Personal Development at Brookdale
Our commitment is to nurture well-rounded, knowledgeable and thoughtful individuals who are confident to explore the world, contribute positively to their communities and shape their own futures.
At Brookdale, personal development is not an “add-on”. It is a golden thread running through our curriculum, wider opportunities, relationships and everyday school life. Through a coherent programme of taught learning, enrichment, leadership and pastoral support, we help children develop the knowledge, character, confidence and skills they need to achieve, thrive and participate successfully in life beyond primary school.
We are proud to provide an inclusive environment in which every child, regardless of their background or individual needs, feels welcome, valued and respected and can access the experiences and support they need. Our personal development provision contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepares them to become responsible, respectful and active citizens.
Our School Values and Character Development
Our school values of friendship, compassion, respect, teamwork, determination and responsibility are central to personal development at Brookdale.
Through lessons, assemblies, relationships and wider school experiences, children are encouraged to:
- reflect thoughtfully and make responsible choices
- recognise right and wrong and understand the consequences of their actions
- behave with honesty and integrity
- cooperate well with others and resolve disagreements respectfully
- develop confidence, resilience and independence
- show kindness, empathy and respect
- take responsibility for themselves, other people and their environment.
Children are encouraged to recognise their strengths, develop their interests and understand that effort, perseverance and reflection can help them overcome challenges.
PSHE, Relationships and Health Education
Our planned PSHE and Relationships and Health Education curriculum gives pupils the age-appropriate knowledge they need to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Children learn about:
- healthy friendships, families and other relationships
- consent, personal boundaries and respect
- physical health, nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyles
- emotions, mental health and strategies for maintaining positive wellbeing
- changes, growing up and preparing for transition
- managing conflict and seeking help
- online safety, social media and the responsible use of technology
- recognising risks and knowing how to keep themselves and others safe.
Safeguarding learning is embedded across the curriculum. Pupils are taught how to recognise when something may be unsafe, who they can speak to and how trusted adults and appropriate services can help them. Our teaching is adapted sensitively so that pupils, including those with SEND, receive the age-appropriate information they need in an accessible and developmentally suitable way.
Equality, Diversity and Protected Characteristics
Brookdale is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and creating a culture in which everyone belongs.
Throughout the curriculum, assemblies, stories, discussions and wider school life, children develop an age-appropriate understanding of the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation.
Our teaching helps pupils understand that people and families may be different and that these differences should be understood and respected. Children learn to appreciate diversity while recognising the experiences, values and rights that people share.
Pupils are taught that bullying, prejudice, unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation are unacceptable. We want every child to feel confident in challenging unkindness and in seeking help when they or someone else is treated unfairly.
British Values and Active Citizenship
We actively promote the fundamental British values of:
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
Children learn how these principles apply to their lives in school and to wider society. They explore rights and responsibilities, understand why rules and laws are needed, listen to different viewpoints and learn how decisions can be made fairly.
Community engagement includes visits to local places of worship, projects with local care homes, environmental activities and litter picks. These experiences foster responsibility, compassion and pride in our local community.
Pupils also participate in cross-school debating, poetry and sporting events, giving them opportunities to meet and work with children from communities beyond their own.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
We provide a broad range of first-hand experiences that complement learning across the curriculum and help children understand themselves, other people and the wider world.
Curriculum-rich visits to places such as Liverpool Museum, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, Hilbre Island, the Philharmonic Hall and the Walker Art Gallery deepen children’s learning in history, geography, science, music and the arts.
Children learn about different cultures, religions, communities and ways of life through the curriculum, carefully selected texts, educational visits, visitors and meaningful discussion. They are encouraged to ask questions, express reasoned views and reflect on their own beliefs and experiences while respecting those of others.
Social Confidence, Communication and Oracy
Developing children’s ability to communicate confidently, listen carefully and collaborate successfully is central to our curriculum.
Pupils regularly speak in front of others through:
- class discussions and presentations
- assemblies
- reading aloud
- debates
- pupil leadership meetings
- musical and dramatic performances.
All children are given opportunities to perform during their school journey, including through Christmas services, music concerts, the Year 5 and 6 production and the Year 6 Leavers’ Assembly.
These experiences help children express their ideas clearly, respond respectfully to different perspectives and develop the confidence to contribute to school and community life.
Leadership, Pupil Voice and Agency
We provide meaningful leadership roles that enable children to influence school life, represent others and take responsibility.
