Personal Development

Personal Development is at the heart of Brierley School and is reflected in our ethos and school vision.

"Though we are many we are one body, together we learn and grow"

At Brierley School we want our children to aspire to achieve and believe that it is essential that they understand the world they live in. Broadening our children’s horizons and giving them the belief that they are capable of achieving great things, drives our curriculum. Our Personal Development Curriculum offer gives the children the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed choices and to be a positive influence in the communities that they belong to. 

Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world, highly influenced by technology. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also includes challenges and risks. Therefore, it is vital that children and young people know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.

Our aim at Brierley School is to develop skills and attributes through our curriculum, such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team-working and critical thinking, so that children leave Brierley School prepared for the next phase of their lives.

BEING HEALTHY

Mental and physical health are vital aspects of development for both children and adults. At Brierley School the children learn about the importance of being physically active through our P.E curriculum, inter schools competitions and science curriculum. They have access to equipment at playtimes and lunchtimes and our playground leaders show the children how to use this correctly and safely.

In D.T and Science lessons, the children learn about making healthy food choices and have opportunities to plan and make healthy meals. Our school kitchen staff promote healthy eating by supporting the "Eat them to defeat them" campaigns.

We have a team of mental health first aiders; Mrs Holroyd, Miss Bretton and Mrs Sapey who are trained to support both children and adults with their mental wellbeing. The children take part in mindfulness activities, yoga and wellbeing lessons to learn techniques to support and develop their mental health.

We are very proud of our peace garden, where the children and staff can go if they need a quiet space or time for reflection.

The children learn from an early age that looking after their mental wellbeing and having good mental health is just as important as their physical health.

CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship is carefully woven through our PSHE curriculum. It develops the knowledge, skills and understanding that children need in order to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens, who have a positive impact on their local and wider community.

Children are encouraged to take part in courageous advocacy activities, focusing on projects that are meaningful to them.

British Values are an important part of being a good citizen and the children are taught about the Brisitsh Values, what they mean and how they can live by them alongside our Christian Values. Teachers make purposeful links to the British Values in their lessons rather than stand alone lessons, so that the children learn that they are embedded into their curriculum.

CAREERS

At Brierley we celebrate different careers and the important roles that people have in society. Through our careers day, the children share their knowledge of different careers, learn about jobs that family members have and think about what they would like to be in the future. Each child completes a careers questionnaire, thinking of their two most favoured careers. The answers are collated and future visitors organised so that the children can meet and speak to people who have varying roles within their locality.

Some children completed their own CV so that they could think about their personal skills and what they could be used for.

Children are given roles in school so that they can experience being responsible for tasks. These include playground leaders, school counsellors and subject ambassadors. Staff work with the children to prepare them for the roles that they have been given, which the children can then go on to lead with confidence. These roles are chosen using a voting system so that the process is fair.

TRANSITION

Transition is a very important part of the school year where teachers plan activities that will make the children feel at ease when moving onto their next stage.

Our EYFS staff meet with the children and families who will be joining us in September, visit their nurseries and in turn, they visit Brierley School, so that they are ready for starting in the new academic year. This makes sure that the children have a positive start to their Brierley School experience.

Each year group has well planned transition visits to their new class at the end of the summer term, where they get to meet their new teacher and become familiar with the new classroom and routines.

The Year 6 children are visited by the staff of their new schools and also have a transition day where they visit their chosen school, take part in lessons and meet the staff.

Some children may need additional transition visits, which are arranged to meet the needs of each child on a individual basis.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are essential components of a healthy school culture and underpin every element of school life here at Brierley. Children are taught about the importance of respecting and welcoming everyone into our school from day one of their journey. Through stories, experiences and discrete lessons, the children are taught to celebrate differences in beliefs, values, appearance, gender and abilities.

In Religious Education, Geography and PSHE lessons, the children learn about different religions and the beliefs and traditions associated with cultures around the world. In daily worship, they are encouraged to be accepting of others who may have apposing views to them. Classes regularly hold debates and discussions where the children are taught how to respectfully agree or disagree with their peers if they have a differing opinion. This is also encouraged as part of our oracy work, giving the children confidence to speak in class as individuals or as part of a group.

Each subject in school has subject ambassadors who are chosen to represent a certain subject. These children are carefully chosen so that a range of diversities are represented within school.

Our P.E lead ensures that children from all backgrounds, genders and abilities are chosen to represent the school in sports competitions so that all children have the opportunity to take part.

Our extra-curriular offer, including after school clubs, music tuition and trips, is fully inclusive and planned so that all children can take part.

We pride ourselves on our Brierley School Pledge, where the children are given the opportunity throughout their school life to participate in a wide range of activities that will broaden their experiences. The 43 promises are linked to education, citizenship, curriculum enrichment and personal development, which the children will experience within their time at Brierley School.

RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES

The staff and children at Brierley often describe our church school as a family and visitors regularly comment on how it feels very welcoming and that the ethos shines through. We endeavour to ensure that we maintain this "family" experience as the children grow together through their school life.

This is carefully planned for through our PSHE curriculum, where the children learn about different relationships that they have in their lives, with friends, peers and within families. They are given opportunities to explore different family units and are taught that families are all very different and unique. Through stories, video clips and shared experiences, the children can learn about the different ways that families are organised, which in turn helps them to be understanding and welcoming of others.

High schools often comment that they can identify which children attend Brierley School on the transition day visit, as they are polite, knowledgeable and kind children. This is a credit to the children and their families who are all part of the Brierley Family.

BEING SAFE

Safety is paramount for all our children and they are taught from EYFS through to Year 6 about how to be safe in all areas of their lives. Through the PSHE, Science and R.E curriculum, the children learn how to be safe online, in school, in the locality and how to keep themselves safe from danger. This includes stranger danger, road safety, technology and media, county lines, peer pressure, the dangers around medicines and drugs and basic first aid.

A half termly newsletter is prepared for each class outlining the coverage of these areas.

To further promote being safe, we have visitors to school who speak to the children about being safe, and Compass Be workshops for classes and groups of children who have particular needs or worries around safety.

ECONOMIC WELLBEING

Through our PSHE, D.T and maths curriculum, the children learn how to understand their feelings about money, financial decisions, careers and the economy, which is a vital part of preparing them for adult life. Throughout the year, the children take part in preparing for activities held in school such as the Summer and Christmas fairs. This provides each class with the opportunity to plan, design, cost and make goods to be sold to families and friends who attend these fun events. Each class calculates the amount of profit that they make, so that they understand the whole process in a fun and engaging way. These are very well attended and help to develop childrens' understanding of the value of money.