Personal Development is a holistic term relating to a range of curriculum subject areas and other whole school provisions, such as; PSHE education (and statutory RSHE) and Citizenship, ways in which a school develops pupils’ ‘character’; SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development; British values; inclusion and extra-curricular opportunities.

At Byker Primary School, we believe that our Personal Development offer is of the highest quality.

 

Collective Worship Overview

At Byker Primary school, we feel that regular collective worship benefits the school and whole community by developing a sense of belonging. It can add value to the education process by encouraging children to develop their awareness of the universal principles of right and wrong, justice, fairness and concern for the fate of others and the world. During this time, children are able to consider and reflect on their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and deliberate over current world affairs and issues.

To ensure that a quality experience is provided, we believe that collective worship should be well planned and effectively led. The entire school use a quote from ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse’ by Charlie Mackesy to plan class collective worship from in an age appropriate manner.

We are able to develop our understanding of the quote throughout the week and can draw on our experiences of each issue. This special time of reflection is marked in different ways.

Relational Circles

At Byker primary School relationships are key.  We devote daily time to whole class relational circles to allow all pupils time to regulate when entering school, work through social and emotional issues that arise for the individual, class or school in a safe manner.

No Outsiders

Inclusive education, promoting community cohesion to prepare young people and adults for life as global citizens.

At Byker Primary School we are working towards being a No Outsiders school.

Our No Outsiders programme is delivered as part of our PSHE Curriculum and Personal Development offer. Children are taught about protected characteristics through a range of engaging and age appropriate picture books. There are then opportunities for discussion, debate and learning tasks linked to the themes explored.

Everyone is welcome in our school.

No one is the same but everyone is equal.

  

 

Outdoor Play

We are working to develop outdoor play for all children school wide.  This holistic approach and continuous provision offer extended beyond early years is something we are invested in developing across 2025-26.  Our bespoke play-based offer includes the following zones:

• Den Building
• Wheeled toys
• Loose Part play
• Dressing up and performance
• PE and Sport Equipment
• Edible Garden
• Woodland

Afterschool Enhancement offer

We work with multiple external providers and charities to ensure all children have access to after school activities.  We offer a range of clubs accessible to all across the school week, ranging in skill and curriculum theme.  Some of our clubs include:

• REcyke a bike
• Gymnastics
• Boxing
• Dance
• Eco Warriors
• Comupting Club
• NEST-English
• Book Club
• Science Club
• Hat-Trick
• NUFC
• Chance to Shine Cricket
• Choir
• Glow in the dark Dodgeball
• Netball
• Running club for the whole family (every Thursday and Tuesday morning)

Educational Trips and Visits

Byker Primary School offers an extensive offer of educational visits and trips that are closely aligned with our curriculum goals and opportunities to enhance pupils' Cultural Capital.  This includes onsite and offsite residential visits.

 

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC)

Our Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural offer is interwoven into daily life and experiences within our school. We are proud of our Religious Education curriculum offer which provides a knowledge-rich basis from which children can make sense of the religious diversity within their local community and wider world.

Our children demonstrate strong morality and social consciousness. They are kind to one another and understand each other’s differences. Children from all different year groups play together. They look out for one another. This warmness resonates throughout school and follows our ethos of being a school of sanctuary.

We value our families and their contribution to the social and cultural experience of our children. Regular whole-school events bring us all together. We know that together we can make a difference.

Wider Opportunities

Our offer of wider opportunities goes beyond the scope of the National Curriculum to enhance our pupils’ experiences, life-skills and cultural capital. A selection of our wider opportunities:

• Cycling Proficiency
• Swimming and water safety
• Author Visits
• Competitive sporting events
• Dogs Trust Workshops
• Children's First Aid
• Healthy Active Lifestyle events
• Parliament Trip
• Partnership with The Lighthouse Project

Careers

Through our curriculum and wider personal development offer, we aim to harness aspirations and open our pupils’ eyes even wider to their future possibilities. We discuss and celebrate significant artists, historians, sportspeople and scientists as part of our core and foundation curriculums.

Our yearly STEM week provides a framework for focusing on jobs for the future, as we welcome parents and friends from our community to share and inspire the next generation. We harness additional opportunities to raise aspirations, such as enabling our pupils to become involved in the recent expansion and refurbishment of our school site.