Personal Development

Personal Development at Hodge Hill Girls' School

Intent

Personal Development at Hodge Hill Girls School is designed to be diverse, modern and engaging. It is a programme that supports all students to become successful global citizens with the skills, knowledge and confidence to have a positive impact on our community.

Inclusion is at the heart of our curriculum, which has been specifically designed to celebrate, support and grow our student’s cultures and traditions whilst always considering our PRIDE values.

We want our students to embrace and challenge different aspects of society through understanding, reflection upon previous experiences and making the most of the numerous opportunities provided to explore the skills, concepts and experiences required for the next stage of their education journey.

Our curriculum promotes spiritual, moral and cultural development and incorporates good quality relationships, as well as focusing on the physical, mental and social well-being of staff and students. Our curriculum reinforces the need to be tolerant, recognises the power of democracy and celebrates success. The Personal Development programme actively promotes the school’s pride values of partnership, respect, inspiration, determination and excellence.

Our curriculum/ workshops and opportunities within school takes a thematic approach, which covers spiral core themes that progressively run through each year group:

Health and Wellbeing
Living in the Wider world
Rights, Responsibilities and British Values
Careers Education
Staying Safe Online and Offline
RSE
Leadership
All areas of SMSC

The themes are built upon each year and lessons within these themes cover the statutory requirements for RSE, health and wellbeing, Citizenship and British Values.

Personal Development in school also meets the requirements of the Gatsby benchmarks, character education mark and the UNICEF sliver rights respecting award which have all previously been attained by the school.

Leadership at Hodge Hill Girls' School

At Hodge Hill Girls School we believe that students should be given a varied range of opportunities to develop and practise leadership skills in preparation for life beyond school. Detailed below are just a few of the initiatives we offer to our students to strengthen their leadership abilities.

Ideas are developed as the result of a group of students, teachers and support staff working together to identify what is right for our school.

Many Student Leadership activities will focus on supporting the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom whilst also reinforcing the school’s ethos to create a climate for great learning, success and opportunity. Through trying new things, finding solutions and embracing responsibility our leaders will ensure the voice of the student body is heard.

Aims of our Student Leadership Programme

To empower students to work in partnership with staff and peer groups towards shared goals.
To provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through a variety of inspiring, challenging and valued projects which impact positively on teaching and learning, in addition to the well-being of students and staff around school.
To prepare students for Higher Education and for achieving personal and professional excellence in life.
To facilitate the implementation of ideas proposed by the general school population.

Our Student Leadership programme provides:

Formal and informal learning opportunities to develop individuals as leaders.
Processes and structures for student representation and the incorporation of students’ views into decision-making in the life of the school.

The school will:

Provide a Student Leadership badge so all members of our community can easily identify student leaders around school.
Provide a range of participation and leadership opportunities, which cater for all students in the school.
Maximise the number and range of students undertaking leadership roles.
Provide recognition of all Student Leadership roles.
Encourage the development of student participation and leadership skills through classroom practice by using the skills developed across all Key Stages.
Develop ways to ensure equity amongst all students.
Celebrate the achievements of all students.

Student Leader expectations

Student Leaders are the school’s role models.

What personal qualities should students possess?

You should like working with and talking to other students.
You should be able to build good working relationships with staff.
You should want to make a lasting impact at school and be involved in decision-making.
You should be able to work well in a team.
You should be polite, mature, responsible and reliable at all times.

We have lots of leadership opportunities at Hodge Hill Girls' School. The best way to show our PRIDE values is by applying for a leadership role in school.

The current roles in school are:

House Leaders

· House Captain/vice house captain (year 11)

· House leaders (yr 7-10)

· Run charity events

· Pupil voice for forms

Events Leaders

· Assemblies

· Parents evening

· Open evening

· School events

Subject Leaders

· Art ambassadors

· Librarians

Wellbeing Leaders

· Peer mentors

· Wellness ambassadors

British Values

At Hodge Hill Girls School, we develop and promote British Values throughout our school and within our curriculum.

A key part of our plan for education is to ensure students become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain.

British Values

The Rule of Law
Democracy
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect
Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs

By doing this, students will develop:

An understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process
An understanding that the freedom to hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law
An acceptance that people having different faiths and beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of discriminatory behaviour
An understanding of the importance or identifying and combating discrimination

