Personal Development
At Fender Primary School, we are passionate about developing the whole child – academically, socially, emotionally, and morally. Our Personal Development offer is designed to equip pupils with the values, skills, and confidence they need to thrive both in school and in life. From leadership opportunities and wellbeing support to real-world learning and pupil voice, we empower every child to grow into a kind, capable, and active citizen.
Bespoke PSHE & SRE Curriculum
Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum is carefully tailored to the unique needs of our pupils and community. It is taught progressively from Early Years to Year 6 and helps children develop emotional literacy, resilience, social awareness, and a strong moral compass.
The curriculum covers a wide range of important topics, including:
- Emotional wellbeing and mental health
- Healthy relationships and friendships
- Celebrating diversity and respecting differences
- Online safety and digital wellbeing
- Personal safety and responsible decision-making
A key component of our PSHE programme is our age-appropriate Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). Children learn about different types of families, how their bodies change as they grow, and how to recognise and build respectful, safe relationships. We work closely with parents and carers, ensuring full transparency and shared understanding around SRE content and delivery.
Careers Curriculum
We believe it’s never too early to raise aspirations. Our Careers curriculum introduces children to a wide range of jobs, industries, and career pathways. Through guest speakers, themed weeks, classroom projects, and role play, children explore their own interests and begin to understand the skills and qualities needed to succeed in the workplace. This helps them to dream big, think about their futures, and build a sense of purpose and ambition.
Oracy Assemblies – Linking British Values to Real Life
At Fender, we value every child’s voice. Our weekly Oracy Assemblies are a key opportunity for pupils to develop their public speaking, active listening, and critical thinking skills. Each assembly is built around a British Value – such as democracy, the rule of law, or mutual respect – and linked to a real-world person, story, or current event. Pupils are encouraged to question, discuss, and reflect, helping them to become confident communicators and thoughtful citizens.
Voices of the Woodchurch
Our pupil-led journalism project, “Voices of the Woodchurch,” celebrates the stories and people that make our local community so special. Each month, pupils interview someone who lives or works on the Woodchurch Estate – from community volunteers and business owners to artists and local heroes. These interviews are shared in school and across our platforms, helping children strengthen their sense of identity, pride, and connection to the place they call home.
Leadership Opportunities
We are committed to building the leaders of tomorrow. Pupils at Fender take on meaningful leadership roles that develop confidence, responsibility, and a sense of service. These include:
- Prefects – role models who support younger pupils and represent the school in key events
- School Council – elected representatives who gather pupil voice and work on school improvement initiatives
- Eco Council – environmentally-minded leaders who champion sustainability projects across the school
These opportunities allow children to experience democracy in action, use their voice for good, and learn the value of teamwork and accountability.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
Our extra-curricular clubs enrich the school experience and allow children to discover new interests and talents. From football, gardening and coding to art, dance, choir and STEM, our club offer promotes creativity, teamwork, perseverance, and fun. We are proud to provide inclusive, high-quality experiences beyond the classroom that support both personal and social development.
Forest School
Our dedicated Forest School programme provides a unique, hands-on learning experience in nature. Children explore, investigate, and solve problems in our outdoor learning space, developing key skills such as independence, resilience, collaboration, and risk management. From den building and nature crafts to fire lighting and storytelling, Forest School fosters curiosity, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the natural world – while supporting wellbeing and emotional growth.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Pupil wellbeing is central to everything we do at Fender Primary. We take a proactive, whole-school approach to mental health, ensuring that every child feels safe, supported, and valued. We use tools such as the Zones of Regulation to help children recognise and manage their emotions, and all staff are trained to provide nurturing responses and guidance. In addition, we offer regular wellbeing check-ins, an incredible ELSA team, mindfulness activities, and access to specialist support when needed.
Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development (SMSC)
Our curriculum and school ethos are underpinned by strong spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Through religious education, themed days, carefully selected texts, global learning, charity work, and celebration of festivals and cultures, children learn to respect others, take pride in their identity, and understand the wider world. We aim to create thoughtful, compassionate learners who are aware of their place in an interconnected global society.
A Foundation for Lifelong Success
At Fender Primary School, personal development is not a bolt-on – it is at the heart of our mission. By investing in the whole child, we are preparing our pupils not just to succeed in tests, but to thrive in life: with strong values, bright futures, and the confidence to be themselves.
