Personal Development

'All pupils can take part in visits to local cultural events and museums. Older pupils have opportunities to develop entrepreneurial skills, such as planning for a fundraising tuck shop, before they leave the school.' Ofsted March 2023

At Oldfield Primary, we believe in developing the whole child—helping every pupil grow in confidence, character, and compassion. Personal development is woven throughout school life, equipping children with the skills, values, and attitudes they need to thrive both now and in the future.

SCARF Values

Our school’s personal development is rooted in the SCARF values:

• Safety

• Caring

• Achievement

• Resilience

• Friendship

These values guide how we learn, play, and treat others. They are reinforced through our PSHE lessons, assemblies, and day-to-day interactions across school.

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Learning Beyond the Curriculum

Children take part in a wide range of activities that support their personal growth, including:

• PSHE and RSE lessons that teach emotional awareness, healthy relationships, and self-confidence

• Outdoor learning and Forest School sessions that build teamwork and resilience

• Leadership opportunities through roles such as School Council and Eco Committee

• Cultural and enrichment experiences including trips, visitors, and themed weeks

• Celebration of diversity and understanding of different beliefs, backgrounds, and communities

• Safer Internet and Wellbeing Days, supported by outside agencies

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Values for Life

We help children develop respect for others, an understanding of right and wrong, and a sense of responsibility as members of the school and wider community. Through learning about topics such as democracy, fairness, and inclusion, children are encouraged to become kind, thoughtful and active citizens.

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Working Together

We know personal development doesn’t stop at the school gate. We work closely with families to support children’s wellbeing and development at home and in the wider world.

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Personal Development Offer

Vision
At Oldfield Primary School we believe that education is about developing the whole child. Every pupil deserves opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally, morally and culturally so they leave our school as confident, resilient, respectful and responsible young people.
Our Personal Development curriculum enables every child to:
• flourish as an individual
• understand themselves and others
• contribute positively to their community
• develop the knowledge, skills and character needed for future success
• become active citizens who embody our school and Trust values
Personal Development is not a discrete subject but a carefully planned entitlement that runs through every aspect of school life.
This rationale reflects:
• the Brontë Academy Trust vision and values
• the Brontë Awards enrichment framework
• statutory DfE guidance
• the expectations of Ofsted’s Personal Development guidance

Aims
We aim to ensure every pupil:
• develops confidence, resilience and independence
• understands how to stay physically and mentally healthy
• develops positive relationships
• demonstrates respect, kindness and empathy
• appreciates diversity and equality
• understands British Values
• develops leadership and responsibility
• participates in a wide range of cultural, sporting and creative opportunities
• contributes positively to the local and wider community
• is well prepared for the next stage of education

Our Principles
Our curriculum is underpinned by the Oldfield SCARF values:
• Safety
• Caring
• Achievement
• Resilience
• Friendship
These values are lived daily through teaching, assemblies, behaviour, relationships and enrichment.
Alongside SCARF, pupils develop the Brontë Academy Trust values of:
• Putting Pupils First
• Learning Together
• Acting with Integrity
• Making a Difference
These values provide the character framework for all aspects of personal development.

Our Personal Development curriculum includes:

PSHE and RSHE
Through our planned PSHE curriculum pupils learn about:
• emotional wellbeing
• healthy lifestyles
• relationships
• online safety
• citizenship
• economic wellbeing
• keeping safe
• personal responsibility
The curriculum fulfils statutory Relationships Education and Health Education requirements.

Character Education
Children develop character through:
• resilience
• perseverance
• teamwork
• leadership
• confidence
• independence
• responsibility
• aspiration
These characteristics are explicitly taught, modelled and celebrated.

The Brontë Awards
The Brontë Awards form the spine of our enrichment programme.
Every pupil works progressively towards:
Bronze Award
Nursery, Reception and Year 1
Silver Award
Years 2–4
Gold Award
Years 5–6
The awards provide a structured programme of experiences beyond the classroom including:
• educational visits
• outdoor learning
• community involvement
• performing arts
• sporting participation
• teamwork challenges
• cultural experiences
• environmental projects
• leadership opportunities
• acts of service
Pupil participation is tracked to ensure equality of opportunity.
Achievements are recognised through celebration events, displays and certificates.

British Values
Throughout the curriculum pupils develop understanding of:
• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
These are taught through:
• School Council
• elections
• classroom discussion
• assemblies
• curriculum themes
• visitors
• educational visits

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC)
Children are given opportunities to:
Spiritual
• reflect
• appreciate beauty
• develop curiosity
• consider beliefs and values
Moral
• understand right and wrong
• make ethical decisions
• accept responsibility
Social
• collaborate
• communicate
• resolve conflict
• contribute to school life
Cultural
• appreciate diversity
• celebrate different traditions
• engage with the arts
• experience local and national heritage

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We celebrate diversity and promote inclusion.
Children learn about:
• protected characteristics
• different families
• different cultures
• different faiths
• disability awareness
• equality
• anti-discrimination
We foster a culture where everyone belongs and every individual is valued.

Pupil Leadership
Leadership opportunities include:
• School Council
• Eco Committee
• Reading Ambassadors
• Playground Leaders
• House Captains (where applicable)
• Digital Leaders
• Charity and fundraising initiatives
Leadership develops responsibility, communication and confidence.

Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning is integral to personal development.
Pupils develop:
• resilience
• teamwork
• environmental awareness
• problem solving
• confidence
through Forest School, educational visits and outdoor experiences.

Careers and Aspirations
Although careers education in primary schools is non-statutory, Oldfield seeks to raise aspirations by providing:
• encounters with professionals
• enterprise opportunities
• financial education
• community partnerships
• transition preparation

Inclusion
Personal Development is for every child.
We ensure:
• equal access
• reasonable adjustments
• targeted support where appropriate
• removal of barriers to participation
Participation is monitored carefully so that all pupils benefit from the full range of experiences.

Monitoring Impact
We evaluate Personal Development through:
• Brontë Award participation records
• pupil voice
• learning walks
• curriculum monitoring
• behaviour data
• attendance
• enrichment participation
• safeguarding information
• parent feedback
• governor monitoring
• Ofsted evaluation criteria
Success is measured not simply by participation but by the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and character pupils demonstrate.