Value	Evidence
Democracy	Mission Statement Pupil Forum Students, parents and staff have many opportunities for their voices to be heard at Hodge Hill Girls School. Democracy is central to how we operate. An obvious example is our School House Leader Team. Made up of one representative from each class, the School House Leader team meets regularly to discuss issues raised by the different classes. The team run regular charity events throughout the year as well as being the main pupil voice for students within school. Students are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard. We encourage students to take ownership of not only their school but also of their own learning and progress. This encourages a heightened sense of both personal and social responsibility and is demonstrated on a daily basis by our students. Parents’ opinions are welcomed at Hodge Hill Girls School through methods such as questionnaires, surveys at parents evenings and opportunities to comment on whole school matters e.g. After school provision.
The Rule of Law	Mission Statement/ School aims Behaviour Policy Display of class rules in each classroom, Curriculum links e.g. KS3/KS4 Citizenship The importance of rules and laws, whether they be those that govern our school or our country, are referred to and often reinforced, such as in assemblies and when reflecting on behaviour choices. At the start of the school year, school rules are discussed within form time and behaviour routines are discussed within lessons to ensure that all students have a safe and positive learning environment. Students are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves, and the consequences when laws are broken. These values are reinforced in different ways: Visits from authorities such as the police and fire service Identity and diversity topics within PSHE During Religious Education, when rules for particular faiths are thought about During other school subjects, where there is respect and appreciation for different rules Many areas of the citizenship curriculum
Individual Liberty	Mission Statement/School aims Behaviour policy P.S.H.E policy Alongside rules and laws, we promote freedom of choice and the right to respectfully express views and beliefs. Through the provision of a safe, supportive environment, we provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely; for example: •choices about how they can improve their learning •choices around the participation in extracurricular activities Our students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are taught how to exercise these safely, such as in our PSHE lessons. PSHE, assemblies and other workshops are used to both explore and support the school’s values. By teaching the students how to manage and understand emotions they will be motivated and equipped to: Be effective and successful learners Make and sustain friendships Deal with and resolve conflict evenly and fairly Solve problems with others by themselves Manage strong feelings such as frustration, anger or anxiety Be able to promote calm and optimistic states that promote the achievement of goals Recover from setbacks and persist in the face of difficulties Work and play cooperatively Compete fairly and win or lose with dignity and respect for all competitors Recognise and stand up for their rights and the rights of others Understand the value the differences and commonalities between people, respecting the rights of others to have beliefs and values different to their own. To respect and value our world, and the things, both material and alive that exist within it. Students are given many opportunities to explore new interests, become leaders and expand their learning beyond the classroom.
Mutual respect	Mission Statement/School aims Behaviour policy P.S.H.E policy Roles and Responsibilities We have high expectations of achievement and behaviour. Students and staff are polite and kind. We believe everyone has their own special gifts, and we are expected to use them. We listen and respect each other. We teach the students that conflict will be dealt with calmly and fairly. All members of the school family are valued equally. We celebrate differences within our school and take opportunities to explore new cultures and traditions. Teachers plan exciting, interesting, challenging and innovative lessons where everybody is expected to do their best and respect others. When students are given key roles and responsibilities to work alongside younger children this helps to promote mutual respect across the age phases. E.g. peer mentors, prefects, librarians
Tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs	Mission Statement /school aims P.S.H.E policy R.E. policy Worship records Hodge Hill Girls are proud to promote and celebrate our different backgrounds and beliefs. Tolerance, politeness and mutual respect are at the heart of our aims, ethos and curriculum. Our aim is to ensure that our students can live and work alongside people from all backgrounds and cultures. This will be particularly necessary in a future where due to technological advances will make the 'world a smaller place.' Our pupils know and understand that it is expected that respect is shown to everyone and to everything, whatever differences we may have. Students learn that their behaviour choices have an effect on their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community are encouraged to treat each other with respect.

PSHE

pshe subject information

House Groups System

HOUSE GROUPS

External Partnerships

What is Character Education?

Character Education encapsulates everything our students experience and learn at Hodge Hill Girls’ School both within and outside the classroom.

Having good character enables individuals to thrive and flourish and make better choices in life. This is why Character Education is highly valued and at the heart of all we do in school.

We are proud to have received recognition for our hard work and success in ensuring that high quality Character Education is delivered and embedded at Hodge Hill Girls’ School. As part of this recognition, we have been awarded the Quality Mark Award by the Association for Character Education.

Why is Character Education so important?

Through Character Education at Hodge Hill Girls’ School your child’s personal qualities, skills, emotional resilience and confidence will be developed, so they have the tools to become high achievers in all walks of life. Improving a young person’s social and emotional skills enhances their long-term wellbeing and leads to a more confident and fulfilled life.

Hodge Hill Girls’ School Character Education Pillars?

Character Education is part of everything we do as a school, but we do have some specially designed programmes and initiatives that your child will be encouraged to be part of. These include:

Our Leadership and Character Building-Programme

All students are actively encouraged to participate in the programme which involves mastering skills and qualities and also demonstrating leadership attributes. Students are awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold as they progress through the Leadership and Character Building-Programme.

Click here to find out 'what is Character Education and Why is it important?'

UNICEF Rights Respecting School

Hodge Hill Girls’ School receives prestigious UNICEF UK Award

We are delighted to announce that Hodge Hill Girls’ School has been awarded the Silver Rights Respecting School Award by UNICEF UK.

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything they do. Together with their partners, UNICEF work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

UNICEF UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity they raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies, and they lobby and campaign to keep children safe. UNICEF UK also runs programmes in hospitals, with local authorities in the UK and in schools, which also includes supporting schools to become rights respecting through their acclaimed awards programme.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. Silver is given to schools that make excellent progress towards embedding the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into its ethos and curriculum.

UNICEF works with schools in the UK to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected, their talents are nurtured, and they are able to thrive. The Rights Respecting Schools Award embeds these values in daily school life and gives children the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens. The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learnt, taught, practised, respected, protected, and promoted.

We are extremely proud to have achieved silver and the positive impact that this has had on our school community. We extend our thanks to all the staff and pupils involved and of course to UNICEF UK for working with us and accrediting our school with the silver award. Putting children’s rights at the heart of all we do is essential to our school values and ethos. We will continue to work closely with UNICEF UK and actively promote and support children’s rights, our goal being to continue our rights respecting journey and work towards achieving the UNICEF UK gold award.

For further information about UNICEF please visit www.unicef.org