Graphic image of a man climbing atop a ladder to water a plant growing inside a person's mind to represent the topic of Personal Development.

Personal Development

PD is at the heart of our school journey. It encourages, promotes, adopts and embeds a range of skills that allows children to be lifelong learners. An overview of our PSHE/RSE curriculum, including British Values and Diversity can be found on the link below.

Personal Development
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Wellbeing & Mental Health

Wellbeing and mental health is embedded throughout the school and its curriculum. At Leigh Academy Dartford, wellbeing is at the heart of what we do. It is important that children are encouraged and supported to look after their mental health every day.

Wellbeing & Mental Health
Graphic image of four people of varying skin colours holding their hands together in a box shape to represent the topic of Global Citizenship.

Global Citizenship

We offer a wide variety of clubs, events, trips and other opportunities which supports our PD programme to help create global citizens.

Global Citizenship
Wellbeing Award for Schools 2023-2026 logo

Personal Development

PSHE/RSE

Intent

At Leigh Academy Dartford, we deliver a cohesive ‘whole school’ approach to our PSHE and RSE curriculum. This equips the children with the essential knowledge and skills needed for them to play an increasingly positive role in both their local community and the wider world. It is planned to give pupils the knowledge and skills which are set out in the National Curriculum and even goes beyond this by giving them the opportunities to reflect on real life scenarios they might face later in life. Our curriculum is designed so that, regardless of need or background, every child acquires the knowledge and skills to be successful in the wider world, becoming responsible and confident individuals. This is delivered through the PYP framework which allows the children to access PSHE through a cross curricular model as well as the six topics taught throughout the year. Through this, the children will be encouraged to develop their own self-worth and start to recognise their own roles as well as develop the characteristics of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profiles. The PSHE and RSE curriculums have been progressively and sequentially planned to ensure that the knowledge and skills build upon previous years as the children move through the school. Our children will gain an understanding into how they are developing personally and socially, whilst simultaneously taking into consideration the moral, social and cultural issues that they may face growing up. The curriculum addresses the local context of Dartford. For instance, we provide children with opportunities to learn about their rights and responsibilities and develop an appreciation of what it means to be a member of such a diverse community. The children will be prepared for life in modern Britain and will be taught the importance of mutual respect, tolerance and democracy. Our curriculum is taught through the International Baccalaureate philosophy and we will deliver this to a high standard, providing our children with essential life skills, which will help them to succeed later in life.

PSHE and RSE are taught across the school continuously during lessons, assemblies, school clubs, school events and break times. This all helps to ensure that knowledge and skills are embedded which the children can then draw on during school and throughout the rest of their lives. Our well-structured approach combines various sources, including that of the PSHE Association, Jigsaw, and the Christopher Winter Project, to enable a thorough model in delivering our curriculum. Teachers have sound knowledge and have CPD opportunities to improve their own knowledge of PSHE and RSE, to ensure that the children access our curriculum to the fullest. Both PSHE and RSE are planned and taught to ensure inclusivity, so that all pupils, including those with SEND will be able to access the content that is appropriate for them and their needs. The six topics which are taught and assessed throughout the year are: Dreams and Goals, Relationships, Keeping Healthy, Celebrating Difference, Keeping Safe and Change. Each class creates a journal that includes examples of work undertaken throughout the term. These provide evidence of learning and are a tool to promote discussion with the children about their learning. Each of these corresponds to a particular IB learner profile:

  • Dreams and Goals – Inquirer
  • Relationships – Caring
  • Keeping Healthy – Balanced
  • Celebrating Difference – Open-minded
  • Keeping Safe – Reflective
  • Change – Knowledgeable

In EYFS, the provision is planned to ensure development in Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) which occurs daily. Within this provision, children will explore the ideas of relationships, feelings and appropriate behaviours, self-confidence and self-awareness, rules and routines, empathy and restorative justice. In KS1 and KS2, children will delve into our six outlined topics and each year the group builds on pupils’ previous knowledge. Throughout the year, children will be presented with a range of opportunities to explore the world and relationships relevant to their age group.

By the end of a child’s time at Leigh Academy Dartford, they will be a happy, confident and responsible individual. The impact will be seen through their positive interactions with one another and their healthy outlook towards school and the wider community. They will have an understanding and acceptance of how people in a community can be different and celebrate this. Children will be aware of how their own actions, as well as the actions of others, matter and will confidently apply their understanding of the world to deal with situations responsibly. All pupils, including disadvantaged students and students with SEND, will acquire the cultural capital that they need to succeed later in life, as the curriculum ensures that they are ready for the next stage of education. This will be done through the various opportunities that arise from our lessons, assemblies, school clubs, school events and break times. Furthermore, through the RSE curriculum, our children should gain a deeper understanding of their own bodies and how they will change and develop as they grow up. When a child leaves us, the knowledge and skills learnt through PSHE/RSE will support them on their journey to becoming a well-rounded individual, capable of making well-informed decisions.

