Personal Development
The Personal Development curriculum encourages students to learn more about themselves as growing and changing individuals. Students have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to enable them to make informed decisions about all aspects of their lives, as they develop from children into young adults. Students will also learn to respect the views, needs and rights of others, including people of different genders, ages and cultures to themselves. Students have the opportunity to broaden, extend and challenge their knowledge, values and skills to prepare them for life in modern Britain, with the aim of making students productive citizens. The Personal Development Curriculum at Slough and Eton aims to support the school’s Christian vision to enable all students to flourish and to develop students’ skills linked to the school characteristics of Communication, Honesty, Respect, Initiative, Success and Tolerance. It covers the following areas:
- Equality and diversity
- Well-being and health
- RSE
- Careers
- Cultural capital
- Character education
SMCS in the Personal development curriculum
At the heart of Slough and Eton’s ethos is the ambition that all students will achieve well and go on to lead successful and fulfilling lives. Our Christian vision I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness (John 10:10) is underpinned by our mantra: Work Hard, Be Nice, No Excuses and the Christian Values of mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. We use the acronym C.H.R.I.S.T. to exemplify the attributes we aim to develop in our students (Communication, Honesty, Respect, Initiative, Success and Tolerance)
The building blocks of spirituality are seen across the curriculum:
- Self-Awareness or Self Knowledge.
- Forming Relationships
- Uncertainty, Awe and Wonder.
- Asking Ultimate Questions.
- Beliefs and Values
- Creativity
- Feelings and Emotions
The school develops a sense of spirituality through an appreciation of music, poetry, nature, etc. In responding to a poem, story or text; students can be asked ‘I wonder what you think happens next?’ ‘How would you feel if you were the person in the story?’ ‘Where have you met these ideas before?’ They also appreciate the beauty and a sense of pride in their own language as the uptake for Urdu indicates. Fund raising for charities is the norm at the school and the student council is often the voice of the others if a global disaster has happened. At Christmas, collecting for food banks helps to reminds students to be nice, part of our mantra. Visits to religious buildings give students from all religions an opportunity to experience the different spiritual perspectives of other religions, The Art department and TVLP art competitions provide rich opportunities for artists’ interpretations and creativity. In Maths, making connections between students’ numeracy skills and real life provides another opportunity for spirituality. PE activities such as dance and games help students to become more focused, connected and creative. Therefore, Spirituality at S&E is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than oneself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, awe and wonder.
British values in the Personal development curriculum
- Democracy,
- The rule of law,
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Tolerance and understanding of all differences are key features of the school’s culture. Issues such as homophobia, racism and many different types of bullying are also addressed within our tutor programme and our reflective collective worship programme. Our provision reflects the school’s focus on British values and our Christian values of mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. Dedicated PSHE lessons strengthens this provision.
The school’s behaviour management systems (including Walkabout, Social Time Duty Rotas, Focus Room, PLR, Shepherd Centre, DDSLs, Pastoral Support Manager and HOYs and DHOYs) maintain proactive ‘on call’ duty to monitor behaviour for learning across the site every period, support designated classes and intervene as needed. Our school’s behaviour policy prepares our students for their adult life, knowing the difference between right and wrong in understanding the rule of law. The debates and discussions across the curriculum under the Oracy umbrella provide opportunities to develop skills necessary for the adult world. Democracy in action is done through election of the school council where students have to go through a rigorous selection process. Pupil and parent questionnaires provide additional voices to address concerns or to celebrate successes. Rights and responsibilities are taught in PSHE and in the RE curriculum. Collective worship fully addresses the core themes of British values.