Introduction to Personal Development
The Personal Development of our students lies at the very heart of our mission and values. Our provision is exceptional with a high-quality, carefully designed curriculum that reaches far beyond academic and vocational learning. Students benefit from a truly holistic education, flourishing both within and beyond the classroom through an extensive range of enriching opportunities. As an inclusive and high-achieving Catholic school, we are deeply committed to nurturing the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural growth of every student, ensuring they develop into compassionate, confident, and well-rounded individuals ready to make a positive difference in the world.
The Taught Curriculum – Friday P1
All students in Years 7 to 13 receive weekly Personal Development lessons on a Friday morning. The Personal Development curriculum at KS3 and KS4 covers six topics each year. These topics are taught at an age-appropriate level, which covers all statutory guidance and lessons are delivered by Form Tutors who we feel know the students best and are best placed to deliver and explore such sensitive topics. The six topics covered each year are:
- Rights, Responsibilities and British Values
- Celebrating Diversity and Equality
- Relationships and Sex Education
- Staying Safe, Online and Offline
- Health and Wellbeing
- Building Your Future (CEIAG)
Please see below for each year group’s bespoke Personal Development Curriculum:
Weekly Assemblies
Weekly assemblies provide students with the opportunity to come together as a community, reflecting on the theme of the week that supports their personal, spiritual, and moral development. Assemblies link closely to the school’s mission and calendar of events, helping students to explore current issues, celebrate achievements, and consider how they can live out the values of faith, joy, and love in their daily lives.
Thoughts & Prayers
Our weekly Thoughts and Prayers allow students to pause, reflect, and engage spiritually in a calm and purposeful environment. These moments of reflection encourage gratitude, compassion, and mindfulness, strengthening the sense of belonging and shared faith that runs through every aspect of school life.
The school’s ethos inspires our work at periods of time such as Advent and Lent, with the central Gospel message of ‘love your neighbour’ at heart of students’ development. Students are inspired by the behaviours modelled to them by our staff team who live this out in their daily care for students and one another. The school’s ethos is built around our genuine belief that all students are unique, with their own God-given gifts and talents. Everyone’s uniqueness is celebrated. St Mary’s is blessed to have students and staff from range of faith, ethic, socio-eco backgrounds, as well as from different genders, sexual orientations and SEND. The school is proud to celebrate our diversity.
Enrichment Opportunities
Students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Whether through clubs, leadership roles, creative arts, sports, or community involvement, our enrichment programme enables students to develop confidence, teamwork, and resilience while discovering new talents and interests.
Wider Curriculum Timetable
The Wider Curriculum Timetable ensures that every student experiences a rich and varied programme of learning designed to enhance their personal growth. This includes dedicated time for personal development, careers education, and wider enrichment activities, supporting students in becoming well-rounded, confident, and responsible young people. Students are offered a vast range of wider opportunities including subject clubs and extra-curricular clubs, music ensembles/choirs, sports teams and clubs, art/drama enrichment, educational visits and residential trips. All of our students take part in fundraising events and acts of service throughout the school year. Our Sixth Form students participate in the Sixth Form Leadership Scheme in which they all provide service to our wider community by participating and leading in different areas of school life.
Careers, Education, Information & Guidance (CEIAG)
Our comprehensive Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance programme prepares students for life beyond school. Through engaging lessons, employer encounters, workshops, and one-to-one guidance, students are supported to make informed choices about their futures and to develop the skills and aspirations needed to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Students across all year groups receive high quality careers education, information and guidance allowing them to successfully progress in the next stage of their educational/employment. Students understand the range of career and education opportunities available to them and what they need to achieve to succeed. They are given opportunities to encounter different careers and employers at our yearly career fair. From Year 7, they explore and develop the skills needed for the world of work and further education such as communication skills and teamwork skills. Sixth Form students receive excellent support with the UCAS process, apprenticeships and work placements. Further information regarding CEIAG can be found in the Careers section of the website.
