Personal Development is at the heart of our school learning journey.  We ensure that we encourage and embed a range of knowledge, skills and experiences that allow our children to be life-long learners.

We support our children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, personal development develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. It prepares our children to manage many of the challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up in such rapidly changing and challenging times. It also helps them to connect and apply the knowledge and understanding they learn in all subjects to practical, real-life situations while helping them to feel safe and secure enough to fulfill their academic potential.

Our whole school approach  promotes effective relationships between all members of the school community. The promotion of pupils’ personal and social development underpins other learning. It assists our children with building their personal identities, confidence and self-esteem and understand what influences their decisions. Developing self-understanding, empathy and the ability to work with others helps our pupils to enjoy healthy and productive relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Although personal development in embedded throughout the curriculum, it is also evident through:-

• Pupil Leadership
• Our Core Enrichment Entitlement
• Mental Wellbeing
• British Values

Pupil Leadership

At St Andrew's, our pupil leaders are an important, friendly and motivated group of children who consistently strive to meet their full potential, whilst supporting the whole school community.

They work together to promote diversity, celebrate differences and improve the school environment.

Our Pupil Leadership Team

Roles and Responsibilities

• Act as ambassadors for the school both when in school and when out in the community

• Represent pupil voice

• Attend pupil leadership meetings

• Work alongside the senior leadership team, members of St Andrew's church, our local community, and other LDST schools, to help shape our school and enhance our learning journey

• They help the adults in our school community to make decisions on behalf of the pupils.

• Meet regularly and feedback to teachers, children and other members of our school community

• Support teachers with the organisation of whole school events.

At St Andrew's Primary School we are committed to developing pupils’ skills as leaders across the school in order to develop their personal and social development. The aim is that as many pupils as possible are given the opportunity to lead, regardless of their academic ability. We want all children to have an opportunity to say how their school is lead and fully embrace the chance to develop areas of school life.

Our approach to pupil leadership involves many pupils and allows them to develop their skills and confidence helping to run the school.

Examples of Pupil Leaders at our school, include:-

• Head boy/girl, deputy head boy/girl
• WOW group - Worship Leaders
• Sports Captains
• Play time Pal Leaders
• Mental Wellbeing Champions
• School Council Representatives

Evidence shows that increased participation in extra-curricular activities is associated with higher academic outcomes, at St Andrew's every child has access to sport, the arts and more.  Before school, during school and after school, opportunities, are carefully mapped out to ensure that there are lots of exciting opportunities for all!
A new set of enrichment benchmarks ensures every child has access to activities across five categories of enrichment. 

1. Civic engagement
Activities that help pupils participate in society and their communities, such as:
* Volunteering
* School councils and pupil voice
* Democratic participation
* Community and social action projects

2. Arts and culture
Opportunities that develop creativity, expression and cultural understanding, including:
* Performing arts (music, drama, dance)
* Visual arts and creative activities
* Visits to museums, galleries and cultural venues
* Engagement with cultural organisations

3. Nature, outdoors and adventure
Experiences that connect pupils to the natural world and develop independence and resilience, for example:
* Time learning outdoors
* Climate and environmental education
* Outdoor learning experiences
* Residential trips and adventure activities

4. Sport and physical activities
A wide range of physical and sporting opportunities, including:
* Individual or team sports
* General fitness and physical activity
* Participation in sports clubs
* Attending live sporting events

5. Developing wider life skills
Activities that build practical, social and transferable skills needed for adult life, such as:
•  Cooking and food preparation
•  Debating and public speaking
•  Managing money and financial education
•  Digital skills, including coding

During the school day

Enrichment can and often does take place:

•Within curriculum time (e.g. themed days, workshops, visiting speakers)

•as collapsed-curriculum days or enrichment weeks

•through timetabled sessions such as PSHE, form time or wider curriculum slots

•Integrated into subjects (e.g. STEM challenges, debates, performances)

This approach is particularly important for equity, as it ensures all pupils can access enrichment, not just those able to stay after school.

Outside normal school hours

Enrichment can also happen:

•After school clubs

•Lunchtime or breakfast activities

•Before/after-school programmes

•Holiday or weekend opportunities

These are valuable but should not be the only way pupils access enrichment, as attendance can be affected by transport, caring responsibilities or cost.

See PowerPoint at the foot of this page for a range of enrichment opportunities that we currently offer!

 

More information about what is offered term by term, will be shared regularly.

 

 

Mental Wellbeing 

At St Andrew's Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We understand that everyone experiences life challenges which can make us vulnerable and at times, we may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. 

'It's ok to not be ok!'

At our school we:

• Help children to understand their emotions and feelings better                             
• Help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• Help children socially to form and maintain relationships
• Promote self esteem and ensure children know that they count
• Encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
• Help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
• Support through our vision and values

Our Deputy Head Teacher/SENCO Mrs Dwan, is our Senior Mental Health Lead and she works together with members of out teaching and non teaching staff, parents/carers, governors, MAT, and our Y5 Mental Wellbeing Champions, to support the mental wellbeing of our whole school community.  Mrs Dwan has taken part in training with ROAR and our young leaders have taken part in training with One Goal.

British Values

At St Andrew's Church of England Primary School, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum.

A key part of our plan for education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

• The Rule of Law

• Democracy

• Individual Liberty

• Mutual Respect

• Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs

To do this our children will develop;

• An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process

• An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law

• An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour

• An understanding of the importance or identifying and combating discrimination

The mission statement and aims of the school clearly reflect these values, and the whole school strives to uphold them.