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Personal Development

Personal Development at Falmouth School

At Falmouth School our Personal Development curriculum is an integral aspect of our commitment to fostering well-educated and rounded young adults. We believe in striking a balance between a rigorous academic education and the promotion of outstanding personal development. Our approach ensures that students are not only academically proficient but also equipped with the skills and attributes needed for success in the broader spectrum of life.

Students at Falmouth school attend weekly PSHE lessons which cover the key areas of Living in the wider world, health & wellbeing and relationships. Students complete a topic each half term which is supported by the use of booklets containing the key information and activities to check for understanding. Weekly lessons are also supported by external visitors such as Devon & Cornwall Police, YZUP and Brook. In Year 9 our students also complete a healthy relationships unit covered by Barnardos specialist team.

Our Vision for Personal Development:

At Falmouth School, we go beyond academics to prepare our students for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences that await them in later life. Our focus is on cultivating confident, determined, and respectful young adults who harbor exciting and ambitious aspirations for their futures.

Key Elements of Our Personal Development Initiatives:

  1. Positive Behaviour Traits:

    • We encourage children to understand, value, and demonstrate positive behavior traits that contribute to becoming well-rounded, grounded citizens. Emphasis is placed on instilling an appreciation for the importance of long-term commitments that frame a successful and fulfilled life.

  2. Social Skills and Contribution to Society:

    • Falmouth School is dedicated to developing the skills required to function in and contribute to society. This includes acquiring social confidence, the ability to articulate points or arguments clearly and constructively, active listening to the views of others, demonstrating courtesy and good manners, and speaking persuasively to an audience.

  3. Emotional Intelligence:

    • We support the social and emotional development, fostering emotional intelligence in young people. Our goal is to help students better understand themselves, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and work on personal growth.

  4. Moral Compass and Virtues:

    • Falmouth School emphasizes the instillation and development of a moral compass, often referred to as 'virtues.' These include courage, honesty, generosity, integrity, humility, and a sense of justice, among others. We guide students on how to interact with people and understand their behavior in a meaningful and ethical manner.

  5. Empowering Future Leaders:
    • Our personal development initiatives at Falmouth School are designed to mold individuals who not only excel academically but also exhibit resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of ethics. Join us in shaping the leaders of tomorrow who are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society.

RSHE

At Falmouth School, we place a paramount importance on providing our students with comprehensive Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE). Recognizing the vital role these subjects play in the holistic development of our students, we are committed to delivering high-quality education in line with the statutory requirements set forth by the Department for Education in 2019.

Key Objectives of Our RSHE Curriculum:

  1. Framework for Sensitive Discussions:

    • We provide a thoughtful framework that encourages open and sensitive discussions, fostering an environment where students feel comfortable exploring various aspects of relationships, sex, and health.
  2. Puberty and Sexual Development:

    • Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for puberty and to impart a thorough understanding of sexual development, emphasizing the importance of health and hygiene.
  3. Development of Personal Well-being:

    • Falmouth School aims to help students develop feelings of self-respect, confidence, and empathy, nurturing their personal well-being and positive mental health.
  4. Positive Culture around Sexuality and Relationships:

    • We strive to create a positive culture surrounding issues of sexuality and relationships, promoting inclusivity, understanding, and respect among our student body.
  5. Vocabulary and Communication Skills:

    • Emphasizing the importance of communication, we teach students the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies, empowering them with effective self-expression.
  6. Comprehensive Life Skills:

    • Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of life, ensuring they can manage their academic, personal, and social lives both offline and online.
  7. Empowerment and Independence:

    • Falmouth School endeavors to empower students to be independent, fostering a sense of self-care and providing them with the knowledge to seek support when facing challenges.
  8. Building Resilient Individuals:

    • We aspire to build resilient, happy, successful, productive, kind, generous, and honest individuals, instilling qualities that contribute to their personal and societal well-being.
  9. Support for Student Well-being:

    • Prioritizing student well-being, our curriculum offers mechanisms to cope with stress and supports the development of effective learning strategies while helping students avoid distractions.
  10. Inclusivity and Tailored Provision:

    • Falmouth School ensures that our RSHE curriculum is inclusive of all students, tailoring provision to meet the unique needs and situations of every student within our community.

Defining Relationships and Sex Education:

We define relationships education as learning about the physical, social, legal, and emotional aspects of human relationships, including friendships, intimate, sexual, and committed relationships, and family life.

Similarly, we define sex education as learning about the physical, social, legal, and emotional aspects of human sexuality and behavior, encompassing human reproduction, conception, contraception, safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, and sexual health.

These definitions are informed by the Sex Education Forum, the PSHE Association, and consultations with our educational leadership team and those directly responsible for delivering RSHE content. At Falmouth School, we are dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment where students can flourish academically and personally.