Personal development

Personal development is both a subject and a school ethos. It is reflected in our school motto of Learning, Love and Laughter and in our school values. We want to each child to leave the school feeling confident, unique and proud.

Our aim is to teach children how to navigate through life safely, happily and healthily. Children are growing up in a world that is constantly changing and it is the duty of all the staff at school, 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. We consistently promote the British values and our school values.

• democracy
• the rule of law
• individual liberty
• mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith.

Barnes Primary School teaches personal development in a wide range of ways throughout the children’s school lives. For example:

• • it is taught in discrete lessons (please see the curriculum map below);
  • it is taught with cross-curricular links in other lessons, such as English, physical education and religious education;
  • staff members consistently model how to be a good citizen who uphold the school values;
  • assemblies (whole school and special visitors);
  • annual ‘Saving Londoners’ Lives’ Day to learn basic first aid;
  • citizenship scheme in KS2;
  • specialist staff working with individuals and groups;
  • e-Safety lessons in computing and assembly;
  • celebrating positive learning attributes with weekly certificates;
  • huge array of before and after school clubs;
  • well thought through transitions throughout the school and beyond;
  • focusing on mental and physical health;
  • pupil council;
  • eco-warriors’ group;
  • celebrating different languages, cultures and religions;
  • outdoor activity trips.

Please click here to see the curriculum map for personal development.

For information on how we teach sex education, please click here.

For the school’s sex and relationships policy, please  click here.

For the national curriculum for health and relationships, please click here.

For useful terminology definitions, please click here.

Parents and carers are not allowed to withdraw their children from health and relationship education as it is a compulsory subject as of September 2020. This includes the teaching of puberty. You may withdraw your child from sex education lessons.  You can also get more information on the sex education page of this website (see link above). If you have any queries about your child taking part in any sex education lessons that are not currently on the national curriculum, please speak to the head teacher.

The purpose of the new awards are:

• to recognise and acknowledge the active role pupils play in the life of the school and the wider community
• to encourage children to make positive choices which will benefit their class, school and community
• to encourage children to become responsible, informed and active members of their class, school and wider community
• to encourage children to learn about aspects of citizenship education, including topical issues, rule and law-making, democracy, human rights, diversity.

This is for work within the class setting.

To achieve bronze at least 11 out of the 13 criteria below should be complete:

• I am well presented and wear the correct school uniform;
• I look after my belongings, including my sweatshirt, PE kit and cloakroom peg;
• I arrive at school punctually;
• I take care with my hand washing and sanitising and show respect when people want to distance;
• I hand in my reading journal and home learning punctually and have completed it as requested;
• I frequently go the extra mile with my reading journal;
• I frequently go the extra mile with my home learning;
• I actively involve myself with paired and whole class learning;
• I put myself forward for pupil council;
• I make healthy food choices for break and lunch;
• I play cooperatively at break and lunch and line up well;
• I take part in a school club before, during or after school.

This is for work within the key stage, phase or school.

To achieve the silver award you must complete one from this section:

• I support lunchtimes in Key Stage 1;
• I represent the school in an intra-school event (sport, music, art, house competitions, school council, supporting a club;
• I represent the school in an inter-school event (sport, music, art, Junior safety, pupil parliament);
• I read with a Year 5 pupil once a week for at least half a term.

To achieve the silver award you must also complete two tasks from this section:

• I volunteer as a KS2 litter picker once a week for half a term;
• I volunteer as a lost property monitor once a week for half a term;
• I volunteer as a library monitor once a week for half a term;
• I volunteer as a dining room monitor once a week for half a term;
• I volunteer as a LKS2 playground helper once a week for half a term.

This is to for work within the community.
To earn the gold award, you must complete three of the following tasks:

• research a topical local, national or global issue and present to the class or in an assembly;
• raise money for my school through a cake sale, sponsored event or any other initiative of my choice;
• raise money for Ruzusumiro school through the annual sponsored run or another initiative of my choice;
• raise money for another charity of my choice;
• contribute to the wider community through initiatives run by my clubs (cubs, brownies, place of worship for example);
• my family and I involve ourselves in a local initiative which benefits the community (litter pick for example);
• learn a new skill out of school.

Pop ‘n’ Olly – LGBT+ education for primary schools

AfC Emotional Health Service  – A multi-disciplinary team of clinical specialists and mental health clinicians (clinical and counselling psychologists, systemic psychotherapists and art psychotherapists) who provide mental health support to children and young people in Kingston and Richmond.

Mind – To provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Bullying – Advice and support for children and young people experiencing bullying

CAHMS Resources – Resources to support mental health and wellbeing.

Childline – A counselling service for children and young people.

BBC Bitesize – PSHE and citizenship videos to help children’s understanding.

NCPCC’s Pantosaurus – A video to help children stay safe and keeping their private parts private.

NSPCC – Information and support for child abuse

Mind – Mental Wellbeing resources for young people. 

Growth Mindset – Should you tell your kids they are smart or talented? Professor Carol Dweck answers this question and more, as she talks about her groundbreaking work on developing mindsets. She emphasizes the power of “yet” in helping students succeed in and out of the classroom.