At The Sir Donald Bailey Academy, we are committed to delivering a high-quality Personal Development curriculum that enables all pupils to become confident, resilient and respectful individuals who are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. Our curriculum supports pupils’ emotional wellbeing, personal growth and understanding of the wider world, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued and included.
We place a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ ability to recognise and manage their emotions, build positive relationships and make informed, responsible choices. Through a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, pupils gain the knowledge, skills and vocabulary needed to understand themselves and others, celebrate diversity and challenge discrimination.
Our Personal Development curriculum promotes the core values of respect, kindness and responsibility, supporting pupils to understand fairness, equality and inclusion. Pupils are taught how to stay safe in a range of contexts, including online, and are supported to develop the confidence to seek help when needed.
We nurture pupils’ aspirations and personal growth by encouraging them to recognise their strengths, set goals and take pride in their achievements. Through opportunities for reflection, discussion and real-life application, pupils develop resilience and confidence to face new challenges, including key transitions.
By the time pupils leave our school, they will be emotionally literate, socially aware and equipped with the knowledge, skills and personal qualities needed to thrive as active, responsible members of society.
The Personal Development curriculum at The Sir Donald Bailey Academy is delivered through a carefully planned and progressive programme from EYFS to Year 6. This ensures that key knowledge, skills and understanding are revisited regularly and built upon over time, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding and make meaningful links across themes.
The curriculum is structured around a series of clearly defined and progressive themes, which are taught systematically to ensure full coverage and coherence. These include: Everyone Belongs Here; Health and Wellbeing; Personal Growth; Protected Characteristics; Staying Safe; Celebrating Me; My Future; and Moving On. Through these themes, pupils develop a strong foundation in emotional literacy, relationships, safety and aspiration.
Personal Development is primarily delivered through explicit lessons, supported by high-quality resources that are carefully selected to meet the needs of all pupils. Learning is further enhanced through assemblies, enrichment opportunities and the wider school ethos, ensuring that Personal Development is embedded across all aspects of school life.
Teaching approaches are designed to actively engage pupils and promote deep understanding. A strong emphasis is placed on discussion, circle time and pupil voice to develop oracy and allow children to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions in a safe and supportive environment. Teachers use real-life scenarios and role-play to help pupils apply their learning to everyday situations, making learning relevant and meaningful.
Explicit teaching of key vocabulary is a central feature of the curriculum, ensuring pupils develop the language needed to articulate emotions, build relationships and understand complex concepts such as fairness, respect and responsibility. Regular opportunities for reflection are embedded within lessons, allowing pupils to consider their learning, recognise personal growth and develop self-awareness.
Across the school, there is a consistent focus on creating safe, inclusive and supportive classroom environments where all pupils feel valued and confident to participate. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring accessibility and inclusion, with opportunities for both verbal and non-verbal responses.
Through this structured and inclusive approach, the Personal Development curriculum ensures that all pupils are supported to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to thrive both in school and beyond.