Culture, Character and Enrichment at Disraeli

At Disraeli, we believe that character education is not a separate subject — it is the foundation of everything we do at our school. Every experience, from playtime to leadership, from enrichment clubs to working with our local community, helps our children grow into confident, kind, and resilient individuals.

All good stories need a well designed and thought-out, exciting and thought-provoking plot!

Our approach is built around the acronym PLOT, which stands for:

• Play – learning through joy, creativity, and teamwork

• Leadership – developing confidence, voice, and responsibility

• Opportunities – offering rich experiences that broaden horizons

• Trips – connecting learning to the wider world

We prioritise learning about and practising interoception as part of "what we do", and offer as many clubs as we can, helping pupils develop wellbeing and self‑awareness as part of our well designed and structured whole‑child approach.

Our Ethos and Culture

Disraeli’s ethos is rooted in the values represented by Fred’s Friends — Friendship, Respect, Equality, Determination, Love, Excellence, Responsibility, and Trust. These values are visible in every classroom, playground, and trip. They shape how we treat one another and how we approach learning, ensuring that our culture reflects the DfE’s first principle: character through ethos and environment.

Play

We are working hard to develop all outside areas to enable children to PLAY! With the increase of screens and sedentary activities, we want children to have the chance to move and learn as they play - to access their right to play and to develop their resilience, problem solving skills, team work and imagination. We hope to start work with OPAL to ensure our exciting ideas can become reality -and something that is sustainable for children of all ages across the school. 

Leadership 

Our House Captains and School Council model integrity and teamwork, while staff demonstrate the same values in their daily practice. Children learn that leadership means service — speaking up, supporting others, and making a positive difference. House Captains help new parents to gain an insight in to school life and Attendance champions encourage and celebrate our Heroes - children who are Here, Every day and On Time. Our Mini Police work in the local community - making it a safer place to be and learning about careers. Children tend to the garden patch outside of our school site and the choir sing at many local venues - especially at Christmas time! These are just a few of the ways in which children take on leadership roles.

We listen to our pupils. Through assemblies, pupil surveys, and creative projects, children share their ideas and help shape school life. This sense of agency builds confidence and teaches responsibility — key elements of character education. Our active School Council, Junior Sports Leaders and Eco Councillors make a difference to school life and ensure the children's voices are heard. 

Opportunities

Beyond the classroom, pupils take part in a wide range of clubs — from sports and arts to eco and debate groups. We also teach interoception, helping children recognise and regulate their emotions, supporting empathy and wellbeing and understanding how their brain works. These wider opportunities ensure every child finds their place to shine. They take part in events such as a solemn Remembrance Service, whole school voting; family Christmas Dinner and whole school family picnics. They meet athletes and Olympians; dress up as Book Characters, compete in sports activities and learn about future careers. They meet local people from the community who can teach them about their past and meet local councillors and politicians who can teach them about their future. Twice a term, the children have a MESSC day - a whole day reflecting on the parts of us that make us who we are - our Moral, Emotional, Social, Spiritual and Cultural development. Some of the themes are as follows:

• Anti-bullying 
• Remembrance Day
• Keeping Ourselves Safe
• Our Brains
• Democracy
• Careers and aspirations
• Loss and Grief
• What do I believe in?

Wider Community and Partnerships

Character grows through connection. Our pupils regularly engage with the local community — singing to elderly residents, supporting charities, and welcoming families to workshops and events. These partnerships teach empathy, gratitude, and civic responsibility, fulfilling the framework’s sixth area: community and service.

Trips

Our curriculum is designed to build character as well as knowledge. Each year group experiences trips and projects that nurture curiosity, resilience, and teamwork and are linked to the classroom curriculum. Nursery’s zoo visit, Year 1's Toot Bus trip, Year 2's beach trip, Year 3's Stone Age experience, Year 4's Ancient Egypt day, Year 5's Sky Studios tour and Year 6’s WW2 outdoor activity residential or day trip are just some of the trips and visits the children experience as they move through the school. These experiences bring learning to life and help pupils practise virtues such as courage, perseverance, and compassion.

Disraeli’s approach to Culture, Character and Enrichment ensures that every child experiences:

• A nurturing ethos built on shared values

• A curriculum rich in challenge and discovery

• Opportunities to lead, serve, and grow

• A strong sense of belonging within school and community

Together, these experiences prepare our pupils not just for academic success, but for life.