Creating Cultural Capital
Every child and family who joins The New Forest C. of E. Primary School, will have their own knowledge and experiences that will link to their culture and wider family. This might include: languages, beliefs, traditions, heritage, interests, travel and work. Research shows that when children and families’ cultures are valued, both the child’s experience of learning and progress can benefit. From drawing on the children’s own experiences and immersing them in to what can be offered by the immediate and wider environment, children will build the skills required to succeed in the world whatever their starting point.
Cultural capital is the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that a child can draw upon to be successful in society, their career and the world of work. Cultural capital gives power. It helps children achieve goals, become successful and rise up the social ladder without necessarily having wealth or financial capital. As a school we can build on each child’s experiences and provide new opportunities, motivating children to aspire and achieve.
At The New Forest C of E. Primary School, we value a blend of a linked learning and discrete teaching to enable pupils to build on their current understanding and make valuable connections across their learning. Gradually widening children’s experiences as they progress through school is an important step in providing rich and engaging learning across the curriculum. We plan carefully for children to have progressively richer experiences in nursery and beyond. These include trips to the local forest, visits to places of worship, museums and sporting events.
Examples of building experiences and knowledge by immersing children in the world around them.