Flourishing Adults and Children

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, our theologically rooted Christian vision—“To embody the love of God by championing justice and inspiring service”—shapes every aspect of school life. It calls us to treat every child and adult with dignity, compassion, and fairness, ensuring that all feel safe, valued, and deeply known.

We follow the example of Jesus, whose life was marked by love, inclusion, and transformation. Guided by our Christian values of Community, Aspiration, Learning, and Love, we celebrate the God-given uniqueness of every individual. These values are not just words—they are lived out daily in our classrooms, corridors, and community.

Our school is more than a place of learning—it is a family. Relationships are at the heart of what we do. Staff and pupils know each other well, and strong bonds are built on trust, empathy, and mutual respect. In this nurturing environment, everyone is encouraged to grow in confidence, character, and faith.

We believe that to live well together, we must model the values we teach. Inspired by John 10:10 – “Life in all its fullness”, we embrace both the joyful and challenging moments of life as opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow. Our ethos is one of care, encouragement, and resilience—where mistakes are seen as part of the journey and every voice matters.

At St. Michael’s, we are committed to creating a culture where all can flourish—spiritually, emotionally, and academically. Through our shared vision, we walk together in faith, hope, and love.

A Culture of Belonging and Compassion

Our school values—Community, Aspiration, Learning, and Love—are lived out daily in the way we care for one another. We believe that every child and adult is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

• Community: We foster strong, trusting relationships across the school. Pupils and staff describe St. Michael’s as a family where everyone is known and loved.
• Love: We model forgiveness, kindness, and empathy. Our behaviour policies are restorative and rooted in Christian compassion.
• Aspiration: We believe in the God-given potential of every individual and support them to thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
• Learning: We create safe spaces for reflection, growth, and challenge, recognising that mistakes are part of the journey.

Wellbeing and Mental Health: A Whole-School Commitment

At St. Michael’s, our commitment to wellbeing is deeply rooted in our Christian vision: “To embody the love of God by championing justice and inspiring service.” We believe that every child and adult is created in the image of God and deserves to be nurtured, supported, and empowered to flourish.

Dedicated Wellbeing Team

We are blessed with a team of compassionate professionals whose roles are specifically designed to protect and promote the emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of our school community:

• Mrs Jakhu – Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead: Oversees our whole-school approach to mental health, offering strategic guidance and direct support to pupils, staff, and families.
• Mrs Devi – Learning Mentor: Provides daily emotional support and mentoring, helping children navigate challenges and build resilience.
• Mrs Begum – Family Support Worker: Works closely with families to ensure children are supported holistically, both at home and in school.
• Ella Tucker – Community Hub Manager: Strengthens our links with the wider community, ensuring families have access to resources, services, and opportunities for growth.

These roles reflect our Christian calling to serve others, to walk alongside those in need, and to build a community where everyone is treated with dignity and love.

Weekly Wellbeing Sessions and Daily Support

Each week, pupils engage in structured wellbeing sessions that teach:

• Grounding techniques
• Emotional regulation
• Resilience and self-awareness

Children can also make daily self-referrals to Mrs Devi via our Wellbeing Post Box, empowering them to seek help independently and confidentially.

In 2025/26, we will be implementing the My Happy Mind curriculum—a nationally recognised programme that supports mental health through neuroscience-based strategies. This aligns with our Christian ethos by promoting self-worth, kindness, and community.

We are proud to be a School of Refuge, committed to welcoming and supporting children from all backgrounds, including those who have experienced trauma or displacement. As a UN Rights Respecting School, we uphold the dignity and rights of every child, echoing the biblical principle that all are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Prayer and Reflection Spaces

Every classroom at St. Michael’s includes a dedicated prayer and reflection area, offering children a quiet space to:

• Share their worries
• Find peace
• Connect with God

Daily acts of prayer are woven into the rhythm of school life, including morning prayers, lunchtime blessings, and end-of-day reflections. Importantly, children of other faiths are also given opportunities to pray in ways that are meaningful to them. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that spirituality is a universal human experience and that all children should feel respected and supported in their faith journey.

Peer Support and Pupil Leadership

We nurture a culture of mutual care and responsibility through a wide range of pupil leadership roles, including:

• Buddies for new pupils
• Young People’s Parliament (YPP)
• Green Influencers
• Peer Mediators
• Faith Council
• House Captains
• School Council

These roles empower children to lead, support their peers, and contribute to the wellbeing of the whole school. They reflect our Christian value of service, encouraging pupils to be courageous advocates and compassionate leaders.

Inclusive Play and Safe Spaces

For children who need calm and connection during busy times, we offer:

• Quiet lunchtime clubs in the Yurt – a peaceful, staffed space where children can access support from our learning mentor or student social worker.
• Breakfast Club support, where wellbeing staff are present to offer informal SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) care.

These provisions ensure that every child has a place to feel safe, heard, and supported—whether they need a moment of quiet, a listening ear, or a helping hand.

At St. Michael’s, wellbeing is not an add-on—it is a reflection of our Christian vision in action. We are committed to creating a school where every child and adult is nurtured, valued, and empowered to live life in all its fullness (John 10:10).

Inclusion and Equity

Celebrating Diversity and Championing Inclusion

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, we are proud to serve the richly diverse community of Handsworth. Our school is a place where every child is seen, heard, and celebrated. Rooted in our Christian vision—“To embody the love of God by championing justice and inspiring service”—we are committed to ensuring that every pupil feels a deep sense of belonging, purpose, and value.

Celebrating All Cultures and Faiths

One of our core curriculum drivers is Cultural Heritage. We believe that children thrive when they see their identities reflected in what they learn. Our curriculum is intentionally designed to explore and celebrate the histories, contributions, and lived experiences of our pupils, with a strong focus on Black British and South Asian British history. This not only affirms our pupils’ identities but also fosters empathy, understanding, and unity across our school community.

Our RE curriculum is academically rigorous and theologically rich. Children study Christianity in depth, while also engaging meaningfully with other world faiths. Daily prayers include contributions from different religious traditions, and children of all faiths are encouraged to pray in ways that are authentic to them. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that all are made in the image of God and that spiritual development is a universal human experience.

Supporting Vulnerable Pupils with Compassion and Care

Our approach to inclusion is grounded in our Christian calling to love and serve others. We are committed to identifying and supporting vulnerable pupils early, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish.

Our SEND Vision is clear: “We believe that all children are unique and special, and that every child has the right to a high-quality education that enables them to achieve their full potential.” This belief is lived out through:

• The Nest – a nurturing, therapeutic space within school where children with additional needs receive tailored support in a calm, structured environment. The Nest reflects our Christian ethos of care, healing, and restoration.
• A dedicated SENDCo who leads a team of staff committed to inclusive practice.
• A strong partnership with families, recognising that collaboration is key to pupil success.

Quality First Teaching and the Graduated Approach

We use Quality First Teaching as the foundation of our inclusive practice. This means:

• Lessons are carefully planned to meet the needs of all learners.
• Teachers use adaptive strategies to ensure access and engagement.
• High expectations are maintained for every child.

This is supported by a graduated approach, where additional interventions are introduced as needed, based on ongoing assessment and dialogue with families. This model is effective because it is responsive, personalised, and rooted in the belief that every child can succeed with the right support.

Monitoring Progress and Closing Gaps

We are relentless in our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind. We monitor progress closely and adapt our support accordingly. Key initiatives include:

• Mrs K. Devi – Reading Teacher: Works specifically with the lowest 20% of readers to close gaps and build confidence.
• Mrs Jakhu – EAL Support: A dedicated staff member teaches English to EAL pupils every afternoon, ensuring they can access the curriculum and thrive.
• Community Hub English Classes: We extend our support to families by offering English lessons to EAL parents, helping them engage more fully in school life and support their children’s learning.

At St. Michael’s, inclusion is not just a policy—it is a reflection of our faith. We believe that every child is a gift from God, and we are committed to nurturing their potential with love, dignity, and hope.

Staff Wellbeing and Flourishing

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, we believe that when staff feel valued, supported, and empowered, they are best placed to nurture and inspire our children. Our Christian vision extends to every member of our school community, including our dedicated team of educators and support staff.

Prioritising Workload and Wellbeing

We recognise that teacher workload is one of the most significant factors affecting wellbeing. That’s why we have taken deliberate, meaningful steps to reduce unnecessary pressure and create a sustainable working environment. These include:

• No written marking in any subject—feedback is given verbally and through live marking, allowing teachers to focus on impactful teaching rather than paperwork.
• No end-of-year reports—replaced by half-termly report cards that take minutes to complete. Staff are given dedicated time during the school day to complete these.
• Parent communication streamlined—our traditional late-night parents’ evenings have been replaced with afternoon sessions starting at 1:30pm, ensuring staff can engage meaningfully with families without compromising their own wellbeing.
• Curriculum workbooks for foundation subjects (History, Geography, Latin, Science, Oracy, and RE) are designed to significantly reduce planning and resourcing time, while maintaining high-quality learning experiences.

