Intent
The Future is Now
Personal Development at Woodlands Academy has the purpose of educating pupils about the society that they are growing up in and providing them with the opportunity to develop and grow personally. Pupils will know and understand more about how to play a positive and successful role within our society, both as a pupil in our school and as an adult in the future.
Our aim as a school is to help shape our pupils’ minds so that they have the confidence to be an active citizen in modern day Britain. The curriculum journey focuses on pupils’ physical and emotional health and gives them the skills and values to keep themselves safe. Pupils learn about healthy emotional and physical relationships and skills to ensure that these relationships continue into adulthood.
Personal Development can tackle barriers to learning, raise aspirations, improve life chances. It can also develop confidence, creative and curious young adults by building their character through challenging topics and themes.
There is evidence to show that it can also address:
- Substance misuse, relationships and lifestyle choices
- A lack of physical activity and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing
To be successful independent learners, children and young people need regular opportunities to reflect on and identify what they have learned, what needs to be learned and what they need to continue their learning. The personal nature of a Personal Development curriculum and our pupils means that it cannot be assessed in the same ways as most other subjects.
It is however possible to recognise and evidence progress and attainment in the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes Personal Development strives to enhance.
The model of assessment we utilise is that at the start of every new unit an initial activity is carried out to gauge the pupils starting point. It is used to inform the teachers planning for that topic. At the end of the unit an activity is carried out to allow pupils to demonstrate the progress they have made. For example an initial emotional expression picture card activity which is then revisited to match words to expressions, correcting previous misconceptions and answering initial questions.
DEMOCRACY
The school supports democratic values in various ways – both as part of our school curriculum and in an extra-curriculum capacity. For instance, we have an active and purposeful school council that ensures voices from all pathways are represented. Pupils views from this forum are valued and have impacted on change within the school.
RULE OF LAW
In school we have an Inclusive behaviour policy to which pupils are held to accountable with clear adaptations based on individual needs. Rules and expectations are promoted consistently across the curriculum and pupils are aware of the consequences of falling short of these expectations. The school also recognises, through its reward system the progress made by individual pupils and the unique barriers they overcome.
INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY
We believe that all pupils should be given the opportunity to make appropriate personal choices and we offer the support and guidance to enable them to do so. Pupils have the freedom to participate in a wide range of curricular activities, including sports teams and whole school clubs. As pupils progress through the school, they can move through curriculum pathways which are all designed to prepare them for their next destination. Within our ethics curriculum, there are opportunities for pupils to participate in discussions and debates during which they are encouraged to consider and express their own individual viewpoints.
MUTUAL RESPECT
Our motto of Empowering Through Education ensures that we put learning and respect at the heart of everything we do. Pupils regularly take part in celebration assemblies that focus on good work and being kind. We work tirelessly to ensure that bullying is eradicated through support and understanding. All pupils have a designated trusted adult they can turn to in times of need. The school takes part in anti-bullying week and runs a wide range of support programmes to ensure all pupils feel safe and valued in school.
TOLERANCE
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs is central to our school as we work to celebrate the uniqueness nature of every child who attends. Cross-curricular activities and trips abroad to experience different cultures helps to broaden our pupils understanding. Lessons and assemblies explore different faiths and beliefs and carefully selected text and poems explore traditions from other countries.
Pupils attending Woodlands Academy receive a broad programme that gives them the knowledge they need to make decisions, strengthens them personally and contributes to building their character, through the following elements:
- Inclusion and equality of opportunity
- Wider opportunities for pupils
- Health, Education – Physical and mental wellbeing
- Understanding technology and media
- Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- Development of character
- Economic understanding
- Citizenship
- British values
- Relationship education
The curriculum aims to provide our pupils with the knowledge, skills and experiences required to live as independently as possible, taking into account the needs and challenges of each individual, we aim to provide quality learning experiences and the cultural capital required for our pupils to develop as individuals, ready to face the challenges of the next stage of their lives with confidence. We take a holistic approach to developing the whole person.
Our curriculum is organised into 3 pathways to support the specific needs of the pupils. The Personal Development Curriculum has been designed as a two-year knowledge-rich programme.
Please click on the individual tabs below for further details:
Yellow Pathway
This pathway supports learners with the most significant educational needs. These young people have needs including ASD, PMLD, Speech, Language and Communication and Physical disabilities. Yellow Pathway aims to develop the pupils’ independence and communication. It is hoped that pupils will be able to work collaboratively with peers and be able to perform personal care independently.
Green Pathway
This pathway supports learners with significant educational needs who are also able to engage in some formal learning. These young people have needs including ASD, MLD, SLD, SEMH, Speech, Language and Communication and Physical disabilities. Green Pathway aims to develop literacy and numeracy skills, along with independence and communication. The pupils have opportunities to express themselves and build self-confidence through creative subjects such as Art, drama and music.
Blue Pathway
This pathway supports learners with needs including ASD, MLD and SEMH, and those able to access a more traditional curriculum. Blue Pathway aims to develop independent and rounded citizens, through a wide range of formal accreditations, work experience and employment opportunities.
Personal Development Guidance
Click here to view the Personal Development Guidance.
Careers Guidance
Click here to view our Careers page.
Click here to view our Careers programme information.
Click here to view our Baker Clause statement.
PSHE Curriculum
Click here to view our Long Term Plan for PSHE.
Click here to view our RSE Policy.
School Council
Overview
The purpose of Woodlands’ Pupil Council is to:
Provide a voice for children at Woodlands Academy.
Help plan and deliver events and activities in and around the school.
Represent the thoughts and opinions of children at the school around specific matters of school policy and curriculum.
The school council aims to include at least one representative from each class group and representatives from each pathway.
School councillors are selected on an annual basis through democratic elections in classes in a format appropriate to each group.
Activity
During Summer Term 1 2023, The whole academy engaged in activities including campaigns and elections to select representatives from each class to take part in pupil council.
The council supported recent teacher recruitment by devising questions and interviewing candidates.
The council shared their views on plans for developing the outdoor learning area.
The council is planning a summer fair to raise funds for new goal posts.
Composition
Chair – Al Rea
8 pupil councillors from classes 1-8 and one special rep from class 8.
Pupil Voice
Click here to view the pupil voice activity summary for 2022-2023.