West Denton Primary School
Personal Development
Personal Development is crucial for fostering holistic growth and equipping children with essential life skills, emotional intelligence and resilience. At West Denton Primary School, personal development is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to nurturing well-rounded, confident and compassionate individuals who are prepared for life in a diverse and ever-changing world. Our core values Respect, Persevere and Achieve are central to this vision and are embedded in every aspect of school life.
Children today are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This brings exciting opportunities but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way. Our aim is to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk management, team working and critical thinking.
Our PD@WDPS programme enriches life at West Denton Primary School. Our sequential, well-planned events support our aim to ensure children leave us as well-rounded, tolerant and respectful individuals. Children develop an age appropriate understanding of their place in society and their role in contributing to a positive community in which people can thrive. PD@WDPS is organised into six half-term strands.
West Denton's Wellbeing
How do we help everyone to belong?
This strand links to the school values Respect and Persevere and ties into the British Values of Mutual Respect, Individual Liberty and Democracy. Children explore different ways to support their wellbeing, such as yoga and mindfulness activities. Wellbeing Ambassadors support children on the yard to maintain healthy relationships. Identity Shields help children develop their sense of self.
West Denton Giving Back
How can small acts strengthen a community?
This strand links to the school value Respect and ties into the British Values of Mutual Respect and Rule of Law. Children focus on acts of kindness within and beyond a community. Food is collected for a local food bank, pupils take part in a warm winter campaign, and children consider how different charities support groups of people within our community.
West Denton's Cultures and Diversity
What can we learn from different stories, faiths and cultures?
This strand links to the school value Respect and ties into the British Values of Tolerance, Liberty and Rule of Law. Children explore a range of stories which promote these values. They learn about festivals and celebrations across different faiths. Children explore the protected characteristics and take part in discussions about rights and equality.
West Denton's Community
How do rules, rights and responsibilities keep us safe?
This strand links to the school values Achieve and Persevere and ties into the British Values of Democracy and Rule of Law. Children take part in activities to improve the local community, such as litter picking, online conduct pledges, community safety walks and road, rail and water safety posters.
West Denton's World
How can we care for school, Newcastle and the wider world?
This strand links to the school values Respect and Persevere and ties into the British Values of Respect and Individual Liberty. Children participate in eco manifestos and outdoor learning, including planting in the school’s edible garden. Younger children explore bug hotels, while older children learn about the importance of hedgehogs for local ecosystems.
West Denton's Futures
What kind of person do I want to become?
This strand links to the school values Achieve and Persevere and ties into the British Values of Individual Liberty and Respect. Younger children learn about different jobs, with significant individuals visiting school. Year 6 attend the annual ONE Trust Careers Fair. All classes spend time sharing social stories about transition as they prepare to move to the next year group.
Personal Development across school life
Personal Development is woven into all aspects of school life at West Denton Primary. We provide an environment in which pupils thrive and mature into well-informed young people. Our PSHE curriculum underpins this aim through three core themes: relationships, physical health and mental wellbeing, and living in the wider world.
We embrace the many talents and interests of our pupils and offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, selected through pupil voice and regular school council meetings.
We want our learners to feel empowered with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage life’s challenges and make the most of life’s opportunities. We aim to give children the tools they need to take care of themselves, physically and mentally, and to stay safe and thrive in an ever-changing world.
PD@WDPS also highlights the importance of protected characteristics throughout our curriculum.
