. For example, some pupils may find it very uncomfortable to maintain eye-contact with adults or frequently display ‘wonderful walking’. Therefore, sensitivity must be applied at all times by all staff when reinforcing the behaviour curriculum.
