Personal Development
CURRICULUM AIMS AND VALUES
The responsibility to educate students extends beyond their academic studies. Our PD curriculum aims to instill core values of respect, tolerance and compassion and ensure that our pupils are prepared for the world beyond school and understand their role and responsibilities within it. At Greenbank we plan to develop the confidence and character of our students through an extensive PD programme which covers the following areas:
- Fundamental British Values and Citizenship education
- Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education
- Personal, Social, Health and Economic, and Sex and Relationships Education
- Careers and Living in the Wider World education
The character and cultural capital of our students is enhanced through an extensive range of extra-curricular opportunities, including an array of clubs, activities, visits and residential trips.
Personal Development Curriculum: Organisation and Delivery
- Our aims for the PD curriculum are achieved through:
- Dedicated curriculum time (PSHE and PDT programme)
- Use of external agencies & support groups, where applicable & appropriate
- High attendance rates
- Positive response from pupil & parent feedback
- Student leadership programmes, including student council, and pupil voice
- Extensive support, including House structure, health and wellbeing and pastoral care
- Extensive extra-curricular programmes in many areas
- Equal opportunity for all
- PD Days to provide enrichment for years 7 to 11 reinforce the curriculum provision. These are published in the calendar and are delivered by both outside agencies and internal staff.
- Through Enrichment Days and activities from Y7 – 11 developing the values of enterprise and employability skills
- Through form and House activities which further enhances the work of personal development and well-being
- Through our rewards and achievement policy
At GHS our students work hard to develop their character, confidence and resilience through a variety of different activities and challenges. During lessons achievement points can be gained by students for demonstrating positive character traits such as perseverance and determination rather than just high attainment scores, and students are routinely encouraged to adopt a growth mindset when tackling new challenges.
Students model positive character traits through their responsibilities as Angels, leadership schemes and as members of the school council and pupil leadership team. Our students participate in an extensive range of extra-curricular activities, demonstrating a curiosity to cultivate new interests and grasp diverse opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Accomplishments are celebrated collectively during form time, House assemblies and Head’s Breakfasts.
At GHS our motto is ‘Inspire, Care, Achieve’ and we know that there is far more to school than simply passing exams. We provide an extensive programme of wider opportunities to ensure all our students regularly have opportunities to enjoy new experiences, develop character, build personal skills and ignite a passion for, and enjoyment of, learning.
Many students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, achieving both the Bronze and Silver award. Both sports day and the school show are also key opportunities for students to cultivate character, confidence and resilience and promote camaraderie amongst the school community.
In addition to the above, we also have an ambitious calendar of activities through our House system intended to foster character, develop our core values, and create opportunities for volunteering and charity work. Pupils all belong to one of seven Houses and House Leaders and Captains organise a range of events including quizzes, sporting events and the Talent Show. Our annual Sports Day is also an opportunity for students to represent their House in a range of areas.
Above and beyond , we also offer an expansive and varied optional programme of extra-curricular events. These include sports teams, inter-school competitions, day trips and of course, residentials. Students are offered a number of opportunities to travel internationally, including visits to Poland and CERN in Switzerland. For those wanting to stay closer to home, there are residentials to PGL in Shropshire as well as theatre and museum trips.
PDT Plan
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Introduction
Personal Development
CURRICULUM AIMS AND VALUES
The responsibility to educate students extends beyond their academic studies. Our PD curriculum aims to instill core values of respect, tolerance and compassion and ensure that our pupils are prepared for the world beyond school and understand their role and responsibilities within it. At Greenbank we plan to develop the confidence and character of our students through an extensive PD programme which covers the following areas:
- Fundamental British Values and Citizenship education
- Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural education
- Personal, Social, Health and Economic, and Sex and Relationships Education
- Careers and Living in the Wider World education
The character and cultural capital of our students is enhanced through an extensive range of extra-curricular opportunities, including an array of clubs, activities, visits and residential trips.
Personal Development Curriculum: Organisation and Delivery
- Our aims for the PD curriculum are achieved through:
- Dedicated curriculum time (PSHE and PDT programme)
- Use of external agencies & support groups, where applicable & appropriate
- High attendance rates
- Positive response from pupil & parent feedback
- Student leadership programmes, including student council, and pupil voice
- Extensive support, including House structure, health and wellbeing and pastoral care
- Extensive extra-curricular programmes in many areas
- Equal opportunity for all
- PD Days to provide enrichment for years 7 to 11 reinforce the curriculum provision. These are published in the calendar and are delivered by both outside agencies and internal staff.
- Through Enrichment Days and activities from Y7 – 11 developing the values of enterprise and employability skills
- Through form and House activities which further enhances the work of personal development and well-being
- Through our rewards and achievement policy
At GHS our students work hard to develop their character, confidence and resilience through a variety of different activities and challenges. During lessons achievement points can be gained by students for demonstrating positive character traits such as perseverance and determination rather than just high attainment scores, and students are routinely encouraged to adopt a growth mindset when tackling new challenges.
Students model positive character traits through their responsibilities as Angels, leadership schemes and as members of the school council and pupil leadership team. Our students participate in an extensive range of extra-curricular activities, demonstrating a curiosity to cultivate new interests and grasp diverse opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Accomplishments are celebrated collectively during form time, House assemblies and Head’s Breakfasts.
At GHS our motto is ‘Inspire, Care, Achieve’ and we know that there is far more to school than simply passing exams. We provide an extensive programme of wider opportunities to ensure all our students regularly have opportunities to enjoy new experiences, develop character, build personal skills and ignite a passion for, and enjoyment of, learning.
Many students take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, achieving both the Bronze and Silver award. Both sports day and the school show are also key opportunities for students to cultivate character, confidence and resilience and promote camaraderie amongst the school community.
In addition to the above, we also have an ambitious calendar of activities through our House system intended to foster character, develop our core values, and create opportunities for volunteering and charity work. Pupils all belong to one of seven Houses and House Leaders and Captains organise a range of events including quizzes, sporting events and the Talent Show. Our annual Sports Day is also an opportunity for students to represent their House in a range of areas.
Above and beyond , we also offer an expansive and varied optional programme of extra-curricular events. These include sports teams, inter-school competitions, day trips and of course, residentials. Students are offered a number of opportunities to travel internationally, including visits to Poland and CERN in Switzerland. For those wanting to stay closer to home, there are residentials to PGL in Shropshire as well as theatre and museum trips.
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British Values
The Promotion of Fundamental British Values (FBV) at Greenbank High School
We at Greenbank believe that the following list exemplifies some of the values held dear by British citizens:
- Democracy
- Respect of the rule of law
- Appreciation of the rights of other citizens
- Individual liberty
- The promotion of opportunities for all
- Support for those who cannot, by themselves, sustain a dignified lifestyle
- Religious tolerance and respect for cultural diversity
- Treating others with fairness
- Participation in community life
- The contribution to, as well as the benefit from, cultural and economic resources
Although this list is not exhaustive, we believe it encapsulates the attitudes Greenbank High School values and seeks to engender in its young people.
How does Greenbank High School promote these values?
- At Greenbank High School we believe that our statement of vision and values, found on the school’s website, makes explicit our fundamental belief in many of these values. This statement is the foundation of all our work with our students.
- Our school’s motto is “Inspire, Care, and Achieve”. All pupils are regularly spoken to about the importance of these three attributes for success in school. A particular emphasis is placed on caring and nurturing others to achieve.
- Our house system provides more opportunities for pupils to work with members of other year groups, foster a strong sense of identity/belonging for all pupils in school and raise money for their nominated charities.
- The UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child are displayed around the school and acknowledged in much work of the school.
- All pupils study PSHE and the personal development curriculum through which FBV are taught.
- All pupils study Religious Education (RE) from Years 7 -11. All students take the subject as a GCSE and results are excellent which show how girls are able to apply their learning and prepare them to be active citizens.
The RE curriculum at Greenbank contains the following elements which are directly applicable to promoting British values:
- ‘What is Religion?’ (Year 7)
- ‘Rights and Responsibilities’ (Year 8)
- ‘Remembering the Holocaust’ (Year 8)
- ‘Crime and Punishment’ (Year 9)
- ’Human Rights’ (Year 10)
At key stage 4, the course covers many social and topical issues including Islamophobia, the changing role of the Church in Britain today and 21st century relationships. These issues are explored from a Christian and Muslim perspective, offering opportunities for inter-faith dialogue.
