At Furze Platt Senior School, we don’t just focus on academic achievement – we also help students grow as confident, kind, and responsible young people. This is what is referred to as Personal Development.

 

Personal Development is about how well schools help students to develop their character, resilience, and understanding of the wider world. It includes all the ways children learn to become successful, well-rounded individuals – not just through lessons, but through experiences, opportunities, and relationships.

 

Personal Development covers areas such as:

• Character and values – building confidence, integrity, and respect for others
• Relationships and wellbeing – learning how to form positive friendships, manage emotions, and stay healthy
• Understanding the wider world – developing cultural awareness, respect for diversity, and a sense of social responsibility
• Preparation for the future – encouraging independence, ambition, and readiness for life beyond school, including careers education.

In short, Personal Development is about educating the whole child – helping every student to grow not only academically, but personally and socially too.

 

At Furze Platt, we believe that Personal Development is part of everything we do. It’s woven throughout our whole curriculum, helping students to grow both academically and personally.

This is also supported through:

• PSHE lessons, taught by tutors, which focus on wellbeing, relationships, and life skills.
• A dedicated weekly Personal Development tutor activity, giving students time to reflect, discuss, and develop important skills beyond the classroom.

Each department designs its own Personal Development tutor activities to provide a well-rounded view of future opportunities, encourage students to explore themes beyond the curriculum, and help them engage with cultural awareness and the wider world.

 

As part of our commitment to students’ Personal Development, we actively promote British Values. These are the shared principles that help everyone live and work together respectfully in modern Britain.

The aim is to help young people understand how society works and to encourage them to become responsible, caring, and active citizens.

 

The five Fundamental British Values are:

1. Democracy – understanding that everyone has a voice and a say in decisions, whether that’s through school councils, voting, or class discussions.
2. The Rule of Law – learning why rules and laws are important, how they protect us, and how they help communities stay safe and fair.
3. Individual Liberty – knowing that we all have rights and freedoms and learning to make safe and responsible choices for ourselves.
4. Mutual Respect – showing respect for ourselves and others, even when we have different opinions or backgrounds.
5. Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs – understanding and celebrating diversity and appreciating that others may have beliefs or lifestyles different from our own.

Through lessons, assemblies, and everyday school life, we help our students see these values in action – preparing them to contribute positively to their communities and to society as a whole.

 

For enquiries regarding personal development please contact Miss L Stirling:  lisa.stirling@furzeplatt.net