IB Learner Profile

The values of the IB Learner profile are embedded at Leigh Academy Dartford through our practices, environment, and culture.  Staff model positive values, allowing pupils to develop a common vocabulary and reflective practices through the IB values.  Our ambition for all pupils to be determined, persistent achievers, aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people.  The impact of such values is clearly seen through our pupils’ behaviour, creativity, and desire to participate actively in our community.

What is the IB Learner Profile?

The aim of the learner profile is to develop internationally minded citizens who, recognise their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.

Through our curriculum design and teaching we explore every opportunity to embed the skills and attributes to be successful both in school and the world around us.  By strengthening these core values and attributes we help develop your child for the next stage of their learning and also for the future world before them.  Your child will be a responsible member of their local, national, and global community.

IB Learner values are taught through our structured assembly programme, allowing pupils the opportunity to explore and debate to strengthen their understanding.  Our curriculum is linked closely to these values and planned across all year groups.  All special events, led through our LAD inquiry days, promote the values of the IB Learner profile and allow pupils the opportunity to reflect on the values and their experiences.

Children also teach each other about the values through class assemblies to parents and pupil actions, whereby students take independent action based on their curriculum learning, to make a difference.

International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Values

Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural (SMSC)

SMSC plays a vital role in the holistic personal development of Key Stage 2 learners. By nurturing spiritual well-being, instilling moral values, fostering positive social interactions, and promoting cultural understanding, SMSC education lays the foundation for the Determined, Persistent Achiever. This comprehensive approach helps children develop a strong sense of identity, a moral compass, and the social skills needed to navigate a global world. Prioritising SMSC in education ensures that children not only excel academically but also grow into well-rounded individuals equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Composer of the Month

In every module, we explore and celebrate the rich diversity of global music by highlighting a different composer from around the world.

Click here to view the presentation

Democratic Decision

In each module, we foster a dynamic learning environment through our unique democratic decision assemblies. Children actively engage in thoughtful debates on significant topics, exploring diverse perspectives before casting their votes. Witness the remarkable maturity, curiosity, and tolerance of our pupils as they navigate discussions, ensuring that every voice is heard and contributing to the development of well-informed, open-minded individuals.

Click here to view the presentation

British Values

As part of the broad and balanced curriculum we offer at Leigh Academy Dartford, we have a commitment to promote fundamental British values as part of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our children.

Children that come to Leigh Academy Dartford will learn about British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

  • Through our transdisciplinary themes and national curriculum delivery, children learn about the advantages and disadvantages of democracy and how it works in Britain, in contrast to other forms of government in other countries.
  • All children within the Academy have a voice and are listened to; we actively promote democratic processes by holding school council and house captain elections, whose members are voted for by the children.
  • Organise visits to the local council and Parliament
  • Hold ‘mock elections’ to promote fundamental British values and provide children with the opportunity to learn how to argue and defend points of view.
  • Help pupils to express their views
  • Ensure Academy rules and expectations are clear and fair through our ‘Green to Go’ behaviour management system. This system encourages children to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative and to understand how they can contribute positively to life at Leigh Academy Dartford.
  • Help children to distinguish right from wrong.
  • Help children to respect the law and the basis on which it is made.
  • Help children to understand that living under the rule of law protects individuals.
  • Include visits from outside agencies in the curriculum to teach children about road safety and public services such as the Police.
  • Teach children aspects of both civil and criminal law and discuss how this might differ from some religious laws.
  • Support children to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence.
  • Encourage children to take responsibility for their behaviour, as well as knowing their rights.
  • Children to have freedom of speech, challenge stereotypes and has built a strong anti-bullying culture at our Academy.
  • Promote respect for individual differences by discussing differences between people, such as differences of faith, ethnicity, disability and gender.
  • Help children to acquire an understanding of, and respect for, their own and other cultures and ways of life.
  • Challenge prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
  • Organise visits to places of worship.

Equality & Diversity

Leigh Academy Dartford is located in North West Kent in a diverse social, economic and cultural area. Students are therefore growing up in an increasingly multicultural society where they are subject to various attitudes towards different groups and certain images portrayed in the media and online.

At Leigh Academy Dartford we are committed to the elimination of unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to foster good relations between all.

We aim to:

  • Actively close gaps in attainment and progress between all groups of students; especially students eligible for free-school meals, students with special educational needs and disabilities, looked after children and students from minority ethnic groups. 
  • Use the IB Primary Years Programme throughout the academy to place an emphasis on students being global citizens, part of their local communities and the wider global community. Provide the regular opportunity for discussion and debate learning how to respectfully put across the opinions and values of others.
  • Identify opportunities in the curriculum to look at other cultures/countries, study famous people from ethnic minorities and with a variety of abilities and to celebrate diversity. Ensuring that the curriculum across all subjects are culturally diverse to reflect modern Britain.
  • Provide learning environments that are welcoming, safe and respectful of learners from all communities. 
  • To promote cultural development and understanding through a rich range of experiences both in and beyond the curriculum.
  • Ensure that an inclusive environment is promoted that means every child regardless of gender, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, age or disability is accepted and valued.
  • Ensure children have an age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships in RSE.

