In Ofsted’s new framework, it states that leaders need to take on or construct a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give all learners the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Ofsted have defined cultural capital as, “...the essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.”

Cultural Capital at Firfield

At Firfield, this means the knowledge children need to be able to think for themselves, to understand the situation within which they live, to recognise systems within society, to ask questions and know how to find answers. Our knowledge rich curriculum - through our curriculum drivers - is built around developing our pupils cultural capital so that they are ready for the next stage of their education and for the ever-changing world.

We believe in the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that a pupil can draw upon and which demonstrates their cultural awareness, knowledge and competence; it is one of the key ingredients a pupil will draw upon to be successful in society, their career and the world of work. Cultural capital gives a pupil power. It helps them achieve goals, become successful, and rise up the social ladder without necessarily having wealth or financial capital. Cultural capital is having assets that give pupils the desire to aspire and achieve social mobility whatever their starting point.