Personal development is at the heart of our school as it promotes and embeds a range of skills that allow children to be life-long learners. It encourages our pupils to believe, achieve and succeed. It is our purposeful intent to create a place of belonging; where all our pupils feel they belong and can become their best possible self…knowing who they are following their individual chosen path and standing tall, being comfortable in their own skin. Whilst celebrating and embracing unique virtues and qualities, our intent is that our children are informed citizens with a respectful compassion for all.
We passionately believe that strong personal development is the most fundamental part of our curriculum as it supports the children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. We strive to offer an education to the children that enables them to develop the qualities and attributes needed to thrive. We prepare them to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up in such rapidly changing and challenging times.
At Newcomen Primary School the personal development of our children is part of a whole school approach which promotes effective relationships between all members of the wider school community. We believe strongly in helping our children 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.
At Newcomen Primary School we know that the personal development of pupils, spiritually, morally, socially and culturally (SMSC) plays a significant part in their ability to learn and achieve. We therefore aim to provide an education that provides pupils with opportunities to explore and develop their own values and beliefs and spiritual awareness. This results in high standards of personal behaviour, a positive, caring attitude towards other people, an understanding of social and cultural traditions and an appreciation of the diversity and richness of all cultures. (See Learning Area 2). This is achieved through our rich and varied curriculum where SMSC principles form the foundations.
We actively promote the fundamental British Values; those universal values, of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths, beliefs and cultures. We do this by providing opportunities through our PSHE and Relationships Education, Collective Worship, Story Time and the wider curriculum and our embedded school values to explore, stimulate discussion and reflect. By promoting respect of others, whatever personal circumstances, backgrounds or beliefs may be, we are preparing our pupils for a happy and fulfilling life in modern day society in which they play a positive role and become responsible citizens.
Showing respect, teamwork and a ‘can do’ attitude is all a part of our children’s personal development. This permeates through everything we teach, explore and value. It is not a subject that is taught in isolation as it entwines itself in everything we learn and do at school. We also have Sanctuary School status and are committed to supporting young people seeking sanctuary with our culture of welcome and inclusion and raising the awareness of the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers.
We actively teach topical issues relating to local, national and global issues. This year, as a whole school, we are focusing on: Equality, Refugees and Asylum Seekers and Sustainability. In addition, during our One World Our World focus, we shall be concentrating on the theme of belonging embracing ‘Together as One-Simul ut Unum’.
