Personal Development

Intent

Our Academic Curriculum, which is intended to enable all students to achieve their best, sits alongside our Personal Develop Curriculum. This supports students to flourish personally, regardless of whatever challenges they may face in their home environment or community.

Our aim is to ensure that students can build the personal attributes, knowledge and skills to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives, and in so doing, to grow students’ cultural capital.

The Five Tenets of the Personal Development Curriculum

Perseverance: we keep going when times are tough, seeking a constant sense of growth; we understand that things of value take effort to achieve. We support each other and are hopeful about the future.

• We aspire to be the best that we can, at whatever goals we choose to pursue.
• We are given the knowledge and support to make informed subject choices for Key Stages 4 and 5, relevant to our talents, interests and aspirations.
• We are challenged to think deeply, and read rich and challenging texts.
• We receive the support we need to progress, including specific and constructive feedback from our teachers.
• We learn a range of success-building habits, including effective learning and revision strategies, to retain our learning for life.
• We face a range of intellectual, personal, physical and social challenges, and in doing so, develop resilience and positive self-esteem.
• We learn and use strategies to ensure we can stay safe and manage our emotional wellbeing.

Kindness: we show care, understanding, tolerance, friendliness and courtesy towards other people.

• We feel known, valued and included by peers and staff members alike.
• We work with a range of peers and adults during our time at The Mandeville School.
• We learn how to relate to others, develop respect compassion and empathy.
• We understand and believe that school is for everyone; we embrace and welcome each other with warmth.
• We learn the tools to resolve interpersonal conflict effectively, and develop strong and healthy friendships.
• We are well-prepared for the complexities and joys of adult relationships

Integrity: we take responsibility for our actions, think for ourselves, are honest and take pride in all that we do.

• We explore ethics, values, faiths and character traits at The Mandeville School.
• We debate, challenge and refine our personal morals and beliefs in depth.
• We are supported to develop good character; developing confidence by leading, compassion by helping others, and integrity by making mistakes and learning from them

Community: we value everyone, respect each other, act for each other, and care for our environment.

• We feel connected to a school community, as well as local, national and international communities.
• We take an active role in the school’s House system, including representing our Houses in cultural or sporting activities.
• We contribute to shared goals such as charity activities and environmental projects.
• We are aware of how our choices affect others in our communities.
• We explore our personal identities, cultural background and culture.
• We also learn about others’ cultures, and how to live harmoniously with others.
• We interact with diverse and successful role models who inspire us.
• We understand that being a member of community means having both rights and responsibilities.
• We develop and share a sense of pride in who we are, and the skills and knowledge to understand people with cultures and identities different to ours.

Flourishing: we strive to be the best we can be; use our talents and abilities, live up to our potential and live fulfilling lives.

• We develop the skills to allow us to fully benefit from the broad and rich academic curriculum, with a balance of academic, creative and practical subjects.
• We have rich cultural experiences such as live theatre, religious, sporting, creative and cultural events, and explore culturally significant people, places and ideas.
• We engage with high-quality and varied careers education and work experience, and therefore develop detailed understanding of challenging and rewarding career paths.
• We develop the confidence to articulate and pursue bold and ambitious challenges.
• We are given the tools to pursue our goals over time, including support with application to further education and training, including universities and apprenticeships.
• We also understand that life goals should encompass financial, personal, altruistic and intellectual facets in balance.

How is this taught?

The curriculum is delivered through:

• Assemblies: twice weekly for Years 7 and 8, and weekly for older students.
• Tutor time: daily for all students.
• School events: awards assemblies and special events (e.g. Remembrance Day).
• Informal conversations: interaction between staff and students before, during, and after the school day at clubs, at breaktimes, on sports fixtures, etc.
• As part of the PSHCE programme, fortnightly for all students.
• As part of six Mandeville Charter Days