Personal Development in Action at St Thomas Halliwell

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Living Our Christian Vision

Children experience regular collective worship, prayer and reflection, with opportunities to explore big questions about faith, justice and responsibility. The Ethos Team help plan and lead services, modelling confidence and service to others. Links with our parish church strengthen pupils’ understanding of belonging and community.

The Ethos Team

Pupil Leadership and Voice

Children are empowered to influence school life through meaningful leadership roles, including:

These roles develop confidence, responsibility and democratic understanding. Pupils lead assemblies, gather views from peers and contribute to positive change across school.

Character and Aspiration Through “11 Before 11”

Our 11 before 11 programme ensures every child accesses memorable experiences that broaden horizons and build character. This includes:

  • Performing in front of an audience
  • Visiting places of cultural and historical significance
  • Taking part in residential and outdoor adventurous activities
  • Leading an initiative or supporting a charitable cause
  • Experiencing teamwork through sport and enterprise

These shared milestones strengthen resilience, independence and courage.

Promoting Safety, Responsibility and British Values

We use Pol-Ed & Kapow Primary to enhance our personal development curriculum. Through structured, age-appropriate lessons and targeted 1:1 sessions where needed, pupils learn about:

  • Keeping safe at home and in the community
  • Online safety and responsible digital behaviour
  • The rule of law and consequences
  • Respect, discrimination and equality
  • Healthy relationships

This proactive approach supports pupils to understand their rights and responsibilities while reinforcing British Values in a meaningful way.

We also participate in the NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe programme to strengthen pupils’ understanding of personal safety and their right to be heard. Through carefully structured, age-appropriate assemblies and classroom sessions, pupils learn about:

  • Recognising when something feels wrong or unsafe
  • Understanding different types of abuse in an age-appropriate way
  • The importance of speaking to a trusted adult
  • How to seek help for themselves or others
  • The NSPCC Childline service and how it can support them

This programme empowers children to understand their right to feel safe, valued and respected. It reinforces the importance of individual liberty, mutual respect and safeguarding, ensuring pupils know that their voice matters and that support is always available.

SMSC and Themed Personal Development Opportunities

Our commitment to personal development is further strengthened through our carefully planned SMSC calendar, which details all topics, awareness events and enrichment opportunities delivered throughout the year.

Through this structured programme, pupils engage with themes including:

  • Mini Police experiences, supporting children’s understanding of safety, responsibility and positive behaviour within the community
  • British Values Days, exploring democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance
  • Anti-Bullying education, including Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day, promoting kindness, accountability and inclusion
  • Online safety and digital citizenship, reinforced through Safer Internet Day and whole-school internet safety initiatives
  • Children’s Mental Health Week and national wellbeing awareness events
  • Fire safety awareness and emergency response education
  • Anti-racism and anti-discrimination learning
  • NSPCC Number Day and Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies
  • Pupil voice initiatives ensuring children feel heard and valued

Safeguarding, personal responsibility and respectful relationships are woven through PSHE, R.E., online safety and wider curriculum experiences. Our SMSC calendar ensures that these themes are progressive, age-appropriate and responsive to the needs of our community.

Through this planned and reflective approach, we ensure that personal development is not incidental, but intentional, comprehensive and embedded across the life of the school.

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

As a multicultural community in Bolton, we intentionally celebrate the richness of different cultures and faiths. Pupils learn about and mark events such as Eid, Ramadan, Easter and other significant celebrations through curriculum work, assemblies and shared experiences. This fosters mutual respect, tolerance and pride in our diverse community.

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

Our strong pastoral systems ensure children feel safe and heard. In practice this includes:

  • Daily check-ins and targeted nurture provision, ensuring children feel seen, heard and supported each day
  • Digital and physical worry boxes, monitored by staff and Wellbeing & Attendance Ambassadors
  • A dedicated Pastoral Care Officer providing daily support for pupils, families and staff
  • Structured pastoral interventions and small group support to develop resilience, self-regulation and confidence
  • Tailored breakfast and lunchtime provision for identified pupils to strengthen belonging and routine
  • A sensory and relaxation room offering a calm, safe space for targeted emotional support
  • Calm and reflection areas in every classroom to promote emotional regulation and positive behaviour
  • Wellbeing Wednesdays for pupils and staff focused on emotional health, kindness and self-care
  • Wellbeing Wednesday posts shared with parents via Class Dojo, signposting families to local and national support services
  • Regularly shared online support sessions, webinars and resources for parents to strengthen family wellbeing
  • Wellbeing coffee mornings and shared guidance for parents to promote partnership and open communication
  • Participation in national awareness events such as Hello Yellow to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health
  • The Solihull “Togetherness” approach to support positive relationships at home
  • Use of CPOMS to carefully monitor patterns of behaviour and wellbeing concerns
  • Behaviour tracking systems to identify trends and provide timely intervention
  • Sub-categorisation of behaviour incidents to ensure appropriate and proportionate responses
  • Partnership working with Bright Leaders to provide mentoring and targeted emotional wellbeing support
  • Close collaboration with external agencies to ensure families receive the right support at the right time
  • Promotion of open conversations about feelings, teaching practical strategies to manage emotions and build resilience
  • Active leadership from our Pupil Wellbeing and Attendance Ambassadors, supporting peers and shaping wellbeing initiatives
  • Buddy benches and wellbeing backpacks to encourage peer support and shared responsibility
  • Buddy, our school therapy dog, providing comfort, reassurance and calm to help pupils feel safe and relaxed in school
  • A strong focus on staff wellbeing, including mental health first aid training, peer support and a dedicated staff wellbeing day
  • Regular celebration of achievements, positive behaviour and kindness to ensure every child feels valued, confident and proud
  • The Wellbeing & Attendance Ambassadors actively promote positive mental health and belonging across school.

Wellbeing Award

We are incredibly proud that St Thomas (Halliwell) CE Primary School successfully retained the Wellbeing Award for Schools for a further three years (2025–2028).

Enrichment Beyond the Classroom

Personal development is further enhanced through:

  • Educational visits and visitors
  • After-school clubs and sports competitions
  • Community partnerships
  • Charity fundraising and service opportunities

We ensure that all pupils, particularly those facing disadvantage, are supported to access these experiences.

Through these lived experiences, pupils develop the confidence, compassion and character to contribute positively to society. They leave St Thomas Halliwell equipped not only with knowledge, but with the values, skills and self-belief to shine brightly in the next stage of their journey.

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