Opportunities for Personal Development

At Southey Green Primary School, we believe that personal development is essential in helping every child grow into a well-rounded, confident and compassionate individual. Our curriculum is designed to support pupils in becoming Ready to Learn, Respectful to All and Responsible for Ourselves. These values drive the heart of our school vision.

Ready: We prepare our pupils to embrace learning with curiosity, confidence and resilience. Through targeted support and enrichment, we help children develop the skills and mindset needed to face challenges, set goals, and pursue their aspirations.

Respectful: We foster a culture of kindness, empathy and mutual respect. Pupils learn to value diversity, build positive relationships and contribute to a harmonious school community. Our curriculum promotes emotional literacy, active listening and respectful dialogue.

Responsible: We empower pupils to make thoughtful choices and take ownership of their actions. Through opportunities for leadership, citizenship and community engagement. Children learn to care for themselves, others and the world around them. We encourage responsible digital behaviour, environmental awareness and ethical decision-making.

Our vision is to ensure that every child leaves Southey Green not only with strong academic foundations, but also prepared for life beyond primary school —Ready to Learn, Respectful to All, and Responsible for Ourselves.

Southey Super Six - Inspiring Experiences for Every Child

At Southey Green, we believe that education should spark curiosity, build confidence and create unforgettable moments. That’s why we’ve developed the Southey Super Six — a unique set of aspirational experiences tailored to enrich every child’s learning journey.

Each year group enjoys six carefully chosen activities, each linked to one of our six key areas:

  • STEM
  • Outdoor Learning
  • Personal Development
  • The Wider Curriculum
  • Creativity
  • Enrichment

These experiences aren’t just exciting milestones to look forward to — they’re powerful opportunities to build cultural capital, broaden horizons and nurture skills that support academic success and personal growth. From exploring nature to unleashing creativity, the Super Six helps shape confident, well-rounded learners ready for the future.

Take a look at just some of the incredible experiences our children enjoy as part of the Southey Super Six—a unique approach that brings learning to life and makes every day unforgettable.

Year 6 - Learning Straight from the Heart

Our Year 6 scientists took their learning to the next level as they explored the circulatory system in a truly unforgettable way—by dissecting a real heart! This hands-on investigation gave pupils the chance to see the incredible structures they’ve been studying in class, from the chambers and valves to the major blood vessels that keep our bodies alive. The session was full of curiosity and excitement as children worked like real biologists, asking questions, making observations and deepening their understanding of how the heart powers the human body. It’s science in action—messy, fascinating and inspiring!

Year 4 - Become an Anglo Saxon

Year 4 stepped back in time for an unforgettable Anglo-Saxon and Viking Day with none other than Owald the Anglo-Saxon! The classroom was transformed into a world of longships, shields and sagas as pupils discovered what life was really like in the Dark Ages. Children dressed the part, handled authentic replica artefacts and learned the secrets of Viking warriors and Anglo-Saxon settlers. Olaf brought history to life with thrilling tales, fascinating facts and hands-on activities that had everyone hooked from start to finish. From crafting runes to exploring Viking battle tactics, the day was packed with excitement, laughter and learning. Year 4 didn’t just study history—they lived it!

Promoting British Values at Southey Green Primary

The Department for Education states that there is a need:

“to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

In line with the with the Department for Education’s five-part definition, we promote the following British values

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

What does this mean for my child?

At Southey Green Primary, our efforts to promote fundamental British values are designed to prepare children for life in modern Britain.

Ultimately, we aim to help pupils understand:

  • The importance of combatting discrimination
  • How we can influence decision-making by taking part in democratic processes like voting and petitioning
  • Our freedom under British law to choose different faiths and beliefs
  • That the law is there to keep us safe

We teach our children these values through the curriculum and varied daily interactions to ensure that they understand British Values and how they link to Southey Green Primary School’s values. Here are some examples of when British values are shared:

Democracy

Democracy is the essence of our modern community. The ability to understand and communicate are the most important areas of learning. Furthermore, children should be able to develop an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process.

