Overview

Personal Development at West Lakes Academy encompasses Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education and citizenship.  It is a planned programme of learning opportunities and experiences that help young people grow and develop as individuals and as members of families and communities.  PSHE Citizenship PD education supports children and young people to make informed decisions about their lives and communities.  It deals with real life issues.

Students will study various units and carry out tasks which will require them to work individually, with a partner and in large groups.  Students will be provided with the opportunity to carry out enquiries, plan, prepare, research and present their thoughts and opinions.

We work with a number of external agencies who support the delivery of Personal Development at West Lakes Academy, these include: The Police, The Citizens Advice Bureau, The Teenage Cancer Trust, The Know Project, The University of Cumbria and PFEG.

Personal development is also further underpinned through the tutor time programme, students at the academy have a thirty minute afternoon tutor time daily which is structured to allow for the development of our young people. This time now includes a weekly session on character education, these sessions are designed to encourage our students to develop positive personal traits and enable them to become confident and compassionate young adults.

The academy values Achievement, Appreciation, Freedom, Resilience and  Respect are celebrated weekly to support our young people develop these virtues to enable them to apply these into daily life.

Enrichment activities are also a key part of how the academy expands our young people’s personal development. Students receive enrichment through the curriculum such as visits from specialists in their subject area, careers opportunities or external speakers. They also have the opportunity for enrichment through the extra curriculum program the academy offers such as sport, reading, art, board games, cookery and music clubs available afterschool or within social time in the school day.

We develop and promote British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural development throughout our school and within our curriculum.

A key part of our personal development education is to ensure children become valuable and fully rounded members of society who treat others with respect and leave school fully prepared for life in modern Britain, helping students develop a range of personal and social skills that will enable them to become well-rounded, responsible, and engaged members of society.

Key Stage 3

We cover a variety of topics during years 7 and 8, these include: Careers, Financial Management, Alcohol and Drug Awareness, Personal Safety, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, Wellbeing, Relationships, Safe Sex, Government, the role of MPs and the electoral system, laws, rights and responsibilities and communities.