Personal Development

At Lindal & Marton, Personal Development is intentionally designed to support every child to grow into a confident, articulate, respectful and responsible young person. It is not a collection of disconnected initiatives; it is a coherent, sequenced, whole-school offer that prepares pupils exceptionally well for life in modern Britain.

Our Personal Development curriculum sits across 8 integrated strands:

1. PSHE / RSE Curriculum (Kapow)

Our Kapow mixed-age RSE/PSHE programme provides structured, progressive learning in:

Relationships and families
Emotional regulation and wellbeing
Mental and physical health
Online safety (fully mapped to Education for a Connected World)
Safety and first aid
Diversity, stereotypes and inclusion
Citizenship, democracy and economic wellbeing

Kapow gives consistency across mixed-age classes and ensures statutory coverage, progression, vocabulary development and secure assessment.

2. Religious Education (Cumbria Agreed Syllabus)

RE is central to our Personal Development offer. It significantly strengthens spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding.

Through a balanced disciplinary approach (Theology, Philosophy, Human/Social Sciences), pupils learn:

Christianity across all year groups
The six principal world religions
Humanism and non-religious worldviews
Concepts of identity, belonging, meaning and belief
Ethical thinking and handling of complex questions

RE builds empathy, respect for difference, curiosity and critical thinking. It is a major contributor to SMSC and Protected Characteristics.

British Values & Assembly Programme

British Values are explicitly taught and regularly revisited through our sequenced assembly curriculum covering:

Democracy
Rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect
Tolerance of different faiths and beliefs

Assemblies include discussion prompts, high-quality literature and reflection opportunities. They support character development, social understanding and inclusive attitudes.

4. Wider Personal Development: Enrichment, Trips & Experiences

Our personal development beyond the curriculum is a key strength. Pupils experience cultural, academic, physical and social opportunities that develop character, confidence and aspiration.

Experiences include:

Cultural visits (museums, theatre, heritage locations)
STEM workshops (BAE Systems, secondary school labs, science events)
First aid training (KS2)
Finance education and careers encounters
Residentials and outdoor adventure
Leadership opportunities (School Council, Eco roles, play leaders)
Guest speakers (authors, poets, emergency services, Paralympians)
Charity and community action events

These experiences broaden horizons, build resilience and develop personal responsibility.personal

5. SMSC Across the Curriculum

SMSC development is embedded through:

RE (beliefs, identity, community, ethics)
PSHE/RSE (relationships, choices, emotions, values)
Assemblies (reflection, diversity, mutual respect)
English (texts exploring moral choices and human experiences)
History (justice, conflict, peace, change)
Geography (place, culture, environmental responsibility)
Music and Art (expression, creativity, symbolism)
PE (teamwork, fairness, sportsmanship)

SMSC is not an add-on. It is part of everyday learning and interaction.

6. Protected Characteristics

Pupils learn about fairness, inclusion and respect for all through:

PSHE units on stereotypes, friendships, families, respect and identity
RE studies of diverse beliefs, lived experiences and worldviews
Assemblies celebrating diversity
Subject texts representing varied cultures, backgrounds and identities
Cultural celebrations (Diwali, Eid, Chinese New Year, Easter, Christmas)
Real-world encounters and visitors

A clear Protected Characteristics Coverage Map evidences exactly where and how each characteristic is taught.

7. Leadership, Responsibility & Citizenship

We actively develop pupil responsibility and voice through:

School Council
Classroom responsibilities
Play leaders
Reading buddies
Eco roles
Event ambassadors
Leading assemblies or contributing to whole-school events

Children learn democratic participation, collaboration and responsible citizenship.

8. Wellbeing, Safety & Healthy Lifestyles

Our offer includes:

Mental health focus weeks
Online safety workshops
First-aid education
Physical activity events and outdoor learning
Education on sleep, hygiene, diet and self-care
Strong pastoral support and early help through FSW links

Pupils learn to regulate emotions, keep themselves safe and make healthy, responsible decisions.