Personal Development Overview

Intent

The intent of Personal Development at Littleham Church of England Primary School, is to foster the holistic development of students, equipping them with essential skills and qualities that go beyond academic achievement. We recognise that students’ personal, social, and emotional well-being is integral to their overall educational experience and future success. Our core aim is to provide a curriculum that encourages students to be socially responsible, resilient, culturally aware, and equipped to make informed choices.

Aims

The Personal Development provision at our school aims to:

·         Promote students’ self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and well-being.

·         Develop students’ understanding and respect for diversity, equality, and inclusion.

·         Cultivate social skills, teamwork abilities, and leadership qualities among students.

·         Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy living and positive relationships.

·         Enable students to make informed, responsible decisions regarding their future education, training, and careers.

·         Encourage students to become active citizens who contribute positively to their local and global communities.

Implementation

The implementation of Personal Development at Littleham Church of England Primary School involves the integration of a well-structured and comprehensive program across the school’s curriculum, pastoral support, and wider provision.

Curriculum Integration

·         PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic) and RSE: (relationships and Sex Education) is taught through explicitly planned PSHE and RSE lessons. They are age-appropriate, and tailored to students’ needs, Through our PHSE and RSE curriculum, the children learn about: Physical, emotional and mental health; Healthy lifestyles; Hygiene; Nutrition and food; Aspirations; Changing and growing; Emotions; Protected Characteristics; Keeping Safe; First Aid; Similarities and differences; Online safety; Healthy relationships; Discrimination; Communication; Collaboration; Bullying; Fairness; Family and friends; Rules and responsibilities; Communities; Money and finance; Enterprise and Diversity. We follow the ‘Jigsaw’ programme, where lessons are thoughtfully sequenced, progressive, and delivered by staff. (see Jigsaw progression documents) 

·         SMSC: (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) Our school vision and ethos and core Christian values of ‘Aspiration’, Belonging’ and ‘Compassion’ are at the heart of all that we do. These are underpinned by the ‘Parable of the Mustard Seed’ (aspiration) ‘The Lost Sheep’ (belonging) and ‘The Good Samaritan’ (compassion).  

·         Enrichment Opportunities: Personal Development is enhanced through extracurricular activities, Collective Worships, enrichment days, forest school and interventions that focus on promoting teamwork, leadership, resilience, and character development. 

·         Pastoral Support: Our pastoral team offers care and guidance to students to ensure their well-being, both emotionally and socially, alongside their academic progress. It focuses on creating a safe, supportive environment where students feel valued, understood, and able to reach their full potential. For those children that are struggling, we use the Boxall Profile assessment tool to assess specific areas of need and then put in bespoke intervention to support them.

Our pastoral team is supported by the HeadsUp charity that give 1:1 support to children, train mental health ambassadors and lead Forest School sessions aimed specifically at supporting children that are struggling emotionally in school. They are also supported by LED, who work with groups of children on understanding the link between physical activity and good mental health. As well as calming activities like yoga.

Through holistic opportunities within our RE curriculum and collective worship schedule, children will develop their: Spiritual understanding by:

• Being reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective of life
• Obtain a knowledge, and respect, of different people's faiths, feelings and values
• Enjoy learning about themselves and others
• Use imagination and creativity in their learning
• Be reflective on their experiences

Moral understanding by:

• Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and to readily apply this understanding in their own lives, and to recognise legal boundaries and, in doing so, respect the civil and criminal law of England
• Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
• Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and ability to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues

Social understanding by:

• Use of a range of social skills in different contexts - for example, working and socialising with other pupils of different ages and backgrounds
• Willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
• Acceptance of and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

Cultural understanding by:

• Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
• Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures in the school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in modern Britain
• Ability to recognise, and value, the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities
• Knowledge of Britain's democratic parliamentary system and its central role in shaping our history and values, and in continuing to develop Britain
• Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, musical, sporting and cultural opportunities
• Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities

Impact  

Through consistent and high-quality teaching of SMSC our children will:  

·         Be thoughtful and children that grown into considerate moral adults that are self-reliant and resilient, leading healthy and happy lives. 

·         Be self-motivated, independent and resilient by developing inquiry based skills that allow them to make mistakes and learn from them.

·         Through deeper learning a reflection of others and different lives we know that our children will grow to seize opportunities beyond their perceived horizons. 

·         Littleham C of E children will feel that their views are valued. 

·         Be confident to reflect and challenge previously held views. 

·         Have high level of self-esteem and self-confidence. 

·         Distinguish right from wrong, accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative 

·         Understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.

·         Enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England.

·         Respect for other people and different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures.