Personal development in our academy is all about helping each child grow into the best version of themselves! It's about nurturing their unique qualities, building their confidence and self-esteem, and helping them understand their feelings and how to manage them. We focus on developing important life skills like kindness, respect, resilience, and how to work well with others. Through personal development, children learn about themselves, their relationships, and how to make positive choices, preparing them to be happy, healthy, and responsible members of our community and the wider world.

Intent

At LAPW, we foster a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child is empowered to develop their unique potential and become a well-rounded, responsible, and self-aware individual. We will encourage children to understand and value their own identity, strengths, and areas for growth, fostering a positive self-image and a sense of belonging.

We will equip children with the skills to recognise, understand, manage, and express their emotions effectively, promoting their mental and emotional well-being and building resilience. We will develop the children's ability to build positive relationships, communicate effectively, collaborate respectfully, and understand diverse perspectives. We aim to empower children to take ownership of their learning and actions, fostering a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their peers, their community, and the environment. We will encourage children to develop a strong sense of fairness, justice, and empathy, enabling them to make ethical choices and contribute positively to the world around them. We aim to cultivate a belief in their ability to learn and grow, encouraging perseverance, curiosity, and a love for lifelong learning. Through transdisciplinary learning experiences, inquiry-based investigations, and explicit teaching, we aim to support each child in becoming a confident, compassionate, and contributing member of our global community.

This intent statement directly aligns with the attributes of the IB Learner Profile, encouraging children to become inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced, and reflective. The development of self-management, social, communication, thinking, and research skills are integral to this intent. Personal development is woven throughout all six transdisciplinary themes, providing meaningful contexts for exploration and growth. We aim to empower children to take meaningful action as a result of their personal development learning. This serves as a guiding principle for all aspects of personal development within our academy, ensuring that we are actively nurturing the holistic growth of each child.

Implementation

We believe that personal development is integral to the holistic education of all our children, aligning directly with the philosophy and practices of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). We are committed to fostering the growth of each child as a well-rounded individual who is principled, open-minded, caring, and reflective, equipped with the skills and attitudes necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. This implementation statement outlines our commitment to nurturing personal development across all aspects of the curriculum and academy life.

We empower children to take ownership of their learning and personal growth through self-reflection, goal setting, and active participation in decision-making processes. We provide opportunities for children to explore their identities, values, and beliefs through meaningful inquiry into the world around them. We facilitate the development of key concepts such as identity, relationships, responsibility, and well-being, enabling children to make connections and deepen their understanding of themselves and others. We explicitly promote the IB Learner Profile Attributes and PYP attitudes through classroom practices, discussions, and role-modelling. We integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into our daily routines and curriculum, focusing on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. We foster a collaborative and communicative environment where children can share their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives respectfully, building strong relationships and a sense of belonging. We prioritise the physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being of our children, providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. We recognise the crucial role of parents and carers in supporting their child's personal development and actively seek their collaboration through open communication and involvement in academy life.

Personal development will be explicitly and implicitly integrated into the transdisciplinary themes and Units of Inquiry. Opportunities will be provided for children to explore concepts related to identity, culture, human rights, social justice, and environmental responsibility. The IB Learner Profile Attributes will be explicitly taught, discussed, and celebrated within the classroom and across the academy. Children will be encouraged to reflect on how they are demonstrating these attributes in their learning and interactions. The PYP attitudes will be explicitly fostered through classroom routines, activities, and teacher modelling. Children will be encouraged to understand and demonstrate these attitudes in their daily lives. Positive and inclusive classroom management strategies will be implemented to create a supportive and respectful learning environment where children feel safe to take risks and express themselves. We will provide opportunities for child voice and agency in their learning and academy activities, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. Children will be guided in regular self-reflection on their learning, personal growth, and development of the Learner Profile Attributes. They will be supported in setting personal and academic goals. Collaborative learning activities and opportunities for positive peer interactions will be facilitated to develop social skills, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives. Academy assemblies, positive house points and events will be used to celebrate children’s achievements, promote positive values, and raise awareness of important social and ethical issues. A strong pastoral care system will be in place to provide support and guidance to children facing personal challenges. This includes designated staff members and clear referral pathways. Regular communication with parents/carers will keep them informed about their child's personal development. Opportunities for parent/carer involvement in academy activities and workshops related to personal development will be provided. Ongoing professional development will be provided for all staff members to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to effectively support the children’s personal development within the curriculum.