  • Jigsaw class charter agreed by all pupils in PSHE/Jigsaw sessions
  • Southey Green Primary Core Values, which is at the heart of everything we do.
  • School Council which meets regularly to discuss issues raised by other pupils.
  • Annual pupil questionnaires where they are able to put forward their views about the school.

The Rule of Law

An important part of British values is the understanding that any society or community can only work well, and protect all its members, if there are rules which everyone is expected to follow.  The importance of laws, whether they be those that govern the class, the school, or the country, are consistently reinforced at Southey Green Primary.

Pupils are taught from an early age the values of the school.

  • School, class charter and playground rules
  • Behaviour and achievement system with specified, clear consequences that are enforced fairly and equally throughout the school when rules are broken
  • Visits from authorities such as Police and Fire and services
  • Celebration assemblies 
  • Crucial Crew visit in Y6, role play activities involving Police, Fire service and Magistrates Court

 

Individual Liberty

At Southey Green Primary School, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for young pupils to make informed choices, through a safe environment and an empowering education. Pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely.

  • Online Safety
  • PSHE / Jigsaw lessons.
  • P4C lessons
  • PSHE regarding making sensible decisions
  • Responsibility and undertaking of key school roles
  • Through choice of challenge within classrooms

Mutual Respect

Children are taught to respect and value others, whether they hold the same views as they do, or exhibit the same behaviours as they do, or not.  Mutual respect is at the heart of our values. Children learn that their behaviours have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect.

  • Celebration assemblies
  • Learner of the day/week, class
  • Celebration of achievement outside the school – e.g. Children’s University
  •  PSHE and RE study enriches children’s understanding of mutual respect
  • Wide nature of the curriculum allows for focus upon celebrating and investigating different cultural histories and approaches

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Children are taught that everyone has a right to their own belief and to practice their own religion, as long as they are not stopping others from doing the same.  At Southey Green Primary, we actively promote diversity through our celebrations of different faiths and cultures. Religious Education lessons and PSHE/Jigsaw lessons reinforce messages of tolerance and respect for others. Members of different faiths and religions are encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning within classes and the school.

• Assemblies

• ‘Philosophy for Children’ sessions

• Understanding of racism and the impact of racist comments

• Bullying discussed and understood through PSHE/Jigsaw sessions

• Curriculum learning through RE and PSHE/Jigsaw

• Links to other schools

• External visitors who share information about different faiths and beliefs

• Visiting vicars – Carol Service

SMSC in school aims to promote British Values through:

  • Learning how to apply these values in life
  • Understanding the difference between right and wrong
  • Becoming lawful citizens
  • Developing skills so that pupils can contribute fully to the British way of life
  • Understanding and respecting the range of different cultures in / beyond school

Promoting British Values through PSHE (Jigsaw) and RE (Jigsaw RE) agenda very significantly, both through the direct teaching of information and through the experiential learning children will enjoy.

The 5 strands of the British Values agenda have been mapped across every Puzzle and every Piece  (lesson) and throughout each key theme in RE. 

We link our whole school assemblies to the Jigsaw Themes and Values being taught and applied through the PSHE curriculum. We are proud of the way we promote emotional wellbeing for all our pupils through our Jigsaw programme which underpins the whole of our curriculum.

Understanding and knowledge expected of our pupils as a result of promoting fundamental British values:

  • an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process; 
  • an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety; 
  • an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law; 
  • an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and 
  • an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.

Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural Development 
 

At Southey Green Primary School we pride ourselves on how we promote pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. All National Curriculum subjects provide opportunities to promote pupil’s development as well as explicit opportunities in Religious Education, Personal, Social Health Education (PSHE) and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE). A significant contribution is also made by the school ethos, values, wider curriculum activities, assemblies and trips and visits.
 

Spiritual Development

Children’s spiritual development involves the growth of their sense of self, unique potential, their understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and their will to achieve. As their curiosity about themselves and their place in the world increases. Children try to answer for themselves some of life’s fundamental questions. The develop the knowledge, skills and understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to foster their own inner lives.
 

