Personal Development

Woodchurch high school is a very successful, over-subscribed co-educational Church of England school, which strives to live out its vision: ‘let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven’

Matthew 5:16

Personal Development at Woodchurch High

Personal Development encompasses the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed for students to flourish as individuals and contribute positively to society.

A flourishing school places children instinctively at the heart of decision making and leadership thinking at all levels. As a result, all agendas, structures, budgets and systems are deliberately designed around the flourishing of children at Woodchurch High School.

Flourishing can only happen when each and every child is treated with dignity – for they are of unique and inherent worth, each created in the image of God. Therefore they are to be loved unconditionally, enabled ambitiously, supported compassionately, celebrated frequently and championed relentlessly.

The acorn of our school badge is a powerful symbol of growth and transformation, perfectly reflecting our student’s journey from Year 7 to Year 11. Just as an acorn starts small but contains the potential to grow into a strong and flourishing oak tree, each student begins their secondary school journey full of promise. Through nurturing, challenge, and support, they develop resilience, wisdom, and character, gradually growing in confidence and ability. By Year 11, they stand tall, ready to face the world with strong roots in knowledge, values, and faith, prepared to shine and make a positive impact in their communities.

Core Aspects of Personal Development

PSHE
RSHE
Citizenship
Development of Character
Wider Opportunities
British Values
Inclusion and Equality of Opportunity
Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEAG) (incl. Work Related Learning)
SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development)

Personal Development does not happen by chance. We plan for it strategically and carefully at Woodchurch High School, ensuring it remains central to everything we do.

The most explicit ways in which we do this is Mapping Personal Development.

Examples of how we do this are shown below:

Curriculum Enrichment

Provision which is designed to enhance the curriculum.

Artsist visits
Wirters
Exhibitions
Speakers
Reader in Residence
Scholastic Book Fair
Performances travelling theatres
Poetry live

Theatre visits
Art Gallery visits
Shakespeare Festival
Art Showcase
Sports Day
Competitions and challenges
BBC careers event
School Productions

School choir
Guided reading
Year 10 Canoe and camp trip
Year 10 Welsh 3000s walking and camping trip
Year 8 & 9 snowdonia Residential
Sale sharks fixture visit
Cheshire Phoenix Basketball fixture
Sporting Colours Awards

Maths & English interntion
SEND PE group
Book Swap
National Poetry Day
World Poetry Day
World Book Day

Extra-curricular

Provision which is additional learning experiences.

Sports Clubs
100% Club
Enterprise
All sporting
Melanesian Link
Chess
Reading
Farm Shows
Trips
Residentials

Cathedral visits
Synagogue visits
Natural History Museum
Robotics
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Concerts
Peri lessons
University Visits
Work experience
Period 5 lessons (TA support if needed)

Targeted girls period sessions
SPARX study support
Saturday College
Ski trip
New York art and dance trip
OAA trips
Netball residential
Barcelona art trip
Auschwitz Poland RS trip
LIPA

PGL
Fun club
Annual Careers fair
Young Farmers club
Duolingo Club
Japanese club
Berlin trip
Your personal best in Athletics
TA led lunchtime homework club

Social

Activities provided for social/societal interaction.

Work Experience
SPARKS
Social Skills

Year 8 Runners
Primary Visits
Sporting fixtures

ABOY Care home visits
ABOY local cards of hope deliveries

Transition visits for WHS pupils
Post 16 visits to local providers

Emotional

Provision which supports emotional development, including pupils’ ability to manage their emotions, make decisions, express their emotions and respond appropriately to others’ emotions.

Peer-Peer mentoring
Ask WESS
SLSC
Learning Mentors

Worry Box
Reading Programme
Wellbeing Bulletins
Attendance intervention

Counselling
Dame Kelly Holmes Project
Action for children
Kilgarth anger management mentoring

Health services in school
Everton in the community mental heath sessions
PSE

Spiritual

Provision which encourages pupils’ reflection about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise) and perspective on life, knowledge of, and respect for, different people’s faiths, feelings and values, sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them, use of imagination and creativity in their learning.

Vision
Values
ABYL
Courageous Advocacy
Charity

CAOW
Assemblies
CVs
Visiting speakers

Vision and Values team
Charity fortnight
Chaplaincy Drop Ins
Say One for Me

Pupil led collective worship
Remembrance Service
Christmas & Easter Worship
Monthly value focus

Moral

Provision which helps students develop values, attitudes, and awareness of the spiritual dimension of human life. understand justice, and counteract prejudice and intolerance.

Brook
Zone Activity

Road safety
Anti-bullying Week

Equality and Diversity Week
Wellbeing week

Young politics election programme

Character

The explicit teaching of our values for human and societal flourishing.

Leadership
Rewards
Ambassadors
Prefect team
Eco Reps
Farm Team

Year 11 Mentroing
Mock Elections
Helped at Open Evening
Year 8 Runners
Team Captian
Member of School Team

Talents
Interests
Form reps
School council reps
White ribbon day

Sports leaders events at local primary sports days
OCR Sports Studies Leadership opportunities
PE Displays
Bromcom awards
SHINE awards

The school’s vision and values are the foundation for all personal development. They underpin the explicit teaching of behaviour through our behaviour curriculum.
All pupils study GCSE RS and PSHCE.

Why is Personal Development important?

Cultural Enrichment

We offer an extensive range of opportunities to enhance students’ learning beyond the curriculum, including artist visits, exhibitions, and extra-curricular activities such as sports clubs and enterprise projects. These experiences broaden students’ horizons and help them develop a love for learning.

Social and Emotional Development

Our provision includes structured social interaction through work experience, peer mentoring, and emotional support programmes. Initiatives such as the SPARKS programme and leadership roles ensure students develop confidence, empathy, and essential life skills.

Spiritual and Moral Development

Grounded in our Christian vision, we encourage reflection on faith, values, and moral decision-making. Our curriculum and pastoral care include opportunities for prayer, ethical discussions, and engagement with initiatives that reinforce our commitment to social responsibility. Our school vision is inspired by Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Character Development

We actively cultivate leadership skills and positive character traits through a structured reward system, ambassador roles, and leadership opportunities. Our students are encouraged to serve their school and wider community, growing into responsible and compassionate individuals.

‘Shining Lights’

Our students progress through a structured awards programme from Year 7 to Year 11, inspired by influential Christian figures such as Florence Nightingale and William Wilberforce. This pathway recognises their achievements in participation, contribution, and leadership, encouraging them to strive for excellence in all they do.

Through these provisions, we ensure that every student at Woodchurch High is nurtured to develop holistically, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and character to make a positive impact in the world.