Personal Development

At Sladewood Academy, we go beyond the expected so that pupils have access to a wide, rich set of experiences securing our Personal Development Programme equips children with the knowledge, resilience, and character needed to make informed decisions and thrive. These qualities are nurtured through a well-structured curriculum and enriched by wider school experiences including opportunities for pupils to develop their interests/ talents including our values of SMSC as well as developing and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.

Our pupils develop a strong sense of self, contribute positively to society, and respect diverse perspectives. As they move on to secondary education, they carry with them the core values of kindness, meaningful relationships, and a love for learning.

Through our PSHE curriculum we cultivate responsible citizens deepening pupils understanding of their moral and social responsibilities. Our bespoke curriculum fosters personal growth, confidence, and a willingness to embrace challenges. Through elements such as growth mindset, we empower learners to take risks, learn from mistakes, and reach their full potential.

PSHE long term plans and RSE POLICY

Click link to see our RSE Policy RSE-Policy.pdf

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Is considered throughout our work, listed below are some to the work we do to consider this:

Our Values; kindness, relationships and love of learning.
Stakeholder voice
Total communication
Trauma informed practice
Specialist intervention
Curriculum, teaching and learning opportunities
Community inclusion
Relational school work
Thrive
Interoception
Restorative practice

CITIZENSHIP

DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER

BRITISH VALUES

	Definition	Implementation – How we do it?
Democracy	Democracy is when a group of people have equal rights and the freedom to choose how they are treated, rather than when one person has all the power and makes all the decisions. It can also refer to the way in which we vote for the person or group we want to represent us.	Child/ student voice Providing choice- options- in chosen communication method Student council Pupil feedback forms Attendance coins Children Advocating for themselves Staff tuning in to pupil needs EHCP contributions Environments where it is safe to make a mistake. Special helper, jobs and buddies. Advocating sharing.
Rule of Law	Rule of Law means that all people and groups are ruled by the same laws which help to keep us all safe and happy.	School values Routines Boundaries School rules / class rules PSCO visits Restorative practice conversations Choices Recognition board and assemblies Social stories Monitoring jobs Right & wrong teaching
Individual Liberty	Individual liberty is when people have the freedom to choose their faith, beliefs, likes and dislikes which are outside Government control. Protection of your rights and the rights of others around you.	RE awareness days Special occasion assemblies Looking at similarities and differences Thrive Mindfulness Sensory breaks Choices Opal play choices Enrichment choices Total communication/ AAC provide children with a voice Uniform choices within the belonging. Wow wall- recognition RE stories & Celebrations Choosing time Interoception Child centred approach Emotionally available adults
Mutual Respect	Mutual respect is showing respect and tolerance towards people whose beliefs, traditions, ethnicity, culture and opinions may be different to our own, which is then shown back to us. Finding out about each other will help us to understand and to treat others in the way we would wish to be treated.	School rules and values- Kindness, Respect, safe, ready Sharing Recognising and celebrating differences PSHE & RSE Modelling from adults Listening Restorative practice Relational work Thrive Peer work Cooperative play Role play Inclusion Celebration assemblies Class recognition boards School council and pupil voice Pupil well being Thrive Interventions
Tolerance of Different Faiths and Religions	Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs is showing respect towards people who share different beliefs and traditions to our own.	RE curriculum- experience days of values and beliefs. Explore multi- cultural faiths of school. Inclusive school Assemblies- celebrations Trips & Visits Anti- bullying/ kindness week SEN experience week Charity days International days Morals and beliefs- child voice Diversity & families PSHE curriculum World awareness days

INCLUSION & EQUALITY: PROTECTED CHARACTERISTICS


Intent	Implementation	Impact
As a school, we ensure age equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimization, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across our school community.	We ensure all children are respected equally, with age-appropriate learning, well-planned transitions, and inclusive teaching free from stereotypes. Events like Craft-a-noons Lunch and school/ trust activities foster intergenerational connections, while our Rights Respecting Education and core values promote equality and mutual respect.	Children will develop self-awareness, a sense of belonging, and respect for others while experiencing non-discrimination and being challenged on biases. They will confidently express their needs, wants, and views. This impact will be evident in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and their engagement with learning on age-related inclusivity.
We ensure equality by preventing SEND-related discrimination, harassment, or victimisation, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering inclusive relationships across our school community.	Learning is personalised, accessible, and fully inclusive, with resources and environments that support all needs. EHCP requirements are met, diversity is respected, and intolerance is challenged. High expectations, a growth mindset, and a strengths-based approach are embedded, reflecting a wide range of abilities. Our ethos is guided by Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, and respect while experiencing non-discrimination and being challenged on biases. They will confidently express their needs and views. This impact will be seen in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and their engagement with SEND-related learning and awareness.
We ensure gender equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering inclusive relationships across our school community.	Learning is gender-neutral, with inclusive interactions, stereotype-free resources, and equal access to all subjects, sports, and interests. Uniform options are flexible, and gender-based discrimination is not tolerated. Our approach is guided by Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, and respect, while experiencing non-discrimination and being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views. This impact will be reflected in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and their engagement with gender-related learning and awareness.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on gender identity, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering inclusive relationships across the school community.	Pupils are treated with privacy, dignity, and respect for their gender identity. We foster understanding of diverse perspectives, use sensitive language, and encourage positive discussions while addressing negativity. Mental health and wellbeing are prioritized, with tailored PSHE, SRE, SEN support, and safeguarding tools in place. This approach aligns with Rights Respecting Education and our core values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, and respect, while experiencing non-discrimination and being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views. This impact will be reflected in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and their engagement with gender reassignment-related learning.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on race, heritage, colour, or ethnicity, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across the school community.	We reflect diverse family heritages through resources, learning tasks, and the curriculum, Intolerance is challenged, and positive action is taken to address disadvantages. Pupils are not segregated by race, nationality, or heritage. Our approach aligns with Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, and respect, while experiencing non-discrimination and being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views. This impact will be reflected in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and engagement with race-related learning.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination based on culture, faith, beliefs, or non-beliefs, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across the school community.	Our PSHE and RE curricula celebrate diverse beliefs through multi-sensory learning, themed weeks, and visits to places of worship. We respect cultural and religious requirements, challenge intolerance, and align with Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, and respect, experience non-discrimination, and be challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views. This impact will be reflected in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and engagement with learning on religion, culture, belief, and non-belief.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on sexual orientation, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across the school community.	Our PSHE and SRE curricula ensure that gay, lesbian, and bisexual pupils, or those with LGBTQ+ parents, are treated equally. We use the Hackett Continuum: for safeguarding, and align with Rights Respecting Education and our core values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, respect, and non-discrimination, while being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views. This impact will be reflected in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and learning on sexual orientation.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation based on family arrangements, promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across the school community.	We teach about diverse family types through PSHE, SRE, and RE, reflecting families in the school and beyond. Safeguarding is supported with the Hutton tracking and our approach aligns with Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, respect, and non-discrimination, while being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views, with impact shown in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and learning on marriage/civil partnership.
We ensure equality by preventing discrimination, harassment, or victimisation of pregnant staff/ stakeholders promoting equal opportunities, and fostering positive relationships across the school community.	We provide PSHE/SRE, liaise with relevant agencies, and align with Rights Respecting Education and core school values.	Pupils will develop self-awareness, belonging, respect, and non-discrimination, while being challenged on biases. They will express their needs and views, with impact shown in EHCP reviews, pupil voice through AAC and communication, and learning on pregnancy & maternity.

SPIRITUAL, MORAL, SOCIAL, CULTURAL (SMSC)

	Definition	Implementation – how it looks at Sladewood?
	Spiritual development in schools’ nurture’s identity, purpose, and life’s meaning by fostering self-reflection, respect for diverse beliefs, curiosity, creativity, and appreciation of personal values and the world.	Embedded in our values and ethos Daily routines & lessons Respecting the beliefs of others Educated in others’ views/ beliefs/ opinions Mindfulness Yoga Affirmations Enriching their views, beliefs, values & Morals Mental health & well-being work Thrive Reflection, Meditation Interoception Emotions and feelings work RE & PSHE curriculum
	In SMSC, moral development fosters a sense of right and wrong, respect for the law, and ethical decision-making. It promotes empathy, integrity, and responsibility, helping pupils become ethically conscious individuals	Embedding School values and cultures Daily routines and lessons Respect Role modelling Turn taking activities Restorative practice Proactively teaching right and wrong- linking this to our choices Play skills- thinking out loud Teaching and modelling morals PSHE curriculum Charity Days & experience days Thrive Social stories
	Social development in SMSC focuses on building relationships, teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, and understanding social norms. It fosters active citizenship, respect for diversity, and prepares students to contribute positively to society	Inclusivity- ethos of our school Learning about similarities and differences Relational practices- emotionally available adults Values and ethos of the school Playtimes – OPAL school Social support modelled- using thinking out loud Thrive Interventions and therapies including OT/ SALT Social skills ECHP outcomes- short term targets PSHE curriculum Community events Group time work- sharing attention Social stories.
	Cultural development in SMSC fosters appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and values. It promotes cultural awareness, participation in the arts, respect for British values, challenging prejudice, and recognizing cultural influences, helping students develop their identity and thrive in a multicultural society.	Embedded in our ethos and values within the school Lessons and routines Staff have been educated in awareness of other cultures Curriculum Assemblies- celebration, religious and topical to time of year Experience days International days School council and pupil voice Impendence skills Parental and pupil voice within the EHCP aspirations Community days

Wider Opportunities

We are currently looking at new and exciting opportunities that support children to thrive, grow and develop in all areas.

Enrichment

We will be updating our enrichment offer every term on a Friday afternoon, we will continue to share examples of our plans.

Preparation for Adulthood

Our Futures including our Careers Offer

Please see our futures long term plan for further information.

Overall Impact:

Ultimately, this programme ensures that children leave Sladewood ready to make a meaningful impact in their next steps in education and within their wider community, beyond education.

Everyone at Sladewood will ensure we will work towards our vision of “Together we will Thrive”. Where we create a school community of play, laughter, acceptance, curiosity, empathy and a love for learning.

On leaving the Sladewood community, pupils will have been exposed to a broad and balanced education where they have the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in their next steps of education.

For further information see the Personal Development and Wellbeing Booklet below, Curriculum page and booklet and our Stakeholder & Pupil Voice page – along with our School Council page.