SMSC and Personal Development Overview

Vision:

At Brunel School, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to develop not only academically, but also as a confident, reflective and responsible member of society.

Through our trauma-informed, relational approach, we support pupils to develop their understanding of themselves, others and the wider world. SMSC development is embedded across our curriculum, therapeutic practice, enrichment opportunities and daily interactions. It underpins our commitment to preparing pupils for successful, fulfilling lives beyond school.

We recognise that many of our pupils have experienced disrupted education and adversity. As a result, SMSC development is intentionally planned to build self-awareness, emotional literacy, resilience, belonging and positive relationships.

Our Personal Development Motto

Safe Today, Safe Tomorrow

This principle underpins our Personal Development curriculum and reflects our commitment to ensuring that pupils develop the knowledge, skills, resilience and confidence needed to keep themselves safe, contribute positively to society and thrive in adulthood.

Our Core Concepts

At Brunel School, SMSC, British Values and Personal Development are connected through our core curriculum concepts:

• Equality
• Diversity
• Rights
• Responsibilities

These concepts provide a consistent thread throughout the curriculum and school life, helping pupils understand themselves, their relationships with others and their role within society.

Spiritual Development

Pupils develop:

• Self-awareness and emotional literacy
• Confidence and a positive sense of identity
• Reflection on personal experiences and growth
• Curiosity about the world around them
• Understanding of meaning, belonging and purpose
• Appreciation of nature and the environment

This is supported through therapeutic approaches, reflection opportunities, creative arts, outdoor learning and celebration of personal achievement.

Moral Development

Pupils develop:

• Understanding of right and wrong
• Accountability for choices and actions
• Empathy and compassion
• Conflict resolution skills
• Understanding of fairness and justice

This is supported through restorative practice, behaviour reflection, PSHE, ethical discussions and leadership opportunities.

Social Development

Pupils develop:

• Positive relationships
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Understanding of social expectations
• Resilience and self-regulation
• Preparation for employment and adulthood

This is supported through group activities, careers education, work encounters, student voice opportunities and community engagement.

Cultural Development

Pupils develop:

• Respect for diversity and difference
• Understanding of different cultures, beliefs and traditions
• Appreciation of Britain’s diverse society
• Awareness of protected characteristics
• Understanding of life in modern Britain

This is supported through curriculum experiences, themed events, visitors, workshops, educational visits and enrichment activities.

Pupils explore a wide range of cultures and heritages through art, music, literature and food. Visiting specialists, including African drumming workshops, provide opportunities to celebrate cultural diversity and broaden understanding of different traditions and perspectives.

British Values Through Rights Respecting Schools

British Values are promoted throughout our curriculum and through our commitment to the Rights Respecting Schools framework.

This work is closely aligned with our core curriculum concepts of equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities. These concepts ensure that British Values are embedded, revisited and applied meaningfully in real contexts.

Pupils develop understanding of:

• Democracy
• Rule of Law
• Individual Liberty
• Mutual Respect
• Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs

Our Rights Respecting approach enables pupils to understand that rights are accompanied by responsibilities. Through student voice, restorative practice and participation opportunities, pupils learn how respectful citizenship can positively influence their communities.

The promotion of pro-social awareness, respectful relationships and active citizenship supports pupils to understand their responsibilities towards others and their role within society.

Broadening Horizons and Building Cultural Capital

We are committed to ensuring pupils experience the wider world beyond their immediate community.

Pupils participate in small-group educational visits to museums, galleries and places of cultural significance in both Exeter and London. These visits allow pupils to engage with history, culture, democracy and diversity in meaningful and memorable ways.

Particular priority is given to disadvantaged and Pupil Premium pupils to ensure equitable access to enrichment opportunities and cultural experiences.

The school has applied to participate in the Turing Scheme, further reflecting our commitment to widening horizons, raising aspirations and increasing opportunities for our young people.

Brunel School has partnered with a mentoring scheme through Youth Sport England and the Wimbledon Foundation. We have worked closely with our allocated Paralympian, Kate Agar.

These experiences help pupils develop confidence, curiosity, cultural awareness and ambition for the future.

Community Awareness and Respectful Citizenship

Our curriculum actively promotes respectful citizenship through the core concepts of equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities.

Pupils participate in community litter-picking initiatives, environmental projects and wider pro-social activities, helping them develop civic responsibility, empathy and pride in their local area.

Student voice opportunities (Pupil Voice Panel) , restorative approaches and Rights Respecting Schools work encourage pupils to understand that rights are accompanied by responsibilities and that active participation can create positive change.

Safety, Independence and Life Skills

Preparation for adulthood is woven throughout the curriculum.

Pupils are explicitly taught how to access and use community facilities safely and confidently, including leisure centres, public services and local amenities.

Living within a coastal community provides valuable opportunities for contextual learning. Through partnership work with lifeguards at Teignmouth Beach, pupils learn about water safety, coastal hazards, risk awareness and emergency response procedures, helping them understand how to stay safe in their local environment.

Through the Personal Development curriculum, pupils learn to identify risk, make informed decisions and develop the confidence needed to navigate life safely and independently.

The Flat at Brunel school provides pupils with the opportunity to learn independent living opportunities, such as sorting washing, fitting duvet covers, bed making and meal planning withing budgets.

Outdoor Education and Enrichment

Our Outdoor Education programme provides significant opportunities for challenge, personal growth, resilience and teamwork.

Pupils develop:

• Leadership skills
• Independence
• Problem-solving abilities
• Resilience
• Confidence
• Teamwork and communication

The introduction of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme further strengthens this offer, enabling pupils to gain valuable accreditation while developing independence, leadership, service and community engagement.

These experiences contribute significantly to pupils’ confidence, aspirations and preparation for adulthood.

Careers, Aspirations and Future Destinations

Personal Development is closely aligned with our Careers Education programme and wider preparation for adulthood pathways.

Through careers education, employer encounters, workplace experiences and meaningful work-related learning, pupils develop an understanding of future opportunities and pathways.

This work connects seamlessly with the school’s SI programme and destination planning, ensuring that pupils are equipped with the confidence, skills and aspirations required for successful transition into education, employment or training.

The curriculum is designed to raise aspirations, develop employability skills and help pupils make informed choices about their futures.

Impact

As a result of our SMSC and Personal Development provision, pupils develop:

• Greater self-awareness and emotional literacy
• Improved resilience and self-regulation
• Positive and respectful relationships
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Confidence to participate in their communities
• Knowledge of how to keep themselves safe
• Independence and preparation for adulthood
• Ambition for their future destinations
• Understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens
• The knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in modern Britain

Impact is evidenced clearly within the Social Emotional Growth Profiles, AQA Unit Awards, EHCP outcome and personal learning goals tracking process.

Summary

At Brunel School, SMSC and Personal Development are not separate initiatives but a coherent journey that develops self-awareness, resilience, respectful citizenship and independence.

Through our trauma-informed approach, Rights Respecting Schools work, enrichment programme and core concepts of equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities, we equip pupils to be Safe Today, Safe Tomorrow; prepared not only for success in school, but for positive participation in their communities and adult life. This is represented in the logo that captures the Brunel School reaching above and beyond school.