Rationale:
At Carcroft school culture is planned for, developed, and sustained through practices that bring the community together, promote shared understandings, and encourage all community members to become crew, not passengers. Relationships with our students are at the heart of everything we do. One structure for developing this relationship – and supporting students socially, emotionally, and academically – is crew.
Crew provides each student with a one-to-one relationship with an adult advisor (crew leader) at the school, as well as a consistent and ongoing small-scale peer community. Crew leaders monitor and support student progress, serve as the student’s advocate in difficult academic and social situations, and act as the primary contact point between parents and the school. Crew meetings are frequently used for team building exercises and for group discussions on topical issues. These exercises and discussions help establish crew identity and a positive school culture.
We believe that if we get crew right, we get everything right!
Crew is underpinned by our habits of working and learning. If these conditions are right then children will become the best versions of themselves. See a breakdown of our HoWLs here:
Crew aims to develop and sustain community practices, all pupils have an opportunity to set weekly targets, analyse academic progress and take part in weekly community meetings. The hall is a crucial space for community meetings in each phase, these take place weekly, parents and visitors are invited into school to celebrate successes and attend for their child’s ‘Learning Legend’.
Crews at Carcroft follow a daily structure; this ensures that pupils start and end the day with circling up.
The daily structure:
Our Morning Routine: Building Safety, Connection and Readiness to Learn
Our structured morning routine (8:40–9:00) is designed to meet every pupils needs through the N4S framework – ensuring pupils are Safe, Able to Engage, Attending School, Working Hard, Getting Smart, Being Kind and Achieving Academically.
The first part of the morning provides a calm, predictable start where pupils settle, complete a morning task, and connect with staff. This helps pupils feel secure and prepares them emotionally and mentally for learning.
The second part, our Crew Check-in, is a deliberate space for belonging and reflection. Using the language of Crew, we explicitly talk about “crewing up” – working together, supporting one another, and taking shared responsibility for how we start our day. Through daily check-ins, guided discussions and shared HoWLs, pupils practise naming and regulating their emotions, listen to others, and reflect on how they can contribute to the Crew.
Afternoon Crew sessions Afternoon Crew sessions provide structured time to deliver the Crew curriculum in full. Through RSE, Challenge Crew, Academic Crew, and other developmental strands, students build character, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills they need to thrive both academically and personally. It provides essential time for pupils to reflect and debrief before the end of the day. Just as morning Crew establishes emotional safety and readiness to learn, afternoon Crew closes the day with reflection and connection, helping children process their day, celebrate successes and prepare for a positive transition home.
At our school, we believe every child deserves a narrative for success – a story of growth, achievement, and belonging. But for this to happen, they must first feel safe. That’s why we prioritise each child’s Narrative for Success as the foundation of their school experience.
We build this sense of safety through Crew – a daily check-in where children are known, valued, and supported by a trusted adult and their peers. Crew is a space where students can express how they’re feeling, discuss any barriers to learning, and develop important life skills such as compassion, resilience, and confidence.
When children feel safe, they are ready to learn, take positive risks, and engage fully in school life. Crew Leaders play a key role in this journey, working closely with families and staff to ensure no child is left behind.
Safety isn’t just about wellbeing – it’s the starting point for success. And at our school, that’s where every child’s story begins.
