Personal Development

At Whiston Willis Primary Academy, personal development is an integral part of school life. We aim to ensure that every child is safe, happy, included and valued, while developing the knowledge, skills and character needed to become confident, respectful and responsible citizens.

Personal development is embedded throughout our curriculum, relationships, school values and wider opportunities and supports pupils' academic, social and emotional development.

PSHE & RSHE

Our PSHE and RSHE curriculum, delivered through Jigsaw, provides a key foundation for personal development. Pupils progressively learn about relationships, health and wellbeing, keeping safe, equality and difference, aspirations and growing and changing.

Learning is supported through purposeful discussion and oracy, enabling pupils to express their views, listen respectfully and consider different perspectives.

Class Charters and Personal Development

Each class has a Class Charter, linked to our Jigsaw and Rights Respecting approaches. These support pupils to understand the shared expectations, rights and responsibilities that help everyone to feel safe, respected and ready to learn.

Every classroom also has a dedicated Personal Development display, bringing together age-appropriate learning and information relating to PSHE & RSHE, children's rights, British Values, pupil voice, wellbeing and keeping safe. These are used as active resources to revisit learning and make connections across school life.

Rights, Values and Citizenship

As a Gold Rights Respecting School, the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are embedded within our ethos and practice. Pupils learn about their own rights, respect the rights of others and understand their responsibilities within their school and wider community.

We actively promote the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted across the curriculum and wider school life.

Pupil Voice and Leadership

We believe pupils should be listened to and have meaningful opportunities to contribute to school life. Through our Pupil Leadership Team, Rights Respecting work and wider leadership opportunities, children develop confidence, communication, teamwork and responsibility.

Our commitment to oracy supports pupils to articulate their ideas, listen to others, discuss respectfully and participate confidently in their learning and school community.

Equality, Relationships and Wellbeing

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, treated equally and difference is celebrated.

Pupils learn to develop positive relationships, understand and manage emotions, respect diversity and challenge stereotypes and discrimination. Provision is adapted where appropriate so that pupils with SEND and additional needs can participate fully in personal development opportunities.

Keeping Safe, Healthy and Independent

Safeguarding is embedded throughout our curriculum. Pupils learn how to recognise risks, make informed choices, maintain healthy relationships and know how and where to seek help.

Alongside curriculum learning, pupils participate in practical experiences including Bikeability, developing the skills and confidence to cycle safely and responsibly, and Crucial Crew, where pupils explore age-appropriate scenarios relating to personal safety, risk and responsible decision-making.

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

Personal development extends beyond the classroom through educational visits, visitor assemblies, clubs, sports, performances, competitions, community activities and pupil leadership..

These experiences provide opportunities for pupils to discover interests, develop talents, broaden their experiences and build confidence, resilience, independence and cultural awareness..

Through our curriculum and wider provision, we aim to prepare every pupil for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life, enabling them to contribute positively to their community and the wider world.