In our academy, 'community' means being a big, caring family where everyone belongs and feels valued. It's about children, teachers, staff, and parents/carers all working together, supporting each other, and celebrating our successes. We learn together, play together, and help each other out, creating a safe and happy place where everyone can thrive and feel connected. It's about being kind, respectful, and looking out for one another, both inside and outside the classroom.

Intent

At LAPW, our intent for the 'Community' is to cultivate engaged, responsible, and empathetic global citizens who understand their place and contribution within various communities. We aim to foster a deep appreciation for diversity, interconnectedness, and the reciprocal nature of relationships within local, national, and international contexts. Through our curriculum, we intend for students to:

Develop a strong sense of belonging and identity within their immediate school and family communities, extending outwards to their local area and beyond.
Understand the concept of 'community' in its multifaceted forms, recognizing the shared values, responsibilities, and challenges that bind groups of people together.
Appreciate the value of diversity within communities, celebrating different cultures, perspectives, and contributions.
Recognize their own roles and responsibilities as active participants in building and sustaining positive communities.
Cultivate empathy and compassion, understanding the needs of others and developing a desire to contribute positively to the well-being of their communities.
Develop practical skills for collaboration, communication, and problem-solving within group settings.

Be inspired to take action and make a tangible difference in their local and wider communities.

Implementation

Our learning of 'Community' is implemented through a spiral, progressive approach, integrating concepts and skills across various subjects and through a range of experiential learning opportunities.

Key Implementation Strategies:

Integrated Learning:
- PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education): Core lessons on relationships, respect, rights and responsibilities, belonging, and active citizenship.
- History: Studying local history, understanding how communities have evolved, and recognising the contributions of individuals and groups.
- Geography: Exploring local environments, understanding community planning, and examining global communities and their interconnectedness.
- English: Reading diverse literature that explores themes of community, identity, and social responsibility; engaging in persuasive writing to advocate for community issues.
- Art & Music: Celebrating cultural diversity through creative expression, participating in community art projects, and performing for local audiences.
- Science: Understanding environmental issues and their impact on local and global communities.
Experiential Learning:
- School Community Initiatives: Active participation in school councils, house systems, peer mentoring, and fundraising events.
- Local Community Engagement: Visits to local places of worship, care homes, food banks, and community centers. Participation in local clean-up drives, charitable events, and intergenerational projects.
- Guest Speakers: Inviting members of local emergency services, community leaders, and charity representatives to share their experiences.
- Service Learning Projects: Designing and implementing projects that address identified community needs, e.g., creating a community garden, organising a collection for a local charity.
- Global Citizenship Projects: Engaging with international issues and contributing to global initiatives (e.g., Fair Trade campaigns, supporting international charities, links to our link school in Bereko).
Values-Based Education: Explicit teaching and consistent reinforcement of values such as respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness, and cooperation.
Restorative Practices: Utilising restorative approaches to conflict resolution, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and repairing harm within the school community.

Parental and Wider Community Involvement: Encouraging parents and community members to contribute their skills and expertise, fostering a strong home-academy partnership.

Impact

The impact of our 'Community' learning will be evidenced through observable changes in the children’s attitudes, behaviours, knowledge, and skills. We expect our children to:

Demonstrate a strong sense of pride and belonging within the academy and local communities, actively participating in academy life and showing respect for their environment.
Articulate a clear understanding of what constitutes a community, identifying its key characteristics, benefits, and challenges.
Show increased empathy and understanding towards individuals from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating respect for different cultures and perspectives.
Consistently exhibit responsible and cooperative behaviours, both within the academy and in their interactions with the wider community.
Actively seek opportunities to contribute positively to their communities, demonstrating initiative and a willingness to help others.
Communicate effectively and collaboratively when working in groups, demonstrating strong teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Develop an informed awareness of local, national, and global issues, and demonstrate a desire to be part of the solution.
Be confident in advocating for positive change within their communities, using their voices to make a difference.
Transition to the next stage of their education and beyond as well-rounded, socially conscious individuals who are equipped to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

Impact will be assessed through a variety of methods, including: children’s self-reflection, teacher observation, participation in community projects, child-led presentations, and discussions demonstrating critical thinking about community issues.