At Pleasant Street Primary School, we believe that education is about much more than the National Curriculum. We enrich children’s learning through a wide range of experiences, including Forest School, educational visits, visitors, sports, performances, clubs, cultural events and leadership opportunities.
These experiences help our pupils develop confidence, curiosity, resilience and a love of learning, while creating memories that last a lifetime. We are committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to explore new interests, discover their talents and reach their full potential.
At Pleasant Street, learning goes beyond the classroom, helping children grow into happy, confident and well-rounded individuals.
Civic Engagement
We encourage our pupils to become active, responsible citizens who understand the importance of making a positive difference to their school and wider community. Examples of civic engagement opportunities at Pleasant Street Primary School include:
- School Council representatives are voted for each year, voting on school improvement ideas, planning events and sharing viewpoints of other pupils.
- Pupils fundraise for local and national events, charity appeals and food bank collections.
- Debating and discussions take place through class discussions, P4C sessions, in school assemblies and school council meetings. Pupils access Picture News and Newsround in collective worship sessions debating and discussing current issues from around the globe.
- Throughout the year we engage with the local community in events such as choir performances. links with Universities and Colleges, library and author visits and sessions and visits to cultural venues as part of the curriculum offer.
Through these experiences, children learn that their voice matters and that they have the power to contribute positively to their school, community and the wider world.
Arts and Culture
At Pleasant Street Primary School, pupils are encouraged to develop creativity, self-expression and an appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Liverpool and beyond through a wide range of artistic experiences.
- Educational visits are planned and woven throughout the curriculum. We take advantage of our proximity to local museums, art galleries, theatres, landmarks and locations, and use our school minibuses to travel further afield.
- A strong music curriculum is in place, with singing, composing and performing at its heart. There is a well-established choir led by two musicians that take part in regular performances and events including the opening of the new Mersey River Cruise ferry, Christmas events at Liverpool One and an end of year performance held in the amphitheatre of a local college.
- Opportunities for children to explore and perform using a variety of musical instruments. In Year 4, the pupils access wider opportunities playing the Ukulele.
- Pupils have taken part in after-school clubs led by The Blue Coat and produced art work for instillations at the Bombed Out Church.
- The children have the opportunity to visit local artwork and sculptures as part of the curriculum. They have enjoyed visits from local artists such as John Culshaw, Andy Edwards and Paul Curtis including witnessing real-life art installations in school. Pupils take part in graffiti workshops, producing a piece of work based on their interests.
- The pupils are currently collaborating on a Performance Poetry project with local poet, Roger Cliffe Thompson.
These opportunities help children build confidence, express themselves creatively and develop a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
Nature, Outdoors and Adventure
At Pleasant Street Primary School, pupils develop a strong connection with the natural world through outdoor learning, environmental projects and residential experiences.
- Forest school sessions give pupils regular opportunities to learn outdoors, develop confidence, build resilience and deepen their understanding of the natural environment. Activities include nature exploration, fire lighting, outdoor cooking, natural art and design, tool use and wildlife investigations.
- Pupils explore seasonal changes and biodiversity through hands-on investigations of habitats, wildlife and the natural environment.
- A gardening after-school club provides children with opportunities to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables. The children care for the plants and crops and learn about where food comes from. Some of the produce is given to the school chef, who incorporates them into the school menu.
- We encourage pupils to become environmentally responsible citizens through sustainability initiatives, including recycling, reducing waste, caring for our outdoor spaces and learning about climate change and environmental issues within the curriculum. Children are encouraged to consider how their actions can positively impact their local community and the wider world.
- Pupils have the opportunity to take part in residential visits from Y2, where they experience adventurous outdoor activities, teamwork challenges and environmental learning in a natural setting.
- The curriculum includes trips, visits and experiences such as Moel Famou, The River Alt, Thursaton, Mold, Beaumaris and London.
Through these experiences, children develop confidence, teamwork, environmental awareness and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.
Sport and Physical Activities
At Pleasant Street Primary School, we recognise the importance of physical activity in promoting health, wellbeing, teamwork and personal achievement. Pupils are encouraged to lead active lifestyles and take part in a wide range of sporting opportunities both within and beyond the curriculum.
- High-quality PE lessons are taught alongside a PE Coach and develop a range of skills across the curriculum.
- Pupils participate in competitive sports, representing the school in competitions and festivals. The teams have enjoyed success in recent years, winning tournaments and leagues in Girls and Boys Football and Cross-Country.
- Access to a variety of extra-curricular sports clubs, enabling children to develop new interests and talents.
- Active playtimes and leadership opportunities, with pupils supporting and encouraging physical activity across the school. The school have recently invested in an outdoor gym and a MUGA which is used regularly in PE and playtime sessions.
- Pupils have the opportunity to take part in the Daily Mile before school.
- Strong links have been made with the University of Liverpool and JMU, pupils use their facilities for swimming, after-school sessions and events such as Kinball, Sports Day and Team Games.
- Partnerships with local sports organisations and coaches, providing pupils with expert coaching and wider sporting experiences such as Capoeria.
- Pupils take part in Bikeability sessions, learning practical skills and information on how to cycle safely on modern roads.
Through these experiences, children develop confidence, determination and a positive attitude towards physical activity, while learning the value of teamwork, perseverance and healthy competition.
Wider Life and Future Skills
We prepare children for the opportunities and challenges of the modern world by developing essential life skills, digital confidence and aspirations for the future. Through our curriculum and enrichment opportunities, pupils gain the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to become successful learners and responsible citizens.
- A progressive Computing curriculum that develops digital literacy, computational thinking and online safety, helping pupils become confident and responsible users of technology.
- Specialist STEM ‘Awe and Wonder’ sessions delivered in partnership with computing specialists, where children work collaboratively on exciting projects involving robotics, coding, animation, drones, augmented reality and digital design.
- Careers events in Y6, where pupils visit local businesses and organisations to find out more about the World of Work and the types of career opportunities that are available.
- Life Savers, a financial education programme is part of the school curriculum. This includes the running of a school bank, pupils have been trained as cashiers and pupils have the opportunity to deposit their savings once a week.
- Our school chef runs Cookery Classes based on the Leith’s Education x Plate Up programme. Pupils learn to cook recipes, following the chefs instructions and recipes. The food they create is taken home alongside a recipe card so that the children can cook the dish at home with their parents.
Through these experiences, pupils become confident problem-solvers, creative thinkers and responsible citizens who are well prepared for the next stage of their education and later life.
