Personal Development (PD) is at the heart of our school learning journey. It encourages, promotes and
develops a range of skills and attributes that allow children to be life-long learners, in line with our trust
vision of ‘Inspiring the individuals of today, for a better society tomorrow’.

We support children to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their
lives, now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, our PD curriculum develops the
qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and active members of
their communities in modern Britain. PD prepares pupils to manage many of the most critical
opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up in such rapidly changing and
challenging times. It also helps them to connect and apply the knowledge and understanding they learn
in all subjects to practical, real-life situations while helping them to feel safe and secure to fulfil their
academic potential.

Our whole school approach promotes effective relationships between all members of the school
community. Our PD curriculum assists children and young people in building their personal identities,
confidence and self-esteem, enabling them to understand what influences their decisions. Developing
self-understanding, empathy and the ability to work with others helps our pupils to enjoy healthy and
productive relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Our personal development curriculum is delivered through teaching in PSHE, RSHE and RE. However, it
is also implicit and woven into everything we do from citizenship to our school values.

At Rydon, we use the PSHE Association resource across the whole school. This brings together PSHE
Education, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development. Our curriculum is a
whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme at the same time.