At Castle we strive to provide a range of opportunities that enhance pupils' personal experience of school. Through this we aim to develop:

• character
• leadership
• enjoyment of a broad curriculum
• responsible, respectful citizens.

Our curriculum extends beyond the academic to include:

• A well sequenced, comprehensive Relationships, Sex and Health Education programme using the OneDecision scheme. Following the consultation, the policy is available on this website.
• Opportunities to contribute through numerous roles - these include:
  • School Council Members - school council meet regularly with Mr Taylor to discuss issues related to the school - all children get to participate in the democratic process of electing their school councillor; 
  • Head of House - this is new in 2023 and is part of our new House system - Year 6 pupils who wish to be considered present to their house mates why they would be an effective Head of House. Elections then take place to decide who will receive this honour based on their presentation on how they will support the school values within their house;
  • Digital Leaders - these are our computer experts who support other children and Mr Bailey (our Computing Lead) in managing computing in the school;
  • Pupil Librarians - our librarians support other children in choosing books and helping to run the library with Mrs Barron and Mrs Forsey - in 2023 we will be starting a lunchtime library club for junior children who would like to spend time reading in the library after their lunch. We plan for this to be run by our older school librarians;
  • Lunchtime Play Leaders - play leaders help organise the lunchtime play equipment and have been trained in leading numerous playground based games. This promotes positive lunchtimes for all. Pompey in the Community also visit during lunchtimes to help lead active team building games on the playground;
  • Sports Leaders - sports leaders help Mr Banner organise the wide range of sports we have in the school (we are one of only a handful of schools to have received the Platinum level sportsmark award - the highest level of recognition for sports provision available);
  • Curriculum subject ambassadors. So far we have mathematics, science and vocal ambassadors who get involved in supporting subject leads in seeing how well we are all doing in these subjects. We hope to expand this over the coming term. 
  • There is an expectation that all pupils will have a job/responsibility whilst at school - we value all the different monitor roles children can take on as developing a sense of responsibility is a fundamental part of our ethos.
• To develop interests and talent in different areas through attending clubs. Our clubs run at various times of the year and are often age specific. Some examples of clubs running this year are:
  • football,
  • netball,
  • sign language,
  • cross-country,
  • gardening,
  • choir,
  • nurture club (by invitation),
  • well-being Tuesday club - this is focused on mindfulness and promoting positive mental health,
  • science,
  • computing,
  • yoga,
  • cricket,
  • robot club (external provider),
  • Rock-steady music (external provider),
  • karate (external provider),
  • Rainbows (external provider),
  • dodgeball (external provider).
• Performing arts - we have a strong tradition in this area and children can join the choir, and perform in one of our successful school productions. The choir has also performed in numerous large performances alongside Portsmouth Grammar School, cluster school performances and the Portsmouth Choral Union.
• Residential visits - we value the opportunity to give children character building and memorable experiences in a residential setting. Our current visits are:
  • Year 3 - a single overnight stay either at an external provider or on the school site
  • Year 4 - two nights at Stubbington Study Centre
  • Year 5 - Three nights at Stone Farm including two days visiting the Eden Project.
  • Year 6 - a week on the Isle of Wight at an adventurous pursuits centre.

Please also refer to our PSHE curriculum for further information about how our curriculum provides personal and social development for our pupils. Please look at our 'No Outsiders: All different, All welcome' curriculum by following th following link: