Personal Development
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Personal Development at Allestree Woodlands School extends the curriculum, beyond the academic opportunities that our school offers. Personal Development is aimed at providing our students with opportunities to develop their passions, interests and talents.
AWS believes that our students are entitled to thrive beyond the classroom, and the range of extra-curricular activities they are offered enhances students’ character-building during their time at secondary school and sixth form.
We support our students in developing resilience, independence and confidence through the opportunities provided to them. This is aimed at ensuring that students have an enriched and happy time, where they are challenged to be their best whilst at Allestree Woodlands School.
We provide a thorough programme of PSHE, Careers and extra-curricular opportunities, preparing students for further education and next steps, ensuring students are ready for the world of work. Students are also prepared for life as a young person living in the wider world by learning to demonstrate AWS’ CORE Values of Courage, Optimism, Regard and Endeavour within all subject areas and through an assembly programme, tailored to the needs of our students.
SMSC at Woodlands
SMSC stands for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development.
At Allestree Woodlands School, we promote SMSC through our classroom curriculum and through our Personal Development offering. SMSC at AWS is defined and exemplified in the following ways:
Spiritual: The opportunity to explore feelings, values and beliefs. The opportunity to learn about oneself, views of others and the world that we are part of.
In PSHE, students learn about living in a diverse society.
In Music, students learn about music styles from around the world, incorporated into different religious events.
In Modern Foreign Languages, students recognise festivals and traditions from around the world.
Moral: The opportunity to learn about making positive choices and determining right from wrong. This includes respecting the law; understanding consequences and investigating moral and ethical issues, whilst considering balanced views.
In History, students study challenging topics including slavery and the Holocaust.
In English students study war poetry, rhetoric speeches and plays such as ‘Inspector Calls’.
Social: The opportunity to reflect on and be a positive member of the local community and beyond. This includes appreciating diverse viewpoints; participating, volunteering, conflict-resolving and working positively alongside other people.
The extensive range of clubs allow students to participate in activities alongside their peers, to develop social skills in extra-curricular activities.
Charity events across school encourage students to play an active role in recognising and earning money for groups in the local community.
Cultural: The opportunity to building awareness and appreciation of cultural influences; to appreciate the role of democracy and Britain’s parliamentary system; participate in cultural opportunities; understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.
In Food Technology, students recognise ‘Cultural Food Month’ and have the opportunity to cook and research food recipes that are inspired by different cultures.
In Design and Technology, the Light Project enables students to research and build a product for different cultural celebrations.
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