At Phoenix Primary School, personal development sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued and ready to learn, and when they are supported to understand themselves, manage their emotions and build positive relationships with others.

Our approach is grounded in our school values of Kindness, Resilience, Responsibility and Ambition, which shape our behaviour expectations, wellbeing support and personal development opportunities across the school.

Through consistent, supportive approaches to behaviour, we help children to make positive choices, take responsibility for their actions and develop the social and emotional skills needed to thrive both in and out of the classroom. We place strong emphasis on restorative conversations, clear routines and high expectations, ensuring children feel a sense of belonging and understand how their behaviour impacts others.

Our Thrive-informed approach supports children’s emotional development by helping them to recognise and regulate their feelings, build resilience and develop confidence. Targeted Thrive support, alongside nurturing spaces and trusted adults, ensures that children are emotionally ready to engage in learning and wider school life.

Personal development is further strengthened through our PSHE curriculum, where children learn about friendships, relationships, emotional wellbeing, keeping themselves safe and setting goals for the future. These lessons are carefully sequenced and reinforced through assemblies, themed weeks and daily practice across school.

Beyond the classroom, we provide a wide range of experiences that bring these values and skills to life, including:

• Sport and physical activity, promoting teamwork, perseverance and healthy lifestyles

• Educational visits and class trips, broadening experiences and building cultural understanding

• Clubs and enrichment activities, encouraging curiosity, confidence and ambition

• Visitors and workshops, connecting learning to the wider world

• Practical life skills, such as cookery, that develop independence and responsibility

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with additional needs, have access to meaningful opportunities that support their personal growth and wellbeing. These experiences help children to develop character, confidence and aspirations, preparing them well for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain.

This section of our website celebrates the rich and inclusive life of Phoenix Primary beyond the curriculum and reflects our commitment to developing kind, resilient, responsible and ambitious learners.