Philosophy
SMSC stands for spiritual, moral, social and cultural values. These values are central to the work we do at Thornhill Primary School: the personal development of our pupils’ values plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve and contribute in a positive way in society. We are committed to promoting this area in our school and ensuring our pupils have wide ranging experiences to embed these core values within school life and support our pupils with their personal development.
SMSC links to all aspects of our curriculum, particularly in the areas of PSHE, RE, RSE and British Values. It also is closely aligned to our high expectations of behaviours and attitudes from everyone in our school community.
One of the aims at Thornhill Primary School is to provide our pupils with enriching experiences: In school, this is through our curriculum as well as visitors, workshops, after school clubs and Golden Days, and outside of school with our planned educational and residential visits and links to events in the local community. We also feel it is important to inform pupils about national and global issues and we cover these through a wide range of assemblies and sharing information with parents.
Enrichment Vision
At Thornhill Primary School, we believe that every child deserves access to a rich, broad and ambitious range of experiences beyond the academic curriculum. Enrichment is fundamental to our commitment to developing confident, resilient, knowledgeable and well-rounded young people who are prepared for the next stage of their education and life.
Our enrichment programme ensures that all pupils, regardless of background, need or circumstance, can access high-quality opportunities that develop their character, talents, interests, aspirations and cultural capital. We are committed to removing barriers to participation by funding opportunities wherever possible and ensuring enrichment is fully inclusive for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
This strategy aligns with the Department for Education’s Enrichment Framework and supports pupils’ personal development through a planned, progressive and equitable programme of experiences. It also reflects Thornhill’s commitment to SMSC development, British Values, wellbeing and academic success.
Our Enrichment Principles
At Thornhill Primary School, we aim to ensure:
1. Every Child Participates
Every pupil will access a wide range of enrichment opportunities throughout their primary education, including sporting, cultural, creative, technological and outdoor learning experiences.
2. Equality of Opportunity
Financial barriers will never prevent participation. Educational visits, visitors and many enrichment experiences are fully funded by the school to ensure equitable access for all pupils.
3. Progressive Experiences
Enrichment is carefully planned from Nursery to Year 6, building pupils’ confidence, independence, leadership skills, knowledge and aspirations over time.
4. Character Development
Opportunities promote resilience, teamwork, responsibility, leadership, creativity, communication and independence.
5. Community Engagement
Pupils actively contribute to and learn from their local community through partnerships, volunteering and community-based experiences.
6. Pupil Voice
Children help shape enrichment opportunities through pupil leadership groups and regular feedback.
Enrichment Benchmarks
1) A Planned and Progressive Enrichment Programme
Enrichment is embedded within the curriculum and school calendar.
Provision includes:
- Forest School programme from Reception to Year 6
- Weekly assemblies promoting British Values, diversity, reading and personal development
- Golden Days linked to curriculum themes
- Educational visits and visitors every term
- Sports festivals and competitions
- Reading enrichment activities
- Community projects
- Careers-linked learning
- Residential and outdoor learning experiences
- Booster programmes to support achievement and confidence
The impact of enrichment is monitored through pupil voice, attendance, behaviour, participation data and curriculum outcomes.
2: Belonging and Participation
All pupils are encouraged and supported to participate fully.
Opportunities include:
Pupil Leadership Groups
- School Council
- Eco Councillors
- Digital Leaders
- Librarians
- Peer Mentors
- Buddies
Pupil groups meet regularly and lead activities throughout the year, promoting leadership and responsibility.
Lunchtime Enrichment
Structured lunchtime activities are available every day and are supervised by teaching staff.
Provision includes:
- Organised sports activities
- Buddy games
- Reading and drawing clubs
- Quiet social areas
- Pupil-led enrichment opportunities
This ensures pupils remain engaged, active and supported during social times.
3: Developing Character and Life Skills
We intentionally develop character through:
- Team sports
- Residential experiences
- Forest School
- Community projects
- Performances and concerts
- School productions
- Reading ambassador opportunities
- Enterprise activities
- Fiver Challenge
- School council responsibilities
- Sporting leadership roles
These experiences help pupils develop resilience, determination, confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.
4: Wider Skills and Talents
Music
Music is a significant strength of Thornhill Primary School.
Provision includes:
- Specialist music teacher from Nursery to Year 6
- School-funded music lessons
- Brass tuition
- Ukulele tuition
- Violin tuition
- Recorder opportunities
- School band
- Public performances and concerts
- Music Mark recognised provision
All pupils have opportunities to perform and develop musical talents regardless of financial circumstance. The children have performed at the GlassHouse, Gateshead, Locomotion Museum, Bishop Town Hall and the Civic Hall, Shildon.
