What is personal development?

A wide range of additional opportunities enrich learning taught in Early Years and through the National Curriculum. Through our core values we help pupils develop their character, to know that individual differences should be valued, to be resilient, reflective, to have empathy and respect for one another. We help pupils understand and deepen their knowledge of the British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance.

Through our taught curriculum for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RHSE), we teach pupils to recognise and manage online and offline risks. We teach them about healthy relationships and that sexual harassment of any kind is not tolerated. Our personal development curriculum supports pupils to be ready for their next stage in education, it weaves its way through every part of what we do at St Barnabas. 

Our Co-curriculum

Specialist clubs

Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of experiences and opportunities within and beyond the school day. Our specialist club programme is designed to link with and enhance the school curriculum for all age groups from Reception to Year 6. All clubs are run by experienced and qualified teachers or coaches who have a passion to inspire pupils and help them develop new skills. Our program is a broad offer and includes sports, art, music, computing and many more, ranging from Choir, Science, Lego and Cooking, we aim to have a club for everyone.

Residential visits

Residential visits in year 5 and 6 build children’s independence and provide opportunities for learning within different contexts and settings. 

Trips and visits

Trips and visits take place throughout the school year, in all year groups linked to our learning. If appropriate we also invite external speakers to deliver talks and workshops.

Library resources

A specialist library service sends us books and resources, including artefacts, matched to our curriculum to help pupils develop a love of reading and enrich their interest in taught subjects including history and geography.

Assembly programme

A programme of assemblies based on our values helps to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and provide clear guidance for pupils on how to grow up to be the best person they can possible be. As well as the values assemblies, each term pupils also take part in:

• safeguarding assemblies,
• sports celebration assemblies
• music performance assemblies
• Worship Warriors assemblies (they plan and deliver their own assemblies)
• School Council assemblies, pupils (in mixed aged groups) debate and make decisions about the life and work of the school.

PE & Sport competition and healthy lifestyles

We provide pupils with  a wide range of PE & Sport opportunities beyond the school day. Through our sports teams, pupils compete in a range of local competitions, sports festivals and local cluster fixtures. After school clubs such as Dance, Tag Rugby, Football, Cricket and Athletics further provide opportunities for pupils to develop sporting skills, healthy lifestyle and positive attitudes. We work closely with our local secondary schools (Dauntsey's and Lavington) to ensure a wide range of sports are offered.

Music

Pupils take part in a wide range of musical activities beyond the National Curriculum. All pupils in Years 3-6 learn to play a musical instrument. We also have a choir and take part in the Devizes Eisteddfod.  Pupils in the choir also take part in an annual concert at the OVO in London. Pupils who take part in ensembles have regular opportunities to perform. Those who are learning a musical instrument, or sing are asked to perform in our regular music assemblies, showcasing their talent.  

Forest School

Forest Schools is designed to provide opportunities for outdoor learning in a natural environment.  As a school we are very fortunate in having our own forest school area and a teacher trained to deliver the Forest Schools programme.

Pupils in our  Nursery and Reception age groups have regular forest school sessions. Pupils in our nurture programme also benefit from these sessions. Each session is designed around the needs of the pupils taking part.

Pupils as Leaders

Pupils have many opportunities to become a leader in school. These include Head Students, Ambassadors, House Captainsfor each of our House Teams (each pupils belongs to one of our four colours), representatives on our eco & values committees and leadership roles such as peer mediators, playground friends and sports leaders.