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The Personal Development Curriculum

The aim of the Personal Development Curriculum is stated explicitly in our Christian vision statement:

Personal Development is delivered through both the explicit and the hidden curriculum:

• Within the explicit curriculum Personal Development is delivered through:
  • Personal, Social, Health and Economic and Sex and Relationship Education
  • British Values and Citizenship education
  • Careers Education
  • Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Education
     
• Personal Development is delivered in the hidden curriculum through:
  • Assemblies and collective worship
  • Clubs, societies and sports teams
  • Leadership responsibility as prefects, stewards, members of the school council, subject ambassadors, careers champions, eco school council etc.
  • Charitable giving and fundraising activities

The Personal Development Curriculum provides our students with the knowledge and skills to embrace the exciting opportunities this modern world brings, and to deal effectively with the challenges and risks they may encounter by making reasoned and positive decisions, in potentially difficult circumstances, which they may face in their lives.

We want our students to understand explicitly how to keep themselves (and others) safe and healthy (online and offline), to be accepting of equality and diversity and to show empathy and kindness to everyone they meet. The Personal Development Curriculum encourages students to have curious minds, a desire to learn more and the knowledge that they can and should make a positive difference in their community. We want them to embrace and accept different viewpoints, on different social issues and be able to articulate their own opinions.

All teachers at Balshaw’s are teachers of Personal Development as learning in every area of the curriculum equips  students for life beyond Balshaw’s as successful, resilient, responsible and respectful citizens. Our aims are underpinned by a culture of high aspirations and expectations for all students regardless of background. Through developing positive relationships, we work towards every individual having a strong belief in their own abilities so that they work hard, build confidence and achieve their very best.

 

Safeguarding within the Personal Development Curriculum

Our Personal Development curriculum also plays in a key role in the safeguarding of our students through the key safeguarding messages and knowledge that staff help them to understand. We adopt a preventative approach and can signpost them to people/organisations that can offer further support, advice and guidance. Our curriculum is also flexible and responsive to dealing efficiently with school, local and wider issues as they arise – providing a safe and supportive environment to discuss complex, sensitive and current topics.

At Balshaw’s every child is valued and respected and we are committed to the inclusion, progress and independence of all of our students. We ensure our curriculum is relevant to the lives of all our young people and actively promote acceptance and celebration of diversity, and equality for all. We work hard to support all of our students to make progress in their learning, their emotional, spiritual and social development and their independence.

 

• Personal Development is at the heart of every community and is found in many different forms throughout the school. It aims to enable students to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society at all levels.
• Students are taught how to develop into confident individuals who can live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
• It aims to enable students to be successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve..
• It is part of lifelong learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health.
• Personal Development is taught primarily within PSHE, but there are explicit elements within Science, RS and PE.
• It aims to give children and young people essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitive relationships and the skills to stay safe both on and offline.
• It enables students to explore their own and others’ attitudes and values and builds their self-esteem and confidence to view their own sexuality positively.
• Relationship and sex education within PSHE and RE is not about the promotion of sexual activity. The objective of RSE is life-long learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. It should help students to learn to respect themselves and others by acquiring accurate information, developing skills and forming positive beliefs, values and attitudes.
• Personal Development is about the understanding of the importance of marriage for family life, stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care. It is also about the teaching of sex, sexuality and sexual health and to enable students to take responsibility for their sexual health and well-being.
• Promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of all students
• Prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life
• Encourage students to value themselves and others
• Allow students to acknowledge and appreciate difference and diversity
• Teach students how to make informed choices
• Prepare students to be positive and active members of a democratic society
• Teach students to understand what constitutes a safe and healthy lifestyle
• Provide a framework in which sensitive discussions can take place
• Promote safety in forming and maintaining relationships,
• Provide students with a toolkit for understanding and managing their emotions
• Provide students with the opportunities to consider issues which may affect their own lives and/or
• Help students to identify the characteristics of healthy relationships, how relationships may affect mental and physical health; and how to stay safe online.
• Prepare students for puberty, and give them an understanding of sexual development and the importance of health and hygiene
• Help students develop feelings of self-respect, confidence and empathy
• Create a positive culture around issues of sexuality and relationships
• Teach students the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies

If parents/carers have any queries or concerns regarding any of this content please do not hesitate to contact your child's form tutor or our PSHE subject lead Miss Warburton.