Personal Development Curriculum

The ECS Personal Development Curriculum refers to the planned programme of activities which takes place during assemblies and tutor times.

The aim of the PDC is provide opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes students need to manage their lives now and in the future. The themes of the PDC have been selected to support students to stay safe, healthy and happy, prepare them for life and work in school and their communities as responsible members of society.

The PDC is planned to complement other aspects of Pastoral support and PSHE Education lessons.  During tutor times tutors support students to feel confident to articulate their feelings, develop empathy and understanding and develop the communication skills needed to be able to do this. PDC session provides opportunities for tutor to get to know their tutor group and support them in developing resilience, self-esteem, critical thinking, reflect on progress and set targets.

The PDC themes are as outlined below. Students in all year groups focus on one of these a day each week during tutor time.

• News and current affairs
• Five ways of well-being
• Life-long learning
• Citizenship – Rights and British Values

News and current affairs

 Students will discuss current local, national and world events in their tutor groups to give them an understanding of what’s happening in the wider world, how it might impact them and their communities and develop a, understanding of global Citizenship. Activities include watching and discussing extracts of the news planned by tutors. Students are guided through learning opportunities which support them to identify reliable sources of information, identify fake news and. As part of this theme tutor groups are also encouraged to discuss school news, providing opportunities for School Council reps to share discussions from School Council meetings and gather new agenda ideas.

Five Ways of Well-being

At ECS we recognise the importance of good physical and mental health in supporting student well-being and learning. Outlined below are the Five Ways of Well-being and the reasons why these are important for student well-being.

1. Connect with other people

Good relationships are important for mental well-being. They can:

- help us to build a sense of belonging and self-worth

- give us an opportunity to share positive experiences

- provide emotional support and allow us to support others

2. Be physically active

Being active is not only great for our physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve our mental wellbeing by:

- raising our self-esteem

- helping us to set goals or challenges and achieve them

- causing chemical changes in our brains which can help to positively change our mood

3. Learn new skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve our mental wellbeing by:

-boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem

-helping us to build a sense of purpose

-helping us to connect with others

4. Give to others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve our mental wellbeing by:

-creating positive feelings and a sense of reward

-giving us a feeling of purpose and self-worth

-helping us connect with other people

5. Taking Notice

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve our mental well-being. This includes our thoughts and feelings, our body and the world around us.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. It can positively change the way we feel about life and how we approach challenges.

This year we are also focusing on health and well-being priorities that were highlighted from the Health and well-being survey completed by ECS students last year.

Life - Long Learning

During this theme students participate in a range of activities which equip them with the skills and attributes needed for life- long learning and future careers. Over the course of the years students will develop a better understanding of study skills, careers and how to plan for them and the importance of the ECS Character attributes

Study skills- Tutors support students to understand a range of study skills which will develop them into successful independent learners. These activities have been planned to explore a range of learning activities which can support revision and exam preparation.

Careers – Students are signposted to a range of sources of support and information to support career exploration and planning.

Character attributes – Students are encouraged to consider the importance of the ECS Character attributes in helping them to thrive personally, in their communities and in the workplace. The ECS Character attributes are Respect, Dignity, Working with others, Helping others, Patience, Determination, Ambition, Saving for the future, Creative Thinking and Courage.

Citizenship – Human Rights and British Values

Through the PDC we aim to develop the knowledge skills and understanding that students need to play a full and active role in a democratic society and active and informed citizenship. Students will learn about human rights, democracy, justice, the law, identities and diversity. Students learn about rights, through rights and for rights as part of our commitment to being a Rights Respecting School. Students are given opportunities to consider how the Rights of a Child and other Human Rights Frameworks apply to their lives and the world around us.