Languages
- Specialist French teacher
- Progressive French curriculum
- European Day of Languages celebrations
- Cultural awareness activities
Arts and Creativity
- Art workshops
- Photography projects
- Sculpture projects
- Parent art workshops
- Whole-school theatre experiences
- Creative curriculum days
Technology and Innovation
Pupils have access to:
- Individual iPads
- Bee Bots
- Indy Cars
- Sphero Bolts
- 3D Printers
- Coding projects
- Digital leadership opportunities
These experiences prepare pupils for an increasingly technological world.
Sport
Sport plays a significant role in the wider development of pupils at Thornhill Primary School. We are committed to providing all children with opportunities to develop physical skills, confidence, teamwork, resilience and sporting talent.
Pupils benefit from:
- A minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity and PE each day
- Access to a specialist PE teacher
- Support from external sports coaches and providers
- Regular intra-school competitions across a range of sports
- Participation in local sports festivals and events
- Competitive opportunities against other schools
- Inclusive sporting activities for all abilities
- Leadership opportunities through sport
- Access to a wide range of specialist equipment and activities including curling, boccia, golf, tennis and boxercise
- Swimming provision in Years 3 and 5 for a full academic year
Through these opportunities, pupils can discover and develop individual talents, experience competition, learn the value of teamwork and develop positive attitudes towards lifelong participation in physical activity.
5: Physical Development and Healthy Lifestyles
Physical activity is embedded into everyday school life.
Provision includes:
Daily Physical Activity
- PE every day
- Specialist PE teacher
- Intra-school competitions
- Sports festivals
- Competitive leagues
- Additional support for younger pupils
Specialist Sports Equipment
Pupils access activities including:
- Tennis
- Curling
- Boccia
- Golf
- Boxercise
- Athletics
- Dodgeball
- Netball
Swimming
Swimming is provided for:
- Year 3 pupils (full academic year)
- Year 5 pupils (full academic year)
Outdoor Activity
- Climbing frame access across all year groups
- Forest School opportunities
- Residential and camping experiences
The school is committed to ensuring all pupils experience a broad range of physical activities regardless of ability.
6: Community and Social Action
Pupils contribute positively to the local community through:
- St John’s Church links
- Shildon Alive projects
- Locomotion partnerships
- Town Council links
- Community gardening
- Harvest collections
- Tree planting
- Litter picking
- Charity fundraising
- Intergenerational activities
These opportunities help pupils develop pride in their community and understand their role as active citizens.
7: Cultural Experiences
Every pupil accesses a range of cultural experiences during their time at Thornhill.
These include:
- Theatre visits
- Museums
- Galleries
- Concerts
- Religious visits
- Cultural workshops
- Diversity events
- World Book Day
- Anti-Bullying Week
- European Languages Day
- Chinese New Year celebrations
- Music performances
- Visiting speakers
These experiences broaden horizons and support pupils’ understanding of modern Britain and the wider world.
8: Inclusion and Equity
Thornhill Primary School is committed to ensuring enrichment is accessible to every child.
This includes:
- Free educational visits
- School-funded workshops
- School-funded music tuition
- SEND-adapted activities
- Access to sensory provision
- Dedicated sensory room
- Additional adult support where required
- Targeted inclusion opportunities for disadvantaged pupils
- Personalised support for pupils with additional needs
Leaders carefully monitor participation to ensure all groups are represented and barriers are promptly addressed.
Additional Thornhill Enrichment Entitlements
Every pupil will have access to:
✓ At least one educational visit and one visitor every term
✓ Weekly reading enrichment
✓ Daily physical activity
✓ Structured lunchtime provision
✓ Forest School opportunities
✓ Access to specialist teachers in PE, Music and French
✓ Opportunities to learn a musical instrument
✓ Access to a wide range of technology
✓ Participation in performances and concerts
✓ Sporting competitions and festivals
✓ Community experiences
✓ Leadership responsibilities
✓ Booster classes and academic enrichment opportunities
✓ Extra-curricular activities including discos, bingo events, concerts and celebration events
✓ Access to specialist SEND and sensory provision
Monitoring and Evaluation
The impact of the enrichment strategy will be evaluated through:
- Participation data
- Attendance figures
- Behaviour records
- Pupil voice surveys
- Parent feedback
- Governor monitoring
- Curriculum outcomes
- SEND and disadvantaged pupil participation rates
- Personal development evidence
The strategy will be reviewed annually by senior leaders and governors to ensure all pupils continue to benefit from a high-quality and inclusive enrichment offer.
We have planned our enrichment activities and visits carefully to match to our curriculum as well as the needs of all our pupils:
SMSC underpins everything we do in school, and provides our pupils with the tools, understanding and knowledge to make a positive contribution in society, respecting others, understanding actions and consequences and valuing themselves. We truly believe in our pupils making a difference as they leave our school and continue on their journey, wherever that will take them.
