Personal Development

To establish a school community where every individual:

• Has equality of opportunity to realise their potential
• Feels safe, valued and able to live authentically in this community; they feel they belong here and can flourish
• Takes collective responsibility for living out our shared values
• Has the knowledge, skills, characteristics and experience to be a positive contributing member of the school community and wider society

Our Personal Development Curriculum has been developed by using student voice, in conjunction with statutory and recommended guidance, including RSE, PSHE, SMSC, and British Values requirements.

In addition, several departments also have a vital input on the delivery of this curriculum, including Science, RE, Computing, PE and Food Technology.

Topics covered within the Personal Development curriculum cover three core themes:

• Health and wellbeing
• Relationships
• Living in the wider world

At the Academy, our students follow a carefully planned and sequenced curriculum under the following Personal Development Themes:

• Keeping Safe
• Online Life & Media
• Emotional & Mental Health
• Health & Fitness
• Relationships
• Sexual Health
• Future Choices & Money
• Values, Rights & Responsibilities
• Personal Skill Development

As part of our Personal Development programme, we provide several opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and to contribute to the school and wider community. We value student voice and this is integral to each of these roles. Our students can become ambassadors in one or more of the following areas: Subject Ambassadors, Wellbeing Ambassadors, DEI ambassadors, Tutor group ambassadors and Community Ambassadors. Please follow our Facebook page to see examples of some of the projects our students have recently been involved with.

In addition, in Year 13, ambassadors will have the opportunity to apply to be a representative on the Student Leadership Team. Our Student Leadership team all undertake a leadership development programme, led by one of our local business partnerships, ‘Newland Partners’. Sessions cover a variety of content including: The difference in managing and leading people; Developing self-awareness, emotional intelligence and resilience skills; How to coach people to succeed and lead change.

Student Leadership Team - Click to open

‘Thought for the Day’ provides a focus for personal development and reflection. It is an opportunity to reflect on fundamental questions of life, to celebrate things of worth and to reinforce the communal identity of our academy and its values of kindness, respect, resilience, aspiration and community.

A daily act of communal and individual contemplation recognises that there is a ‘spiritual’ aspect of life that students should have the freedom to explore. The ‘thoughts’ represent a variety of cultures, identities, beliefs, and worldviews. Students should have the opportunity to consider what they mean for themselves, the school and society as a whole.

A moment of communal silence each day allows students the space to consider how this might relate to their own life, values and lived experience. Students are made aware that there is no intention to instruct them what to think. Different individuals, as well as different age groups, will no doubt use this time differently, and this should be explicitly acknowledged. Some of our students will be ‘religious’, some will not, many will not quite know-all are invited to take part.

Each month is themed and Day 1 includes an introduction to that theme. In addition, in assembly students will develop their understanding of issues around it and how it is underpinned by BCA and British Values. Many of the themes and thoughts will relate to current events and issues. Some days, students may be invited to participate in exploring and responding to the ‘thought’, but other days, the ‘thought’ might simply be read out with a moment for personal reflection.

• Black History
• LGBT+
• Climate Change
• Animal Welfare
• Life Saving Science (Stem cells / vaccines etc)
• Cancer Protection
• Prevention of Infection
• Finance (Debt / Money Worries)
• Work Place Technology
• Financial Exploitation
• Influences on Food Choices
• Rights & Responsibilities as a Consumer
• Science and Health
• Physical Changes at Puberty
• Food Safety
• Gambling
• Environment - Impact of Fast Culture

Careers information can be found on our website at the following page: Careers Page

Extra Curricular Activities and Clubs

We encourage all students to participate in the extra-curricular programme we offer. Our clubs and activities are designed to be inclusive for all; the broad range on offer ensures that there is something for students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved with. We regularly review our offer to meet the ever-changing needs of our students.

The extra-curriculum clubs and activities for the current (and previous) academic term can be found by visiting the link below.

Extra-Curricular Clubs & Activities