Personal Development
School is so much more than just going to lessons; this is especially true at Pleckgate High School. As well as our stimulating and challenging academic curriculum, rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted, we offer an extensive range of activities for pupils to broaden their skills and talents and to discover new interests and hobbies.
We consistently promote the extensive PD of our pupils and the school culture to develop well-rounded individuals who are personable, have integrity and can give above and beyond what is expected. Whatever their background, they understand what it is to work hard, be accountable, communicate well and excel in areas where they find personal fulfilment.
Our pupils are encouraged to cultivate creativity both within and outside of the classroom in order to develop the ingenuity to flourish within their chosen form of expression, be it musical, dramatic, artistic, sporting, technological or literary. We provide rich experiences in a coherently planned way, both in the curriculum and through extra-curricular activities, and they considerably strengthen our school’s offer
This stems from the belief that a successful pupil not only achieves their full academic potential but also takes an active role in the wider aspects of school life.
Aims of PD at Pleckgate
Pupils receive a programme that gives them the knowledge they make decisions, strengthen them personally and to contribute to building their character
Our PD curriculum develops young people so that they are:
- Responsible, respectful and active citizens who are able to play their part and become actively involved in public life as adults
- Understanding of the fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance
- Have a set of positive personal traits, dispositions and virtues that informs their motivation and guides their conduct so that they reflect wisely, learn eagerly, behave with integrity and cooperate consistently well with others
- Strengthens pupils’ confidence, resilience and knowledge so that they can keep themselves mentally healthy
- Understanding of how to keep physically healthy, eat healthily and maintain an active lifestyle, including giving ample opportunities for pupils to be active during the school day and through extra-curricular activities
- Taught age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships through appropriate relationships and sex education
Personal Development is well structured and organised and meets the needs of all of our young people. This is facilitated through British Values & Citizenship, SMSC, PSHE and Relationship and sex education, Careers (CEIAG), as well as the broad range of enrichment activities.
The Personal Development Curriculum at Pleckgate covers the following areas:
- Fundamental British Values and Citizenship education
- Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education
- Personal, Social, Health and Economic and Sex and Relationship Education
- Careers and Living in the Wider World education
Fundamental British Values and Citizenship
Within the Fundamental British Values aspects of the curriculum pupils are able to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England as well as accepting responsibility for their behaviour, showing initiative, and understanding how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely.
Through this we embrace the following 4 strands integral to Fundamental British Values:
- Democracy.
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Citizenship is delivered discreetly and across the curriculum as well as part of their pastoral activities programme. Pupils will cover issues such as rights and responsibilities, discrimination and how they can contribute positively as active, caring citizens both in school and within the communities in which they live. They are also encouraged to respect democracy and support participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in Britain. Part of this process is the election and participation in the pupil Council which meets half termly.
Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural
We recognise and firmly believe that the development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally plays a significant part not only in their ability to learn and achieve but in their ability to relate fully to, and have the ability to, access the world they live in. Spiritually, the school provides a faith group session which is available daily to all pupils.
We aim to provide an education that provides children with opportunities to explore and develop their own values, whilst recognising that those of others may differ. Beliefs, spiritual awareness, high standards of personal behaviour including a positive caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of their social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of other cultures are all critical skills and dispositions that we nurture, encourage and develop through this subject and the wider curriculum. The value and the ethos of Pleckgate, Aspire & Believe, Act and Succeed are central to our Personal Development education.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic and Sex and Relationship Education
The three main strands of this aspect are: Health and Wellbeing Relationships Living in the Wider World The Personal Development programme includes work to improve pupils’ health and emotional wellbeing. PSHE and SRE develop pupils’ skills to manage relationships and be economically active and intend to give pupils the skills necessary to keep them safe, including keeping them safe in an ever changing virtual world. The main strands of this area of the programme are to promote pupils’ health and wellbeing. This includes personal health, looking after their mental health and healthy living, including diet and drugs and alcohol abuse education. The PSHE and RSE aspects of this programme are arranged to ensure that age appropriate delivery is achieved to prepare pupils for each phase of their life and education. The SRE programme is delivered by a team of staff through a collaboration of the Personal Development Curriculum, the Religious Education Curriculum and the Science Curriculum. The RSE Policy is available on School Website
Careers and Living in the Wider World
One of the key principles of the Personal Development Curriculum is that it enables pupils to acquire learning that will allow them to make their own choices in the real world. At the forefront of the careers aspect of Personal Development is the implementation of the eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the need of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experience of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Our aim is to inspire confident learners who will thrive in a changing world. We want pupils to aim high in their expectations, to raise their aspirations, promote equality of opportunity, celebrate diversity, challenge stereotypes and prepare for their future careers. Personal Development education plays a critical role in preparing all young people for the next stage of their education or training and beyond. Expectations are high, including for our most vulnerable and those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Pupils are challenged appropriately and acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes for lifelong learning so that they become more adaptable and resilient, make decisions and transitions, be more enterprising and be able to present themselves well with applications and interviews. This will help every young person to realise their potential and enhance their employability. Personal Development Education equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes that they need to make informed decisions about their learning and work through a cohesive programme of careers education. They are supported in their journey with access to personalised information, advice and guidance from 6th Form colleges which will enable them to build up the confidence to take charge of their career development and effectively manage their own progression through learning and work. They also have opportunities to consider and prepare for a variety of employment options, for example, through work based learning, mock interviews and a range of Enrichment Day activities.