Year 8 pupils have opportunities for personal reflection and creativity in the ‘Remembering’ Topic. Across year 7 and 8 pupils study all the 6 major world faiths, in order to gain a broad awareness of our multi-faith society.
The Personal Development Curriculum teaches explicitly and discretely about fundamental British Values. All lesson materials have FBV referenced. All members of our school community full access to learning materials through the VLE.
Other areas of our curriculum that contribute to the learning of FBV are:-
- In Year 8 History pupils study the British Colonial History and the Suffragettes and the importance of the right to vote.
- In Year 7 Geography pupils learn about the United Kingdom and their own identity through ‘Britain in a Box’.
- Enrichment Days offer practical and interactive learning about British values through for example the whole school day on visiting places of worship in Year 7, Equality in Year 8 and Politics Day in Year 10.
- Learning outside the Classroom allows pupils to participate in experiences such as visits to a variety of places of worship, museums, The Houses of Parliament, The United Nations in Geneva and the World War I battlefields.
- Our work as a British Council International School allows all pupils to access global learning and understand different cultures, religions and traditions. We address the themes of identity and belonging and rights and responsibilities within our Action Plan
- A 10 week Philosophy For Children (P4C) course for Year 7 and 8 pupils
- Assemblies, held once a week led by a senior member of staff or Head of Year, focus on many identified elements which have included this year, The Refugee Crisis, Democracy, Messages from the Holocaust and World Religion Day.
- A student and staff diversity group has a voice in curriculum development and issues affecting our school community.
- Partnership working with external partners such as The Anne Frank Trust has allowed pupils to learn about Human Rights and the importance of living in a democracy. All Key Stage 3 pupils were involved in these sessions. Anne Frank Leaders have been trained to extend the message into the wider community including primary schools.
- Personal Development Time focuses on developing pupils’ knowledge of local, national and global issues such a British culture and current news events.
- The school’s system of organising pupil voice encourages involvement of every pupil in school life. Pupils are able to make suggestions via the VLE at individual level, their Form Leaders and The Article 12 School Council.
- A Christian Union group called A Safe Space has a strong membership and meets once a week
- Greenbank INTERACT sponsored by Southport Links Rotary Club is a pupil run group available to all pupils that raise money for a local and international charity. The pupils also volunteer for service in the local area.
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme ensures all Key Stage 4 participants volunteer in the community. Annually over 150 students achieved either Bronze or Silver Award.
- All Year 10 pupils contribute towards providing hampers at Christmas for those who are most in need in the community.
- Pupils are given many opportunities to volunteer for both internal activities such as Open Evening where feedback on the service the pupils provide is very positive and external activities through the wide range of leadership activities that involves serving in primary schools
- The school supports local, national and international charities. Recently more than £15000 was raised for charities such as Young Minds, Children in Need, UNICEF, Queenscourt Hospice and Southport Lifeboat.
- The school runs a Mock Election during every general election to further support the learning of politics and a Mock Court Trial Competition in Year 9 to support the learning of the judicial system.
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Extra Curricular
At Greenbank we have a wide variety of clubs that we hope will appeal to all students’ interests and talents. All pupils are encouraged to get actively involved in school life as it is a fantastic way to work as a team and make new friends. Joining clubs is also a great opportunity to really experience the wider life of school, and it is part of the way in which we strive to educate the ‘whole child’ in body, mind and spirit. It is also a key part of the personal development provision at Greenbank.
We believe that the learning journey through school is not just about securing educational qualifications and we value the whole experience that our students receive here and understand that time spent developing extra-curricular interests is pivotal to ensuring our youngsters leave us as well-rounded citizens; happy and healthy. Our clubs and activities cover a wide range of areas from sport to science, art, cooking and drama. That said, we are always open to new ideas. If students feel that there is something that we do not offer that they would really like to try, then we will do our very best to facilitate it.