Wellbeing & Mental Health

Wellbeing

At Leigh Academy Dartford, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. Please click the link to find out more.

Wellbeing at Leigh Academy Dartford

Healthy Schools

At Leigh Academy Dartford we believe leading a healthy active lifestyle is imperative for our pupils. Physical activity and good nutrition helps children: achieve a healthy body weight, build strong bones, muscles and joints and develop fundamental movement skills. As well as caring for their education we also care for their mental health and wellbeing and feel that it is essential to provide children with information to enable them to make life long, well informed decisions about their diet and health.

We recognise the connection between a pupil’s ability to learn effectively and achieve high standards in school – well nourished pupils are more receptive to teaching and will learn better. Healthy eating habits learnt during childhood are usually continued throughout life and these healthy behaviours can help reduce the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, iron deficiency, heart disease and some cancers. It is important that at school, they have every opportunity to access healthy food and to learn in an environment that supports healthy eating.

Healthy Schools at Leigh Academy Dartford

Global Citizenship

After School Clubs

For the latest information on our After School Clubs, please click below:

View our After School Clubs

Global Citizens & Responsibility

Alongside preparing your child for the next phase in their education, we seek to provide opportunities to enable your child to be a leader and develop their personal skills also. We understand that leadership skills are important and encourage children to take on roles as often as possible.

Our School Council

Determined Persistent Achievers 

Our academy council is full of hard-working, dynamic individuals who have been voted for by their peers. This creates a central group that speaks on behalf of the whole school and makes decisions about school life. We value the opinions of our pupils and the School Council gives pupils a forum to share these opinions with the Headteacher and other members of staff.

Learning to Change the World  

Each child has a specific role to play in our school council. Our chairperson leads the group in discussions, whilst someone else records the minutes. We then send these minutes to the leadership team of the school for approval. The ideas come from the children but it is also an opportunity to discuss new ideas the school has to see what the children think. This model provides LAD with two-way communication and ensures that our children have a voice.

Sports Captains 

Determined Persistent Achievers 

Sports leaders have been chosen to create, encourage and inspire children at our school. With the help of our sports coach, we lead children in games as well as introduce them to new ones. We encourage them to be risk-takers by learning new things and get them to connect by playing with new people. We also help children to make the right choices during lunchtime so that they understand how to play to the rules.

Learning to Change the World  

By setting a good example to younger children and showing them how to play safely whilst enjoying games at lunchtime. We are learning leadership skills as well as providing a variety of games for everyone to enjoy.

Digital Champions 

Determined Persistent Achievers 

At LAD we have digital champions whose job it is to help support children from Nursery to Year 6 with their computing knowledge and skills. We think carefully about the digital world we live in, and support children with online safety. We will be working with children and teachers to ensure that everyone at LAD knows how to use technology safely and respectfully, keep their personal information private and know where to go for help and support if they ever have a worry or concern. We help influence decisions about digital matters at our school and gain pupil perspective about how we can make a difference at Leigh Academy Dartford. 

Learning to Change the World  

Our aim is to spread new knowledge and skills across our school. We are working to become experts in computing so that we can support both children and staff with new programmes, equipment and resources. Throughout the year we will be holding assemblies, running events such as ‘Safer Internet Day’ and “Anti-bullying week” which link to cyberbullying. We also provide educational videos for other children and staff!

Playground Buddies

Determined Persistent Achievers  

LAD currently has a fantastic Playground Buddy team, with buddies starting in Year 2 and going all the way up to Year 6. The buddies carry out their role during play times and lunchtimes and have been trained to support children who may feel worried, anxious, cross or upset. The Playground Buddies wear blue caps so that they can be easily recognised by the children at school. The aim of the scheme is to encourage children to be good role models and it is essential in creating a safe, friendly, happy and peaceful atmosphere for our children during play times and lunchtimes. It also gives them some feeling of responsibility. Not only do they help to make the playground a happy place for all the children, but they also offer great help to the staff on duty at lunch.

Learning to Change the World  

Buddies will be on hand to help pupils who have fallen over, sort out minor playground disagreements fairly, instigate suitable age-appropriate games, encourage shy children to join in or simply keep them company, informing staff when there are problems. They set a good example by being caring and principled to others. The Playground Buddy scheme has several benefits:

  • It gives the children a chance to have responsibility.
  • It encourages them to care for the people in their community.
  • It ensures that there are no children feeling lonely or isolated on the playground.
  • There are opportunities for the children to participate in a variety of playtime games and activities.
  • It encourages self-esteem in all our children as they become valued members of our school community.

Life Skills & Experiences

Click here for information on Life Skills and Experiences

Academy Sports

At Leigh Academy Dartford, we believe in providing a diverse range of rich learning experiences for our children that deepen their understanding and raise their aspirations. We have a huge variety of enrichment activities that aim to enhance our curriculum and foster new skills and talents in each child.

Leigh Academy Dartford offers a broad and balanced PE curriculum, as well as a wide range of clubs and activities, which are held at lunchtime and after school.

Click here to view more information