At St. Hild’s Church of England School, we place personal development at the heart of our educational approach, believing that true success goes beyond academic achievement. Guided by Christ’s promise of “Life in all its fullness” (John 10:10), we aim to nurture each pupil’s emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual growth, empowering them to lead fulfilling lives. Our personal development vision ensures that pupils develop the resilience, character, and confidence to thrive in modern Britain and beyond.

Our vision is to create a thriving, inclusive community where every pupil is encouraged to discover their potential and pursue a life of purpose, fulfilment, and success. Our personal development vision is rooted in our core Christian values of:

• Responsible
• Resilient
• Honest
• Respectful
• Inclusive
• Ambitious

We are committed to developing individuals who are not only academically accomplished but also emotionally resilient and equipped to face the challenges of life with integrity and confidence. These values form the foundation of our personal development approach, ensuring that pupils learn the importance of empathy, honesty, fairness, and responsibility in their interactions with others.

We dedicate 1 hour a week and 30 minutes of daily Focus time to our PD offer. Focus Time includes a scheduled and progressive programme of reading, wellbeing, spiritually and advocacy and life skills including the value of punctuality and attendance.

Through a comprehensive approach to personal development, we integrate this vision into all aspects of school life. From collective worship to PSHE lessons, and from leadership opportunities to extracurricular activities, every opportunity is designed to help pupils grow spiritually, socially, and emotionally. This ensures that they leave St. Hild’s as well-rounded individuals, compassionate and capable of leading lives of purpose and service.

Our values are further reinforced through our community in Hartlepool. The spirit of care, respect, and responsibility, integral to both our school and town, shapes our students’ character and approach to life. Hartlepool’s resilience, shaped by its rich maritime history, and its tight-knit community, inspire our pupils to embody the same perseverance and determination in their lives. From the historic Headland to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, the town’s history provides pupils with a sense of identity and pride, grounding them in values of hard work and community service. This connection to Hartlepool’s heritage instils in our pupils the importance of contributing meaningfully to both local and global communities.

In our approach to education and personal development, we embrace the relational philosophy of the 3Es: Engage, Explain, Expect. We actively involve our pupils in their learning journey, sparking curiosity and fostering critical thinking. By engaging pupils with exciting, thought-provoking content, we create an environment where they feel motivated to explore and learn. We ensure that pupils understand the purpose behind their learning by providing clear explanations, helping them connect their studies with real-world applications. Finally, we set high expectations for all our pupils, encouraging them to strive for excellence in everything they do, providing the support and guidance they need to achieve their goals.

At St. Hild’s, we believe that personal development prepares pupils to navigate life’s complexities with a strong moral compass and the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to society. It’s about fostering a sense of self-worth, building relationships, and equipping pupils to make positive choices in all areas of their lives.

We celebrate the importance of each pupil’s personal journey, ensuring they are supported to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop resilience. This approach allows every pupil to flourish academically and personally, equipping them with the skills to thrive and contribute to their community and beyond.