Personal Development
What is personal development?
A wide range of additional opportunities enrich learning taught in Early Years and through the National Curriculum. Our core values 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 Viking.
Clubs
Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum and includes a wide range of experiences and opportunities within and beyond the school day. Our 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, choir, and others, ranging from Science club to Construction club, Art club to Cooking club.
Trips and visits
Trips and visits take place throughout the school year, in all year groups linked to our learning challenges. If appropriate we also invite external speakers to deliver talks and workshops.
Assembly programme
A programme of assemblies based on our rights respecting ethos 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 rights & values assemblies, each term pupils also take part in:
- safeguarding assemblies,
- celebration assemblies
- JTA and School council assemblies (these groups plan and deliver their own assemblies)
PE & Sport competition and healthy lifestyles
We provide pupils with a wide range of PE & Sport opportunities beyond the school day including gymnastic and football clubs. We also try to provide pupils opportunities to participate in tournaments and competitions with local schools.
Music
Pupils take part in a wide range of musical activities as part of the National Curriculum and beyond. Year 5 have the opportunity to learn an instrument for the whole year. Pupils are also invited to attend a choir club.
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.
All Pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 get the opportunity to experience Forest School and our pupils in our Nursery and Reception have regular access to their own garden areas.
Pupils as Leaders
Pupils have many opportunities to become a leader in school. These include elected School Council representatives, Year 6 prefects (who need to complete an application, interview and sign a contract) and JTA (Junior Travel Ambassadors). Responsibilities include working/ supporting in the playground, library, reading with younger children, school office etc.