Moral Development

Moral development involves children acquiring an understanding of the difference between right and wrong of a moral conflict, a concern for others and the will to do what is right. They are able and willing to reflect on the consequences of their actions and learn how to give forgiven themselves and others. They develop the knowledge, skills and understanding, qualities and attitudes they need in order to make responsible moral decisions and act on them.
 

Social Development

Social development involves children acquiring an understanding of the responsibilities and rights of being members of families and communities (locally and nationally). They have an ability to relate to other and to work alongside side them in a way with benefits all. Children display a sense of belonging and an increasing willingness to participate. They develop knowledge, skills, understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to become active citizens within their community.
 

Cultural Development

Cultural Development involves children gaining an understanding of cultural traditions and heritage and the ability to appreciate and respond to ‘the arts’. The children will respect their own cultures and that of others. They will appreciate the interests of others and be curious about differences. They develop the knowledge, skills, understanding, qualities and attitudes they need to understand, appreciate and contribute to different cultures.

 

The spiritual development of pupils:

 

  • Reflection time: assembly
  • Assemblies
  • Whole school art gallery (Christmas fayre) 
  • Visitors, trips
  • Core values 
  • P4C enquiries
  • RE curriculum
  • Promoting teaching styles which –

-Value pupils’ questions and give them space for their own thoughts, ideas and concerns

-Enable pupils to make connections between aspects of their learning

-Encouraging pupils to relate their learning to a wider frame of reference – for example, asking ‘why?’, ‘how?’ and ‘where?’ as well as ‘what?

  • Christmas service
  • RE assemblies linked to local church

 

The moral development of pupils:

  • Behaviour policy
  • Postcards home
  • Playground Buddies
  • School’s core values
  • P4C sessions
  • School Council - democracy
  • SEAL assemblies
  • Friendship week – anti bullying
  • PSHE curriculum 
  • Crucial Crew – magistrates court – justice system
  • Fundraising: Christmas jumper day, whole school art gallery, Christmas fayre, Teddy Bear’s picnic (cancer research), wear red day  (BHF)
  • Residentials
  • Sleep over
  • Pupil questionnaires
  • Class rules
  • Childline assemblies
  • Online Safety
  • British, St George’s day and Shakespeare work.

 

The social development of pupils:

  • P4C sessions
  • Election process – School Council and Eco-Warriers
  • School council
  • Assemblies
  • Children’s University
  • After school clubs
  • Parental Workshops
  • Health and well-being team
  • School nurse
  • Singing in care homes
  • Y6 Celebration Day
  • School trips and visits
  • Inclusion team

 

The cultural development of pupils:

  • School Council election
  • Celebration of Current Events (e.g. World Cup, Olympics, Royal weddings and births)
  • Celebration Assemblies
  • RE lessons and themed assemblies
  • P4C
  • Jigsaw lessons
  • Linking Schools (secondary)
  • Recognition of important religious festivals such as Eid, Chinese New Year, Diwali
  • Art – artist focus
  • Educational trips and visits
  • Music
  • School Ethos
  • Exploring other countries through topic work
  • Food tasting and themed lunches (e.g. Chinese New Year lunch)
  • Participation in fund raising activities
  • Inter-school events
  • Assemblies (celebrating music, art etc.)
  • Theatre trips
  • Music choir & Young Voices

 

 

SMSC and PSHE

 

Our PSHE curriculum is delivered through the Jigsaw scheme of work. This provides a structured programme of personal development to nurture the ‘whole child’ and increase learning capacity, underpinned by mindfulness philosophy and practice.

Every Jigsaw lesson from Foundation Stage 2 to Year 6 offers opportunities for children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development and this is clearly mapped and balanced across each year group.

Likewise, Jigsaw is designed to provide structured opportunities in every lesson to practise and enhance the five skills associated with the emotional literacy (self-awareness, social skills, empathy, motivation and managing feelings). At Southey Green Primary, we believe that these opportunities are vital for children’s development, their understanding of themselves and others and in increasing their capacity to learn.