Roles include:
- School Council representatives
- Values Ambassadors
- Wellbeing Ambassadors
- Reading Ambassadors
- PE Ambassadors
- Eco Council members.
Through these roles, pupils gather and communicate the views of their peers, contribute to school improvement, lead activities, promote our values and support younger children.
School Council also undertakes a significant whole-school project each year. Recent projects have included organising a whole-school careers fair and creating a promotional video for the school website.
Children also take ownership of enterprise activities, fundraising events, assemblies, environmental projects and stalls and games at school events. These experiences develop teamwork, organisation, decision-making, accountability and active citizenship.
Cultural and Artistic Development
We believe that every child should experience high-quality music, art, literature, drama and culture.
Our provision includes:
- opportunities to learn a musical instrument, including weekly ukulele lessons for Year 4
- a broad art curriculum exploring a range of artists, cultures, traditions and styles
- visits to galleries, museums and performances
- live music, theatre and performance experiences
- opportunities for children to create, perform and respond to artistic work
- texts selected to represent different cultures, communities, families and experiences.
These opportunities help pupils discover their own talents and interests while developing curiosity, creativity and an appreciation of the contribution that the arts make to society.
Physical Development, Resilience and Independence
Sport, outdoor learning and residential experiences support children’s physical health, confidence and character development.
Pupils have opportunities to participate in:
- physical education and swimming
- sports clubs, festivals and competitions
- active play and outdoor learning
- team-building and problem-solving activities
- residential visits in Years 4 and 6.
Residential experiences help children develop independence, teamwork, self-reliance and resilience. Sporting opportunities promote healthy competition, perseverance, cooperation and an understanding of how physical activity supports health and wellbeing.
Wellbeing and Pastoral Support
Strong relationships and effective pastoral support are central to life at Brookdale. Staff know pupils well and work with children and families to identify when additional help may be needed.
Support may include:
- access to trusted adults
- ELSA and targeted pastoral support
- work with the Mental Health Support Team and other professionals
- quiet or supportive spaces
- transition activities
- individual or small-group programmes
- reasonable adjustments that enable pupils to participate successfully in school life.
Children are taught to recognise and talk about their emotions, use appropriate strategies to regulate themselves and seek support when they need it. We want every pupil to feel safe, supported and confident that their voice will be heard.
Careers, Aspirations and Preparation for the Future
We encourage children to be ambitious for their futures and to understand the wide range of opportunities available to them.
Careers and aspirations are promoted through:
- curriculum learning
- visits and visitors
- discussions about the world of work
- links with employers, families and community partners
- an annual whole-school careers fair, first established in 2025–26
- opportunities to develop transferable skills such as communication, creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership.
Children are encouraged to recognise their strengths, explore different possibilities and understand that their background, needs or circumstances should not limit their aspirations.
We also provide carefully planned transition support, particularly when children enter Reception and when Year 6 pupils prepare for secondary school, so that they approach their next stage with confidence.
Love of Reading and Literacy for Life
Reading develops knowledge, imagination, empathy and understanding of the world.
Children encounter high-quality texts from different genres, periods, cultures and perspectives through our curriculum, school library and class libraries. Texts are selected carefully to broaden pupils’ experiences and help them understand lives that may be similar to or different from their own.
Reading opportunities include:
- World Book Day celebrations
- sponsored reads
- book fairs
- reading challenges
- visits to and support from the local library
- bedtime-story initiatives
- regular opportunities to read aloud and share books with adults.
Through reading, pupils develop curiosity, compassion, cultural understanding and a lifelong enjoyment of learning.
An Entitlement for Every Child
Personal development is an entitlement for every pupil at Brookdale. We actively consider the participation of disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND, pupils known to social care and any child who may face barriers to taking part.
We monitor access to leadership, enrichment, clubs, visits and wider opportunities so that gaps can be identified and addressed. Activities and teaching are adapted where necessary to reduce barriers while maintaining high expectations and supporting pupils’ long-term independence.
Our aim is that every child leaves Brookdale as a confident, resilient and respectful young person who:
- feels a strong sense of belonging
- understands how to stay safe and healthy
- appreciates diversity and respects the rights of others
- contributes positively to their community
- has discovered interests and talents
- is prepared for the next stage of education
- believes in their ability to shape a successful future.
Throughout your time at Brookdale, you will have the opportunity to: