Personal Development

'Building foundations for a love of life, a love of learning and a love of one another’

Our school vision leads the design and intent of our whole curriculum at Upton St Leonards C of E Primary School. Personal Development (PD) and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) education is at the heart of the learning journey in our school.

We prepare children to manage many of the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face, as they grow up in such rapidly changing and challenging times. PD and SMSC education 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 fulfil their potential. We nurture the ‘love of life’.

We plan, encourage, promote, adopt and embed a range of enriching experiences that will allow children to be life-long learners. We support children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. We nurture a ‘love of learning’.

As part of our whole school approach, PD and SMSC education develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. Our whole school approach promotes effective relationships between all members of the school community, and beyond.

PD and SMSC education contribute towards assisting children and young people to build 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. This happens within our vision of ‘love of one another’.

We want our children:

To be responsible, respectful and active citizens
To have a deepening awareness of fundamental British Values
To experience equal opportunities and to be included
To recognise that difference is positive, not negative, and that we are all unique
To understand the importance of diversity
To be confident, resilient and independent
To develop strength of character
To reflect wisely and learn eagerly
To share their ideas, discuss and debate in a considered way
To behave with integrity and cooperate with others
To recognise risk
To keep themselves mentally healthy
To eat healthily and maintain an active lifestyle
To have an age appropriate understanding of healthy relationships
To make good choices
To aspire to be the best they can be
To develop their talents
To be ready for the next part of their lives