Core Values
Our curriculum is underpinned by our core values of being:
Bold… committed to academic excellence and a ‘powerful knowledge’ in all topics in the PSHE and RSE curriculum pupils who question and develop skills in analysing and expressing opinions
Ambitious…pupils who are guided to articulate their pathways and make informed decision on their next steps at each key stage
Collaborative…learning involves working together and Personal Development learning advocates mutual respect, good attitudes and listening and acting on others’ opinions and feedback
Kind…. Respecting each other and being able to peer and self-evaluate and celebrate success
Intent
What is the King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy aiming to achieve through Personal Development curriculum? What aspirations have we for our pupils?
The Personal Development curriculum is broad and balanced it aims to equip pupils with essential skills for life, where children are enabled to become successful learners, develop their full potential, it will promote an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all pupils, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation to achieve the highest educational standards they can. We have a passionate commitment to learning and recognition of the uniqueness of individual learners. The curriculum intends to develop the whole child through carefully planned discrete lessons, assemblies, form time sessions and enrichment. To promote character and the personal, social, physical, spiritual, moral, and cultural development of our pupils and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Pupils are encouraged to live healthy, safe, productive, capable, responsible and balanced lives. Pupils are encouraged to shine by being supported in making effective decisions, positive learning, career choices and in achieving economic wellbeing. Pupils are provided with opportunities to reflect on, clarify their own values and attitudes, and explore the complex and conflicting range of values and attitudes encountered now and in the future. Pupils will also develops inter and intra personal skills allowing them to develop team work and personal skills ensuring they shine.
The Personal Development Curriculum is fully in line with the learning outcomes and core themes provided by the PSHE Association Programme of study which is recommended and referred to by the DfE in all key documentation relating to PSHE Provision in Schools.
As part of the King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy Personal Development curriculum pupils will:
- Be given opportunities to develop to be responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults
- Develop and deepen their understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance
- Develop skills so that all pupils can thrive together, understand that difference is a positive, not a negative, and that individual characteristics make people unique
- Develop pupils’ character, which we define as a set of positive personal traits, dispositions and virtues that informs their motivation and guides their conduct so that they reflect wisely, learn eagerly, developing pupils’ confidence, resilience and knowledge so that they can keep themselves mentally healthy. This is supported through King Edward VI Balaam Wood Academy attitudes to learning where routines develop habits of learning. In addition, through leadership opportunities across school and the achievement of House points.
- Recognise online and offline risks to their well-being – for example, risks from criminal and sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, substance misuse, gang activity, sexual harassment, sexual violence, peer on peer abuse, radicalisation and extremism – and making them aware of how to keep themselves safe and the support available to them
- To recognise the dangers of inappropriate use of mobile technology and social media developing pupils’ understanding of how to keep physically healthy, eat healthily and maintain an active lifestyle, including giving ample opportunities to be active during the school day and through extra-curricular activities
- To develop age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships through appropriate relationship and sex education
- To understand what they need to do to reach and succeed in the careers to which they aspire, supporting readiness for the next phase of education, training or employment so that they are equipped to make the transition successfully
- Be given opportunities to work independently, collaboratively, creatively, reflectively developing debating and social and communication skills
- Be taught using a range of teaching strategies and to tailor to the needs of different groups of pupils
- Make cross-curricular and real-life links to topics when possible and appropriate
- A range of enrichment opportunities for personal development, cultural capital, raise aspirations and enable meaningful encounters with employers and further education providers
- Will develop pupils’ literacy development through regular reading opportunities and highlighting of key words and new vocabulary as well as speaking and listening opportunities through debate.
