Personal Development at St William of Perth
At St William of Perth Catholic Primary School, we are proud to nurture every child as a unique individual made in the image of God. Personal development is at the heart of our mission — helping our pupils to grow spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally so that they can flourish both in school and in life.
Our Vision
We believe that education is not only about academic success but also about forming compassionate, confident, and responsible young people who live out our Gospel values in everything they do.
Through our rich curriculum and caring ethos, we aim to develop pupils who:
Know they are loved and valued by God.
Show respect for themselves and others.
Are resilient, curious, and ready to make a positive contribution to the world.
Understand and celebrate diversity within our community and beyond.
How We Promote Personal Development
1. Catholic Life and Collective Worship
Our faith underpins all that we do. Daily prayer, reflection, and liturgy help pupils to develop their spirituality and a sense of belonging to our school family and parish community. Children learn to put faith into action through charitable work, service projects, and living out our school mission.
2. PSHE and RSE Curriculum
Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) programmes follow a carefully planned curriculum that supports pupils’ understanding of themselves, relationships, safety, and wellbeing.
We use the ‘Ten:Ten Life to the Full’ programme, which is rooted in Catholic teaching and tailored to the age and needs of our pupils.
3. Pupil Voice and Leadership
We encourage pupils to take an active role in school life through opportunities such as:
School Council
Eco Committee
Mini Vinnies and Faith Leaders
Play Leaders and Reading Ambassadors
These experiences help pupils to develop confidence, teamwork, empathy, and leadership skills, preparing them to take responsibility and make a positive difference in our school and wider community.
4. Enrichment and Wider Opportunities
A wide range of activities enrich pupils’ learning and broaden their horizons, including:
Educational visits and residential trips
Cultural, creative, and musical experiences
Guest speakers, workshops, and themed weeks
These opportunities build character, perseverance, and a sense of joy in learning, ensuring that pupils develop an appreciation of culture, diversity, and community.
5. Extracurricular Clubs and Activities
At St William of Perth, we offer a wide-ranging extracurricular programme designed to inspire, challenge, and engage every child. Our clubs change throughout the year to reflect pupil interests and seasonal opportunities, and include:
Sports clubs – football, netball, athletics, cricket, and multi-sports
Creative clubs – art, drama, choir, and music
STEM clubs – coding, science, and problem-solving
Faith and service clubs – Mini Vinnies, Eco Team, and Chaplaincy
Academic and wellbeing clubs – homework support, reading, and mindfulness
Through participation in these activities, pupils develop teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence. Many of our older pupils act as mentors and helpers, modelling leadership and service to others.
6. Behaviour, Wellbeing and Safety
We promote positive behaviour through our ‘Virtues and Values’ approach, encouraging pupils to make wise choices and show kindness and forgiveness.
Our staff work closely with families to support emotional wellbeing, mental health, and pastoral care — ensuring that every child feels safe, listened to, and valued.
Pupils learn how to stay safe, both in the real world and online, and demonstrate a strong understanding of how to care for themselves and others.
Character Education and British Values
Through our curriculum, assemblies, and everyday life in school, we actively promote:
Democracy
The Rule of Law
Individual Liberty
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
These are embedded within our Catholic ethos and our Gospel virtues of love, respect, honesty, and service. We help pupils to become thoughtful, responsible citizens who are well prepared for life in modern Britain, with a strong sense of moral purpose and respect for the beliefs and values of others.
Measuring and Celebrating Impact
We continuously evaluate the impact of our personal development work to ensure that every child grows as a confident, compassionate individual who is ready for the next stage of their education and life. We do this through:
Pupil voice – regular feedback and discussions with pupils about their experiences, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.
Monitoring and assessment – reviewing PSHE, RSE, and collective worship to ensure provision meets pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural needs.
Celebration and recognition – weekly celebration assemblies, certificates for virtues and values, and displays that showcase pupil achievement.
Community and parent engagement – inviting parents, parish members, and visitors to share in our celebrations and contribute to our wider curriculum.
As a result, pupils at St William of Perth are confident, caring, and resilient. They understand their role in society, value difference, and strive to live out the Gospel values in their words and actions every day.
Working Together
Personal development is a partnership between home, school, and parish. We value the support of parents and carers in helping children to live out our shared values every day.
Together, we help each child to “Grow in Love, Live in Faith, and Learn for Life.”
