The Personal Development programme is designed to support students in their growth from Year 7 to Year 11. The aim is to help the students to develop their self-confidence and self-awareness so that they can perform at their best and make choices in their life that will be well informed.
The Personal Development lessons in Years 7 and 8 are delivered by the tutors and this helps students and staff get to know each other much better. The sessions continue to support students by encouraging them to learn about themselves and how to get along with others.
Students are taught how to keep themselves safe and given tasks to encourage them to feel good about themselves.
From Years 9 to 11 there is an opportunity for the students to engage in discussions on a wide range of topics that are chosen to help them better understand their emotional selves as well as how to have a healthy lifestyle. They are given sex and relationship education by outreach workers from the NHS as well as through touring theatre productions.
The students are given support and advice to help them lead a happy and fulfilling life.
Careers
The aim of our careers programme is to help pupils make informed decisions about their future and have the self-confidence and skills to follow them through. In our changing global economy, it is essential that pupils have the character skills, alongside a good academic education, to help them be competitive as applicants and feel they have the ability to progress positively on their chosen life path. As a school we aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills that are highly valued in work and society. Each pupil will have differing aspirations and we have a good track record of helping fulfil them. Our realistic and informed advice is based on the best path for each individual. Our aim is for pupils to better understand themselves, their skills and how they can add value in the work they do.
Before Year 9 there will be some sign posting to possible ways of progressing after school and information about jobs. Our alumni and Sixth Formers are also involved in delivering content at this stage.
In Year 9 we start to really look ahead with pupils, via PD lessons, to the choices which have to be made regarding their GCSE courses.
In Years 10 and 11 there is a focus on careers though the Personal Development programme in Year 10 and individual meetings in the Autumn term of Year 11. By Year 11 careers advice takes the form of whole group, tutor group and individual meetings. Tutors and Heads of Department also play a role in helping with careers advice. External speakers and advisory agencies are invited into school throughout the year during enrichment sessions. Careers advice is ongoing and available by appointment, to both pupils and parents and a careers clinic for all pupils occurs on Friday lunchtime. Advice is available to pupils of all ages on any aspect of progression to GCSE, Post 16 courses, university both in the UK and globally, and employment.
In the Lower Sixth we are available to advise and are fully aware that some students develop their aspirations at differing paces so we refine the process of the more advanced and nudge those who may need help understanding that a decision will need to be made.
In the spring term of the Lower Sixth PD sessions each week are career, progression and life-skill related. Visits to career fairs and university or work related events are also prevalent in the Lower Sixth. The mechanics of UCAS applications is dealt with by the Sixth Form tutor team but we advise where necessary.
Lifelong Learning
Recognising that the world of work is demanding wider evidence of skills beyond academic grades we focus across the school on a curriculum and activities that will inform and develop these skills. The lifelong learner is one who can adapt to change which is necessary in work and beyond.
We work with our pupils from the beginning in Fiveways right through to the Upper Sixth.
