Personal Development

At Warren Academy, we believe in cultivating more than just academic success – we are dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of each pupil. Beyond the traditional classroom setting, we recognize the profound significance of personal development in shaping well-rounded individuals. Our commitment goes beyond, focusing on instilling values, building character, and fostering the essential life skills that empower our young learners to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Through a comprehensive approach that embraces social, emotional, and physical dimensions, we aim to inspire a love for learning and self-discovery.

Personal Development is woven in to all aspects of school life at Warren and we pride ourselves on providing an environment for all pupils to thrive and mature into well-informed young adults. Our PSHE curriculum underpins our Personal Development curriculum as well, and includes the teaching of Relationships and Health Education (please find more information about this here).

We aim to embrace the many talents and interests of our pupils and offer a vast amount of extra-curricular opportunities based on pupil voice and regular Primary Parliament meetings.

We want our learners to feel empowered with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage life’s challenges and make the most of life’s opportunities. We aim to give our learners the knowledge and tools they need to understand how to take care of themselves, physically and mentally, and how they can stay safe and thrive in an ever changing world. 

Enrichment of the curriculum

British Values at Warren

We promote fundamental British values and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.  We reflect the religious backgrounds represented in our community in collective worship and actively promote British values, encouraging our pupils to regard people of all faiths, races and cultures with respect and tolerance.

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. At Warren, these values are reinforced regularly and in the following ways:
 

Democracy
Democracy is embedded throughout our school curriculum.  Pupils are always listened to by adults and are taught to listen carefully and with concern to each other, respecting the right of every individual to have their opinions and voices heard.  Pupils also have the opportunity to air their opinions and ideas through our Primary Parliament and pupil questionnaire.  The elections of the Primary Parliament members and Head Boy and Head Girl are based on pupils ‘voting’ in each class, reflecting our British electoral system and demonstrating democracy in action.

Celebrating UK Parliament Week

Children across school were asked for what their views were on issues in the local community and wider community, to share with local MP Tom Randell.

The Rule of Law
Within school, pupils are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment.  As a school, we educate and provide boundaries for our pupils to make choices safely, through the provision of a safe environment and an empowering education.  Our pupils are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised how to exercise these safely; examples of this can be clearly seen in our e-safety and PSHE lessons.  Whether it is through choice of challenge; of how they record; of participation in our numerous extra- curricular activities; our pupils are given the freedom to make choices and are encouraged to act responsibly and show initiative.
 
Mutual Respect
At Warren Academy, we wholeheartedly embrace this core value as we understand its profound impact on fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Teaching mutual respect not only cultivates a sense of community and belonging but also prepares our pupils for the diverse and interconnected world they will encounter beyond the school gates. By instilling the importance of respecting others’ opinions, cultures, and differences, we empower our students with the skills to collaborate effectively, appreciate diversity, and contribute positively to society. Through promoting mutual respect, we lay the foundation for a compassionate and harmonious community where every voice is valued and heard. Mutual respect links directly to our school value of ‘Compassion’.
 
Individual Liberty
As a school that holds values at the core of its ethos, our school values and behaviour policies have evolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’. The pupils have been part of discussions and collective worship related to what this means and how it is shown. Respect is one of the values that is taught explicitly within lessons, collective worship, enabling pupils to contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of our school.  It is shared with home through newsletters and website information.  Adults throughout the school model, demonstrate and promote respect for others as do older children who have suitable, age related, tasks and responsibilities and this is reiterated throughout classroom and learning rules, as well as our behaviour.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
Our core value of Respect ensures tolerance of those who have different faiths and beliefs.  Our curriculum enhances pupils’ understanding of different faiths and beliefs through religious education studies; PSHE work; welcoming visitors from other schools in order to celebrate differences and enjoying a depth of study during themed weeks. Beliefs, traditions and customs from around the world are studied, with visitors being invited into our school to enrich and extend understanding.  Through these activities, our pupils gain an enhanced understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and an understanding of the importance of identifying and combating discrimination.

After school clubs

After curricular clubs at Warren

Our after curricular club offer changes on a half-termly basis in order to provide a range and variety of clubs for pupils in F2-Year 6.

The academy also has a working partnership with Nottingham Playhouse, who facilitate the Top Valley Shine Playhouse Group with pupils in Y5 and Y6 on a weekly basis, resulting in pupils performing on the stage at the Playhouse itself.

Colleagues from Trent Bridge Cricket Club also support the school in developing cricket skills for pupils in Key Stage 2.

An example of clubs on offer at Warren during the Spring 1 term: