Personal Development
At Downland school we focus on supporting pupils to develop social skills which enable them to grow in confidence and become accepting of each other. We personalise support and identify barriers that have previously hindered pupils succeeding in school in both the academic offer and during play and break times.
Personal development (PD) is a core aspect of our daily activities—integrated into lessons, events, and assemblies. Our goal is to prepare pupils for adulthood and the wider world and support them in becoming successful adults in their communities and within ours.
Our PD curriculum is designed specifically to meet the needs of our pupils, encouraging them to aim high and make progress from their individual starting points. PD at Downland School equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices and become successful life long learners.
We believe that cultural capital is a key part of a child’s education. Cultural capital is the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours that children need to learn in order to thrive in a culturally, socially and ethnically diverse, modern Britain. We believe that all children should have equal opportunities that will prepare them for a successful future. We value the children’s own experiences and cultural heritage and aim to build upon and broaden this. Through these experiences, the children will learn essential life skills that will prepare them to succeed as they progress onto the next stages of their lives.
We offer a range of enrichment activities that promote skill development and social connections, including learning to ride a bike, cooking, and teamwork through games like Dungeons and Dragons. We aim to broaden our pupils' perspectives and help them recognise their potential. This is achieved through both academic lessons and thematic assemblies covering important topics such as Anti-Bullying Week, Remembrance Day, and Mental Health Awareness, emphasising their relevance within the school and local community.
In addition to our core curriculum, we believe in the value of learning outside the classroom. Our approach is to ensure pupils experience educational trips that complement learning and deepen understanding. Educational trips and visits are essential to our programme, providing opportunities for hands-on learning that enhance pupils' understanding of various subjects and support the development of independence and confidence.
Spending time away from their desk on a school trip is a fantastic way for young people to experience a variety of exciting new situations. What’s more, they’ll be able to apply their learning in real-world contexts and develop skills; both social and academic. Last year our pupils had the opportunity to attend a variety of trips including;
- Sleepover in the natural history museum
- Magdalen farm residential
- Beach trip including swimming in the sea
- Sailing on the Jolie Brise
- Shepton Mallet prison
- Marwell zoo
Our school trips are also designed to give pupils the opportunity to unwind and to strengthen their social bonds with their peers. Fun, memorable experiences held beyond the classroom will leave our pupils with a positive outlook on their education, and present important opportunities for them to demonstrate the skills and values they have learned in school. Back in the classroom, these shared experiences can be called on to reinforce and energise their learning.