The implementation of this personal development statement will be regularly monitored and reviewed through:

Teacher observations and reflections.
Children’s self-assessments and reflections.
Analysis of children’s work and interactions.
Feedback from children, parents/carers, and staff.
Regular review of academy policies and practices.

This ongoing process of reflection and review will ensure that our approach to personal development remains responsive to the needs of our children and aligned with the evolving best practices within our curriculum.

By actively implementing this statement, LAPW is committed to nurturing confident, responsible, and compassionate individuals who are well-prepared to contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.

Impact

At LAPW, our commitment to the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is intertwined with a robust and intentional approach to personal development. We believe that nurturing the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical well-being of each child is fundamental to their success as learners and as engaged, responsible global citizens. Our personal development initiatives, embedded within the transdisciplinary themes and underpinned by the IB Learner Profile, have a significant and positive impact on our children.

Children develop a stronger sense of self, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs. This self-awareness empowers them to make informed choices and take ownership of their learning and actions. Through explicit teaching and opportunities for reflection, children become more metacognitive, understanding how they learn best and developing strategies for self-regulation and goal setting. They develop a sense of agency, recognising their capacity to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others, fostering initiative and a proactive approach to learning and problem-solving.

Our curriculum explicitly teaches social skills, empathy, and perspective-taking, enabling children to build positive relationships and collaborate effectively with their peers and teachers. Children develop emotional literacy, learning to identify, understand, and manage their own emotions and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. This fosters resilience, self-control, and a positive learning environment. Through opportunities for teamwork, conflict resolution, and service learning, children develop a strong sense of community and learn to appreciate diverse perspectives, contributing to a more inclusive and harmonious academy culture.

Aligned with the PYP's emphasis on international-mindedness, personal development fosters an understanding of global issues and encourages children to consider their roles and responsibilities as members of a global community. Children develop critical thinking skills and ethical reasoning, enabling them to make informed decisions and take responsible action on local and global issues. Through inquiry-based learning and opportunities for service, children develop empathy and a commitment to social justice, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Personal development initiatives encourage a growth mindset, where children understand that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Children learn to view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, developing resilience and perseverance in the face of setbacks. By celebrating effort and learning from mistakes, we create a safe and supportive environment where children feel empowered to take risks and embrace new challenges.

Our personal development curriculum addresses physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well-being, promoting healthy habits and a balanced lifestyle. Children develop an understanding of the importance of mental health and well-being, learning strategies for self-care and seeking support when needed. By fostering a positive and supportive academy climate, we create an environment where all children feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

In conclusion, our commitment to personal development within our curriculum has a profound and multifaceted impact on our children. It equips them with the essential skills, attitudes, and knowledge to become self-aware, socially responsible, and engaged lifelong learners who are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the 21st century and contribute positively to their communities and the wider world.

What we do at LAPW...

We empower our children to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally through a rich tapestry of initiatives. Our dedicated Wellbeing Champions play a crucial role in promoting positive mental health across the school, while our commitment to Skills Builder ensures children explicitly learn and apply essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity in all aspects of their learning. We also provide vital external support through access to NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust) for mental health and emotional well-being, complementing the invaluable work of our incredible Pastoral Team who offer a consistent and nurturing presence for every child. Positive behaviour is celebrated through our Positive Behaviour Points system, fostering a supportive and respectful environment. Strong interpersonal skills and a sense of belonging are further developed through our vibrant House Teams and the democratic voice of our School Council. A wide array of clubs offers opportunities for children to explore passions, develop new talents, and build friendships. As an IB World School, our children are actively encouraged to take PYP Actions, applying their learning to real-world issues and making a positive difference. All of this is underpinned by a robust and clear PSHE Curriculum that equips children with the knowledge, understanding, and skills to lead healthy, safe, and responsible lives.

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