Personal Development

What is personal development?

'Encouraging each child to become personally, emotionally, socially and physically effective, to lead healthy, safe and fulfilled lives; To become confident, independent and responsible citizens, making informed and responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives’

We are passionate about children’s Personal Development (PD) at Pyrcroft Grange. We understand the important role this plays in ensuring that all children grow into confident, resilient and engaged young people and adults who make a positive contribution to society and are able to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. The curriculum we offer our children extends beyond the academic and supports pupils to develop in many aspects of life.

Children are growing up in a world that is constantly changing, and it is the duty of all staff, in partnership with the parents, to teach the children transferable life skills. We teach children about the world around them, relationships, emotions, reproduction and health, as well as transferable skills to help with life.

Pyrcroft Grange offers an inclusive environment in which everyone experiences a sense of belonging and understand that their voice will be heard and respected. It promotes equality of opportunity so that all children can thrive together, understanding that difference is a positive, not a negative, and that individual characteristics make people unique. This includes, but is not limited to children’s understanding of the protected characteristics and how equality and diversity are promoted

Eleven key values run through the school curriculum and daily interactions at Pyrcroft Grange Primary School. We believe that the values we support are not just unique to Britain but are shared by many people in the world represented by the diverse families in our community.

Personal Development opportunities within the curriculum:

• OPAL play project (UN Charter on the Rights of the Child)
• Wide range of extra-curricular activities (before and after school)
• Strong links with Chertsey Museum (workshops and loan boxes)
• Cross-curricular links within academic lessons. Planned trips, speakers, workshops to ignite children’s curiosity and enhance their understanding of key knowledge
• Residential trips (Year 4 and Year 6)
• Promoting British Values (Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual liberty, Mutual Respect, Tolerance of those of different Faiths and Beliefs)
• Strong PSHE curriculum (1Decision)
• Chicks (celebrating new life)
• Poolside and water safety though swimming lessons (Year 4)
• Junior Citizenship Workshop (Year 6)
• Antibullying week
• World Mental Health day + Fantastic Fred Workshops provided by the NHS
• Weekly values assembly
• Class assemblies and productions
• Singing assembly (exposure to a variety of classical music)
• Open the Book Assembly (Religious Education)
• The Zones of Regulation (COIN centre)
• Fire awareness visit
• Police visit (all year groups assembly and workshops)
• Online Safety lessons and celebrating safer internet day
• Neurodiversity week (celebrating difference)
• ELSA support
• Liaison with nurseries and secondary schools for successful transitions
• Links with subject specialists at local secondary schools
• Career pathway programme from Early Years to Key Stage 3/World of Work week
• Forest school (allowing children to assess their own risks)
• Specialist P.E teacher
• Specialist singing teacher (Primary Robins)
• Delight (exposure to dance and art)
• Regular fire and lockdown drills (safety)
• School Council (elected by class)
• Eco Heroes (supporting the environment)
• Religious Education Programme
• Fundraising for charities
• Supporting the local foodbank
• Opportunity to access guitar lessons
• Tips and information shared with parents via the weekly newsletter/workshops
• Junior Duke award scheme 
• Year 6 pupil leadership
• 52 Lives (Kindness initiatives)