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Personal Development
At Hartismere our curriculum and wider work:
- extends beyond the academic, technical or vocational and provides for pupils’ broader development, enabling them to develop and discover their interests and talents
- supports pupils to develop their character – including their resilience, confidence and independence – and helps them know how to keep physically and mentally healthy
- prepares pupils for future success in their next steps
- prepares pupils for life in modern Britain by: equipping them to be responsible, respectful, active citizens who contribute positively to society; developing their understanding of fundamental British values (FBV); developing their understanding and appreciation of diversity; celebrating what we have in common and promoting respect for the different protected characteristics as defined in law
- supports parents in talking to their children about challenging issues
In our work we develop the ‘building blocks of character’ (intellectual, moral, civic and performance virtues) necessary to help develop ‘flourishing individuals and society’.
Intellectual virtues | Moral virtues | Civic virtues | Performance virtues |
Character traits needed for right action and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding | Character traits that enable us to act well in situations that require an ethical response | Character traits that are necessary for engaged, responsible citizenship, contributing to the common good | Character traits that have an instrumental value in enabling the intellectual, moral and civic virtues |
autonomy, critical thinking, curiosity, judgement, reasoning, reflection, resourcefulness | compassion, courage, gratitude, honesty, humility, integrity, justice, respect | citizenship, civility, community awareness, neighbourliness, service, volunteering | confidence, determination, motivation, perseverance, resilience, teamwork |
Flourishing individuals and society |
These virtues are:
- Caught: the school community of both staff and students provide the example, culture, and inspirational influence in a positive ethos that motivates and promotes character development. Setting good examples - “I do; We do; You do”
- Taught: the school provides educational experiences in and out of the classroom that equip students with the language, knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes that enable character development. Quality first teaching - “How? What? Why?”
- Sought: the school provides varied opportunities that generate the formation of personal habits and character commitments. These help students over time to seek, desire and freely pursue their character development.
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CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance) Including: Careers Fair - 14 March 2024 Careers Information for Parents Careers Information for Pupils Careers Information for Teachers Information for Employers
Service & Leadership Including: Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Pastoral Programme Including: Tutor Time (Life Lessons) House Weeks
SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural) Learning Including: National SMSC Quality Mark - Gold
In this section...
See also...
Design and Technology: Literacy
Essential programming skills to learn
Explore...
Remote education provision: information for pupils, parents and carers
Hartismere Ofsted Report 2014 : Consecutively 'Outstanding'
Hartismere Family Privacy Notice
A levels: pre-reading and research materials
Do you want to work in The creative Industries when you leave school?
Application for Remission from Charges/School Uniform Support
New...
Key Stage 3 practical sessions information - updated for February 2025
Discover...
Parent Information Student Information Notices Staff Information Personal Development SMSC Leadership Pastoral Curriculum Biology Key Stage 3 Programme Of Study SEND Design Technology Spanish Examinations Required Practicals Bullying Higher Year 12 Physics Reading GCSE CS AS Psychology
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