Personal Development Overview
Ellesmere Park prides itself on offering students a rounded education; as well as promoting high academic standards, we aim to ensure that all students, of all backgrounds and abilities have the opportunity to develop and grow as rounded individuals. Our staff are dedicated to helping your child flourish and become the best version of themselves.
We want all our students, no matter what their background or previous social and academic experience, to leave school as qualified, resilient, independent and confident young adults, ready to make a highly positive contribution to their community and wider society.
In a rapidly changing world. Our staff are committed to nurturing students who show adaptability and resilience, alongside demonstrating respect, kindness and tolerance of people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds.
Our Personal Development offer is made up of the following:
- Personal Development Curriculum
- The Wider-Curriculum
- Student Enrichment
- Student Leadership
- Careers Education, Information and Guidance (CEIAG)
- Form time
- Assemblies
- LEARN and CREDIT System
Personal Development enables students to develop their Cultural Capital by having opportunities to try new activities, develop new or existing talents, skills and interests and to develop their confidence and character by taking on leadership opportunities.
The activities they can experience will contribute to our curriculum aims to “equip every child with the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities in order to reach the limits of their capability, regardless of their background, additional needs, experience or social privilege” so students “achieve success now and in the next phase of their education and life; making a positive contribution to their community and to society.”
The Personal Development Curriculum at EPHS is underpinned by the core values of Consilium Academies. We ensure these core values are at the heart of all we do.
Personal Development Curriculum
All Key Stage 3 students take part in a fortnightly Personal Development lesson and all Key Stage 4 students take part in a weekly Personal Development lesson. The ambition of the Personal Development Curriculum is:
Holistically educating our learners for life so that they are able to leave Ellesmere Park as well-rounded members of the community and active citizens of modern-day Britain. Three core themes:
- Health and Wellbeing
Focusses on health, hygiene, exercise, mental health, personal safety, drugs and alcohol. - Relationships
Focusses on sex, relationships, friends and family matters, LGBT+, positive and unhealthy relationships. - Living in the Wider World
Focusses on careers, personal finance, independent living, skills for life and personal values.
The Personal Development curriculum page maps the topics covered and shows how topics spiral to build on prior knowledge in an age-appropriate way.
Wider-Curricular Offer
Throughout the year there will be a wide range of opportunities for students to take part in outside of curriculum lessons. We encourage all students to take part in the many wider-curricular opportunities on offer. As a school we track the take-up of these activities to ensure equity of access and staff will encourage all children to seek out these opportunities. The ambition is to use this tracking data alongside pupil voice to monitor trends for individual or groups of students to ensure it is fit for purpose and in-line with student interests.
The wider curricular offer gives students opportunities to develop their interests and skills and to spend time with their peers outside the classroom in structured activities that build character and cultural capital. The wider curriculum includes enrichment opportunities, trips and visits, sporting activities, after-school clubs and leadership opportunities.
Careers Education Information and Guidance
Our Careers Information and Guidance programme gives students opportunities to see the wider world and develop their knowledge and experiences to support their decisions in life. Students receive a balance of academic and technical advice and guidance. It is a programme that is informed by the local labour market and responds flexibly to the needs of the students and the opportunities available to guide and support students in shaping their own ambitious futures. We give students the opportunity to speak to employers from a range of sectors and work closely with the Careers and Enterprise Company, GM Higher, local providers and colleges. We encourage and welcome visitors to our school on a regular basis.
Form Time and Assemblies
Form time at Ellesmere Park High School is a structured and purposeful part of the school day. It provides students with opportunities to engage in activities that support their academic progress, personal development, and a sense of belonging within the school community.
The programme encompasses:
Assemblies: Assemblies will provide a platform for sharing key messages, reinforcing school values, celebrating success, and reflecting on wider issues that shape our community.
Personal Development: These sessions are designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills for life beyond the classroom.
Literacy Development: A core focus of form time, literacy activities to help to strengthen students’ reading, writing, and communication skills, which underpin success across the curriculum.
National and Awareness days: These occasions provide valuable opportunities for students to consider and discuss significant events, themes, and issues at a national and global level, encouraging empathy, respect, and social awareness.
Form time ensures that all students begin and end the day with a clear sense of purpose, whilst also fostering personal growth, academic ambition, and responsibility as members of both Ellesmere Park High School and the wider community.
L.E.A.R.N & C.R.E.D.I.T
We expect all our students to be engaged in their learning in every lesson. During every lesson we follow the L.E.A.R.N classroom expectations to enable students to be the best they can be. To go alongside L.E.A.R.N we need to ensure we are rewarding students for their fantastic attitudes, work ethic and contribution to life at EPHS The C.R.E.D.I.T rewards system allows us to reward and monitor students positivity.
All students are expected to:
All students are rewarded for:
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C onfidence |
Answering questions and proposing ideas, whether they are right or wrong. |
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R espect |
Being polite and having good manners. Supporting other students with their learning or helping teachers with jobs. |
|
E nhance |
Improving grades, or having consistent good grades. Producing high quality classwork and homework. |
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Dtermination |
Not giving up when given a hard task. Being resilient. |
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Independence |
Showing initiative and doing things which are independent (e.g. learning, extracurricular activities, extra homework) |
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T eamwork |
Showing that students can work well in teams successfully in a functional way. This may include group classwork and group presentations. |