Our Personal Development Offer
Our Personal development offer is designed to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will enable our young people to stand out from the crowd.
Our young people will have experiences that go beyond the national curriculum. We aim to develop well qualified young people who have the skill set to live a happy life with choice and opportunity enabling them to have a positive impact on society.
It is integral that parents and carers are included as part of this programme, see information below re: how we collaborate with families regarding the 9 pillars of Personal Development: British Values, PSHE, RSE, Enrichment, Protected Characteristics, SMSC, Health & Wellbeing, Careers and Sustainability.
The Nine Pillars of our Personal Development Programme
Click on the logos below to find out more about the NEAT Academy Trust personal development offer:
British Values
PSHE
RSE
Enrichment
Protected Characteristics
SMSC
Health & Wellbeing
Careers
Sustainability
What is the purpose of the Personal Development curriculum?
At St. Hild’s, the purpose of the personal development programme is to equip pupils with the skills, values, and experiences needed to thrive in Hartlepool. Set against the backdrop of Hartlepool’s rich maritime heritage and close-knit community, our programme helps pupils overcome challenges such as economic inequality, social isolation, and limited access to opportunities. We focus on building resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of civic responsibility. Our goal is to foster confidence, respect for diversity, and a deep connection to Hartlepool, empowering pupils to navigate life with purpose and pride in their hometown.
Vulnerable learners at our school are defined below
A vulnerable learner is a young person who requires extra support with their education. It is a broad term which encompasses a range of needs. For example, it may be pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or pupils who struggle to regulate their behaviour, or those who have experienced trauma.
It is also important to be aware that individuals could be categorised as ‘vulnerable’ for either a short or long period of time. Some pupils will require ongoing additional support, whilst others it will be temporary intervention or additionality.
All pupils who are under social services (CP/CIN) are classified as a ‘vulnerable’ learner’ and have an allocated ‘key worker’.
What is bespoke about our school’s Personal Development strategy?
The Tracker
- A closely monitored register of every child in Year 11
- Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education and Curriculum Leaders lead on the tracker.
- Intervention is put in place to monitor individuals progress, anxiety and mentoring support needed as Year 11 pupils prepare for life beyond school.
Relational Practice
- Relational practice is key to addressing challenging behaviour. It seeks to understand the root cause of challenging behaviour while involving our students in repairing any harm caused through their actions.
- The Director of Learning for Religious Education is responsible for leading on Relational Practice. We have Circle Time in Year 7 and Year 8 morning registration with Year 10 Circle Leaders trained in Relational Practice to oversee KS3 groups.
- We aim to Impact on pupils’ Personal Development by fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, heard, and respected.
Ambassador Scheme: Anti-Bullying
St Hild’s continues its involvement with the Diana Award, raising the awareness of bullying behaviour and supporting the school and young people to tackle it.
- A group of children in Year 7 to Year 10 have volunteered to be Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
- Anti-Bullying Ambassadors meet weekly to discuss anti-bullying issues in the school, lead a daily anti-bullying drop-in hub in the Library Resource Centre at lunchtime and conduct anti-bullying related assemblies.
- Anti-Bullying Ambassadors develop leadership skills and improve their communication skills and self-esteem.
Junior Leadership Team
- The Junior Leadership team is a democratically elected pupil leadership team.
- Year 11 pupils meet with the Headteacher termly to discuss school improvement.
- The Junior Leadership Team experiences include a business-like environment where pupils advocate for the school council and represent the student body.
The Turing Scheme
St Hild’s has been successful in bidding for involvement in the Turing Project and has projects running in 2025 to Dubai, New York and Gibraltar.
- 30 Year 10 pupils are travelling with staff on the scheme.
- Pupils will be immersed in social, moral, spiritual and cultural experiences.
- Pupils will complete bespoke educational activities during all 3 visits.
Careers
St Hild’s has a dedicated full time Careers Lead. This role under the leadership of an Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development coordinates careers education.
We work with Tees Valley Combined Authority to deliver relevant and high quality careers education, information, advice and guidance.
Pupils have access to 1:1 careers interviews, an online careers platform and portfolio (Xello), careers education through PSHE, experiences of employers and higher/ further education.
St Hild’s works within our community both in Hartlepool and regionally to engage with employers. We have termly Business Breakfasts that facilitate employer engagement and opportunities for pupils to learn about work, training and the labour market.
British Values
The Personal Development Programme within the NEAT family of schools incorporates a deep understanding and promotion of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of other beliefs.
Personal, Social, Health & Economic (PSHE)
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education teaches pupils how to fit into their world. This is delivered through classroom teaching, assemblies, enrichment, visitors, trips, and opportunities to experience society.
Relationships & Sex Education (RSE)
NEAT pupils take part in the statutory RSE programme directed by the Department of Education. This involves acquiring information, developing skills and forming positive beliefs and attitudes. Parents have the right to wtihdraw their child from elements of the curriculum and individual schools hold RSE policies with more information regarding withdrawal.
Enrichment
As well as the NEAT Experience, our individual schools offfer enrichment programmes to extend a resilience of learning beyond the classroom. Pupils are able to take part in clubs, teams, visits, trips, assemblies, and other opportunities allowing them to reflect on those experiences and continue to develop imagination and creativity.
Protected Characteristics
The Equality Act states nine protected characteristics. These are taught to pupils throughout their EYFS – Year 11 journey. Pupils have an understanding and awareness of their own rights as well as those around them. Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are discussed in an age appropriate manner during RSE, PSHE and the wider curriculum.
Age
Religion or Belief
Sex
Marriage & Civil Partnership
Race
Disability
Gender Reassignment
Sexual Orientation
Pregnancy & Maternity
Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural (SMSC)
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural opportunities are offered from EYFS through to Y11. Pupils are given the opportunity to work and socialise with others for a variety of backgrounds. We offer a range of activities including artistic, sporting and cultural experiences that enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of staff and pupils. Pupils are encouraged to understand their local area and how they can contribute to their community and further afield.
Health & Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing of staff and pupils is central to what we do. Pupils have access to support and guidance. The PSHE and RSE programmnes give pupils knowledge of issues with resilience to enable them to overcome challenges.
Careers
The careers education, information advice and guidance (CEIAG) is at the forefront of the NEAT vision and is woven throughout the EYFS – Y11 curriculum. GATSBY benchmarks support the development and progression of NEAT pupils to raise aspirations. The enhancement of employability skills and progression enables our pupils to reach their potential beyond academia.
Sustainability
Sustainability is taught across the curriculum. For example RE and Geography covers climate change and the impact on society, science covers the wider environmental changes and idea of how to counteract human impact. Throughout our educational programme we aim to create socially responsible global citizens that can shape a sustainable future.