These practices are not just about efficiency—they are rooted in our Christian commitment to justice, compassion, and care for one another.

Celebrating and Supporting Our Staff

We believe in recognising the contributions and milestones of our team. Whether it’s a birthday, a professional achievement, or a personal celebration, we take time to honour and uplift one another.

We also provide:

• Opportunities for professional development, ensuring staff continue to grow in their roles and feel confident in their practice.
• Spiritual development opportunities, including collective worship, retreats, and reflective spaces, allowing staff to nurture their own faith and wellbeing.
• A culture of mutual trust, collaboration, and encouragement, where every voice is heard and every contribution is valued.

A Culture of Continuous Professional Growth

At St. Michael’s, we believe that investing in our staff is one of the most powerful ways to improve outcomes for our children. That’s why professional development is a cornerstone of our school culture. In addition to their statutory PPA time, all teaching staff receive dedicated weekly time out of class to focus on their own professional learning. This time is used for engaging with research, refining practice, and reflecting on pedagogy. Staff are encouraged to visit other schools to observe best practice and bring fresh ideas back to our community. We are proud that eight members of staff have completed NPQ qualifications in the past two years, demonstrating our commitment to leadership development at all levels. In addition, staff benefit from peer coaching, where experienced colleagues offer tailored support and challenge to help each other grow. This culture of collaboration and learning reflects our Christian vision of service, aspiration, and excellence—for the benefit of every child in our care.

At St. Michael’s, staff wellbeing is not an afterthought—it is a reflection of our belief that every person is created in the image of God and deserves to flourish. We are committed to building a school where adults and children alike can thrive, together.

Living Our Vision Every Day

Collective Worship That Inspires Action

Our daily collective worship is the spiritual heartbeat of our school. Rooted in biblical narratives such as the woman who touched Jesus’ garment and Zacchaeus the tax collector, worship at St. Michael’s is inclusive, invitational, and inspiring. It invites pupils and staff to reflect deeply, respond with compassion, and act with courage. Through prayer, storytelling, music, and reflection, we explore themes of justice, forgiveness, and service—encouraging children to become courageous advocates and agents of change in their communities.

Curriculum Design That Nurtures the Whole Child

Our curriculum is intentionally shaped by our Christian values of Community, Aspiration, Learning, and Love. One of our key drivers is Cultural Heritage, which ensures that pupils see their identities reflected in their learning. We celebrate Black British and South Asian British history, explore diverse faiths through a rigorous RE curriculum, and provide opportunities for spiritual reflection across all subjects. Our use of the Windows, Mirrors, and Doors model helps children look out at the world with awe, reflect inwardly on their values, and step forward to make a difference.

We also prioritise inclusion through Quality First Teaching, a graduated approach, and targeted support such as The Nest, our therapeutic provision for pupils with additional needs. These practices are grounded in our belief that every child is made in the image of God and deserves to flourish.

Community Partnerships That Extend Our Care

Our commitment to service extends beyond the school gates. Through our Community Hub, we offer English classes for EAL parents, support for families in need, and outreach programmes that build bridges between school and home. Our Family Support Worker, Community Hub Manager, and Learning Mentor work closely with families to ensure that every child is supported holistically.

We are proud to be a School of Refuge and a UN Rights Respecting School, standing in solidarity with those who are vulnerable and advocating for dignity, equity, and peace. These partnerships reflect our Christian calling to love our neighbour and seek the common good.

A Bespoke PSHE Curriculum for a Changing World

Our PSHE curriculum is bespoke and contextually responsive, designed to meet the specific needs of our pupils growing up in Handsworth in 2025. We recognise that our children face unique challenges, and we are committed to equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and emotional literacy they need to navigate life safely and confidently.

Key areas of focus include:

• Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing: Pupils learn how to recognise and manage their emotions, build resilience, and seek help when needed.
• Healthy Relationships: We teach children how to form respectful, safe, and supportive relationships, both online and offline.
• Misogyny and Gender Respect: In response to rising concerns nationally and locally, we address harmful gender stereotypes and promote equality, respect, and dignity for all.
• Inclusion and Identity: Our curriculum celebrates diversity and helps pupils understand and respect differences in race, religion, gender, and ability.

These themes are explored through age-appropriate, engaging lessons that encourage open dialogue, critical thinking, and empathy. Our approach is underpinned by our Christian belief that every person is made in the image of God and deserves to be treated with love and respect.

Below – a sample of our bespoke PSHE curriculum workbooks