There is also a wide range of day and residential trips on offer. We have recently travelled to CERN in Geneva, Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland, Lille and Paris in France and visited our partner school in Ghana. There are day trips to various museums, exhibitions and places of interest including the Yorkshire sculpture park and Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall. The Duke of Edinburgh programme is very popular with many pupils completing both Bronze and Silver awards.
Summer Extra Curricular Timetable (1)
Extra Curricular Timetable
- Help and Advice
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Information for Parents
Information for Parents
A newsletter is sent home to parents every half term. This outlines the PD curriculum that your child will be learning along with information on upcoming PD days, careers, extra-curricular activities and any other events.
Parents will always be notified through parent mail of any sensitive topics. Information on the new RSHE guidance and the right to withdraw can be found here:
Introduction to requirements – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
GB PD newsletter5 -
PDT
Personal Development Time takes place each morning, there is a timetable in place and it is led by the Personal Tutors.
The aim of Personal Development Time is to provide the pupils with a structured and engaging start to the day that allows for knowledge to be built up on matters outside of the curriculum. Within Personal Development Time a range of activities take place over the week. There is a ‘Theme of the week’ with a presentation based on a range of issues.
There is also an emphasis on current affairs in Personal Development Time. It is considered important for the pupils to be aware of the local and wider community and stories are looked at from a national and international perspective. By covering current affairs discussion is prompted and well round individuals are created with an understanding of the world they live in.
Pupils also have the chance within Personal Development Time to look at a ‘Career of the week’ as well as read and attempt numeracy challenges promoting and developing literacy and numerical skills.
Each year group has an assembly once a week. This is either led by the Head of Year or a member of SLT. Pupils are also encouraged to lead assemblies and have done so on a wide range of topics such as Black History month or Holocaust Memorial day.
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Personal Development Days
There are five PD days throughout each school year and these allow for the academic curriculum to be enhanced and for opportunities to be given to the students outside of the curriculum that they may not have a chance to experience otherwise.
The enrichment activities include visits to; Quarry Bank Mill, Chester Zoo, and theatres and museums. There are also enterprise opportunities that cover; setting up your own community project, finding solutions for food waste and establishing your own business. In Key Stage 4 they are also given the chance to visit colleges and universities along with gaining invaluable advice on study skills.
Please see below for quotes from the pupils about their experiences on enrichment days:
‘I enjoyed making cupcakes; it taught us how to work as a team’
‘In years 7-9 PD Days help build confidence and in years 10 and 11 they help prepare you for your exams and after’
‘I like that on PD Days you never do the same thing twice!’
‘I think the visit to Liverpool was the best because it taught me about different places of worship.’
‘Visits are good because we get to go see and experience things rather than just learning about them in school’
‘The visit to Quarry Bank Mill was good because I really got the feel of what life used to be like working in a mill’
‘The dance day was my favourite because I enjoyed it and it gave me a taster of what GCSE dance would be like’
‘Enterprise days are definitely the best Enrichment Days’
‘Maths Industry Day was good because you learnt a lot and developed skills like team work’.
PD Days 24-25
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PSHE
PSHE
Our curriculum follows the PSHE Association programme of study. Pupils have one lesson a fortnight and study a wide range of topics. Lessons are age appropriate and difficult issues are tackled in a sensitive manner.
Across the five years pupils will look at the following areas:
- Keeping safe
- Online life and media
- Relationships
- Emotional and Mental health
- Health and Fitness
- Future choices and money
- Personal Skills
- Values, right and responsibilities
National Curriculum – Citizenship key stages 3 and 4 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Programme of Study KS1-5 (pshe-association.org.uk)
See RSE policy for further information
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Pupil Voice
Pupil Voice
We have a thriving School Council at Greenbank. Each form chooses a representative and we meet every half term. Every year we undertake a project to benefit the local community. We were instrumental in setting up the ‘Street Safe’ scheme working with Sustrans to improve road safety around school. We have also developed our ‘Social Signature’ with the Windmills Foundation and made shoe boxes of gifts for Queenscourt Hospice.
Windmills Foundation | Let’s build windmills together Windmills Foundation – Learning Resources
Charity work extends beyond school council as each of our houses has a chosen charity. Pupils raise money throughout the year through a variety of events including raffles and cake sales.
