At Shiphay Learning Academy, Personal Development is used to encompass all opportunities for SMSC; PSHE; RSHE; exploration of life within modern Britain and British Values; wider school opportunities; community involvement; assemblies; RE; and recognition of significant national and global events and dates. We aim to promote and develop the children’s personal development through a whole school ethos, class-based activities, exposure to new experiences and ideas, and personalised support for individual pupils. We understand that providing opportunities for children’s personal development is absolutely vital both academically and within their communities and wider society. We have a holistic approach to ensure we support all aspects of the children’s development. We ensure children develop a knowledge and understanding of themselves personally, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. 

Personal Development at Shiphay is primarily taught through the PSHE curriculum. This is further enhanced through embedding our school values, the work of our Pastoral Team and with the expertise of the Mental Health Support Team. We provide opportunities through whole school assemblies, visits and visitors, working alongside people within the community and outreach provisions. This ensures all pupils acquire and develop the skills to be healthy and respectful citizens within our diverse and multicultural Britain.  Our SMSC provision includes teaching, learning and development in: PSHE, RSHE, British Values, Modern Britain, British Events and other significant themed areas, such as our Personal Development Days.

PSHE

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education learning and development is fundamental to the children’s developmental journey, their understanding of the world around them and their recognition of their own self-worth as a citizen. The three pillars of the PSHE curriculum are: Life in the Wider World; Health and Wellbeing; and Relationships. We cover all aspects of the statutory and non-statutory guidance on the strands linked to PSHE to ensure all pupils are the most knowledgeable, confident and self-fulfilled individuals they can be. We aim for our children to know more, understand more and remember more about themselves and the world around them. 

We recognise that PSHE is a vital part of our curriculum and should be taught through sequences of weekly lessons, as well as providing opportunities to make cross-curricular links. The children will cover the three pillars throughout the year and the themes are built upon as pupils progress through the school.

RSHE

Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education learning and development is vital in ensuring the children: understand how to be a healthy individual (with regard to mental wellbeing and physical health); understand quality and fulfilling friendships, families and relationships; have an understanding of the positives of both the offline world and the online world we live in. We aim for all children to understand how to remain positive, safe and forward-thinking both now through their school journey and to set these foundations for their future lives. 

Our RSHE curriculum is interwoven into our science, computing and physical education sessions. To ensure we have a consistent approach to teach the core aspects of the Relationships Education curriculum, we follow the Christopher Winter Project for RSHE. 

As a school and Trust, we have devised 70 things we believe all children should, and will, experience whilst at our school. These are loosely based on The National Trust’s initiative of ’50 things to do before you’re 11¾’. These experiences enhance the curriculum we offer at school.

Have a look at the poster below to see what your child will experience at Shiphay: