Personal Development
At Bevington Primary School, we believe that education is about developing the whole child. Our Personal Development curriculum is carefully structured to build character, broaden horizons and instil the values needed to succeed in modern Britain. It weaves together our work on PSHE, SMSC, safeguarding, British Values, the nine Protected Characteristics and a broad enrichment offer to create a cohesive and powerful experience for all pupils.
Celebrating and Embedding Protected Characteristics
We are proud to be an inclusive school that actively promotes the nine Protected Characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 throughout our curriculum and daily life. These characteristics – including age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation – are not confined to isolated lessons but are meaningfully integrated across subjects and routines.
Through a carefully curated selection of high-quality texts in English and PSHE such as Sulwe, The Proudest Blue, Zeb, When Life Gives You Mangoes, and We Have More in Common Than Not, children encounter characters from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. In Science, children learn about the contributions of scientists such as Lewis Latimer and George Washington Carver, whose achievements challenge common stereotypes. Meanwhile, lessons in PSHE explore family structures, personal identity, and respecting differences. These ideas are reinforced in assemblies, displays, school events and through our daily interactions. We create a culture where every child feels represented, where discrimination is openly challenged, and where mutual respect is modelled and expected at all levels.
Promoting British Values Across the Curriculum
British Values are embedded throughout life at Bevington, helping children to understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Democracy is not just taught – it is experienced. Children vote for class ambassadors, school councillors and eco-committee members through genuine electoral processes. In Year 6, children apply for positions of leadership, writing speeches and taking part in school-wide votes, enabling them to engage in democratic decision-making first-hand.
Our curriculum reinforces these values across subjects. For example, in History, children learn about the development of democracy through topics such as the Magna Carta, Ancient Greece, and the Suffragette movement. In RE and PSHE, they explore the meaning of law, liberty, and justice in both religious and secular contexts. Children are taught to recognise right from wrong, to understand how the law protects us, and to express their views respectfully. The values of individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different beliefs are central to our approach and underpin the relationships and culture of our school.
SMSC: Building Thoughtful, Resilient and Reflective Individuals
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is a vital thread that runs through every part of our curriculum. We ensure pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs, appreciate others’ values and develop a sense of self and purpose. Our spiritual development provision includes mindfulness sessions, RE-based reflections, and exposure to awe-inspiring moments in Science and the arts.
Moral development is nurtured through engagement with real-world ethical issues across subjects. Whether discussing historical injustices such as the transatlantic slave trade or debating media manipulation in PSHE, pupils are taught to reason thoughtfully, appreciate multiple viewpoints and make informed moral decisions. Social development is fostered through collaborative group work, extra-curricular clubs, school council, buddy systems and shared responsibilities. Pupils participate in charity projects, environmental campaigns and community service, including regular visits to perform for local residents.
Our cultural development work ensures children understand both their own heritage and the diversity of the world around them. They learn about different religions, cultures, languages and traditions through lessons, school trips and themed events. Our curriculum celebrates diversity and ensures children leave Bevington equipped to contribute positively to life in modern Britain.
Safeguarding Through the Curriculum
Safeguarding is central to our curriculum and school culture. We teach pupils how to stay safe, speak out and seek help if needed. Our PSHE and RSE programmes cover essential safeguarding themes including personal safety, consent, privacy, recognising inappropriate behaviour, and healthy relationships. In Reception and Key Stage 1, children are introduced to these ideas through trusted resources like NSPCC’s PANTS. In upper Key Stage 2, lessons address more complex issues, such as online safety, consent, body autonomy and puberty.
This work is supported through Computing, where pupils are taught how to identify online risks, manage digital behaviour and protect their personal information. Safeguarding themes also appear across our wider curriculum – in PE and Science, children learn about their bodies and how to care for themselves; in Design and Technology, lessons include clear safety protocols when using tools and equipment.
The curriculum has been reviewed and refined to reflect national priorities, including recommendations from Ofsted’s Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools. As a result, safeguarding messages are consistent, clear and age-appropriate, preparing children for their next stage of life and beyond.
Enrichment and Wider Opportunities
Our commitment to personal development extends beyond the classroom through a rich programme of wider opportunities. All pupils take part in a broad range of extra-curricular activities that develop character, build confidence and encourage exploration of new interests. From Year 2, children can access peripatetic music lessons in piano, violin, cello and guitar. In Years 3 and 6, they can join our choirs, which perform at school events and at the Young Voices concert at Wembley Arena.
Children also take part in a wide variety of clubs, including Musical Theatre, Chess, Capoeira, Drama, Inventors (STEM), Cooking, Cheerleading, Gymnastics and Martial Arts. These clubs offer something for everyone and ensure that all children can find a space to belong and succeed. In addition, we have a commitment that every pupil will represent the school in at least one sporting competition before the end of Key Stage 2. Events such as football tournaments, athletics meets, Panathlon games and intra-school leagues provide both challenge and enjoyment, promoting a healthy lifestyle and a strong sense of teamwork.
Our curriculum is further enhanced by frequent educational visits to cultural and historic sites including Kew Gardens, the Science Museum, Westminster Abbey, the Globe Theatre and Buddhist temples. Year 6 pupils also enjoy a residential trip that promotes independence, resilience and team-building. These experiences deepen understanding, reinforce curriculum content and ensure that children experience the richness of the world beyond school.
At Bevington Primary School, Personal Development is not an add-on – it is at the heart of our vision for education. Through a deliberate, rigorous and inclusive approach, we equip children with the skills, attitudes and values they need to become curious learners, thoughtful citizens and empathetic individuals. By the time our pupils leave us at the end of Year 6, they are ready for secondary school and beyond, grounded in respect, driven by aspiration and equipped with the perseverance to achieve their goals.