Personal Development

Personal Development at Lathom – our intent

“I am not what has happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” Carl Jung

Our aims through our Personal Development programme are to ensure that, at both key stages, all students:

• are PROUD of who they are, where they come from and what they achieve, both academically and socially
• have aspirations and goals and strive to be their best
• are able to experience and embrace the world they live in and demonstrate tolerance and understanding of themselves and others
• are resilient, determined and confident
• know how to look after themselves, eat healthily, maintain healthy relationships, have an active lifestyle and keep physically and mentally healthy
• gain a diverse range of skills, knowledge and life experiences which will make sure that they are ready to take on the world

“I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul” William Ernest Henley INVICTUS

Our PROUD values

The word PROUD is at the heart of everything we do and everything we ask of our students, staff, parents and wider community. Our mantra is ‘work hard, be kind’ and our PROUD values help us to do just that. Our values of Perseverance, Responsibility, Ownership, Understanding and Determination are traditional values which underpin everything we do at Lathom. We know that they help our students to be the best that they can be in all aspects of life.

Our Personal Development Curriculum

Our Personal Development Curriculum across key stages 3 and 4 is a continuous development of knowledge, skill and experience, which underpins our broad academic curriculum offer. By regularly going beyond the expected to give all of our students access to a wide, rich set of experiences and extra-curricular activities, we seek to broaden their horizons, drive their aspirations for their future and foster resilience, confidence and strength of character. We strive to develop their understanding of who they are, of their place in the world and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity.

Personal Development is taught both discretely through PROUD days, tutor time and assemblies but is also embedded in everything we do in school across the curriculum.

Key Stage Three

At KS3 students work through the Personal Development Honours Programme; with a focus on developing skills, knowledge and experiences through their life at Lathom to support them to become resilient, organised and independent learners, and to foster a sense of social responsibility. This will be evidenced through a Personal Development Portfolio.

Key Stage Four

At KS4 students progress on to the Personal Development Aspirations Programme; here the aim is more focussed on preparation for life after Lathom. Students will be offered a wide range of Careers opportunities to allow them to make the right decisions for their own future. They will also continue to develop skills and qualities around our PROUD values, and be taught Relationships and Sex Education , Financial Management and Citizenship.

Enrichment Opportunities

Every curriculum area seeks to provide enrichment opportunities which enhance and support the students’ learning experience in their subject while also giving students access to experiences which enhance their personal development. Further details of some of these opportunities are outlined in the subject pages on our website.

We support our ‘Life at Lathom’ offer. This is a list of 40 experiences guaranteed for every Lathom student during their time here, to make sure that they are ‘ready to take on the world’. Compiled by our students, parents, staff and governors, our ‘Life at Lathom’ list provides a wide and diverse range of life experiences including learning First Aid and CPR, experiencing live theatre and classical music, meeting people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds, experience of the world of work, outdoor learning, trips and visits and facing our fears.

Our extra-curricular programme is rich and diverse. All students are expected to attend additional sessions as part of their Personal Development Honours and Aspirations Programmes. Full details of the extra-curricular timetable are available by clicking on the link below:

Extra Curricular Timetable

How to Support Your Child’s Learning

Support your child with homework. Ask them questions about what they are learning about in Tutor Time, in assemblies and in the activities they take part in on PROUD days. Talk to them about how it applies to their lives, and to the real world around them; discuss and explore issues in the world that surrounds your child and allow them to express opinions and consider whether they want to find out more about topics of interest. Watch documentaries, films and news programmes with them and talk about how they feel about both real and fictional events. Ask them to consider issues and events from another person’s perspective and to be open, honest and resilient in taking care of themselves and of their physical and mental health and wellbeing.

What to watch

• The Dumping Ground – This CBBC series revolves around the life of children in the Ashdene Ridge (previously Elm Tree House) care home; typically, each episode follows one or more characters' life. The Dumping Ground deals with issues related to the care system as well as social issues such as friendships, family, relationships, mental health, adolescence and LGBT parenting
• Jamie Johnson – This CBBC series follows Jamie's experience at his new school, Kingsmount. We see how his friendships progress, whilst he struggles to deal with the unknown surroundings of his father, who has split up with his mother. Jamie fights for a place in the school football team. The series covers topics such as bullying, divorce, friendship, and sportsmanship
• One Day at a Time – This Netflix show revolves around a Cuban-American family living in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Echo Park, focusing on a single mother who is an Army veteran dealing with PTSD, her kids and her Cuban mother. The re-imagination of the original CBS sitcom tackles issues like mental illness, immigration, sexism, homophobia, gender identity, and racism that Latin people living in the United States face
• Love, Simon - Everyone deserves a great love story, but for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it's a little more complicated. He hasn't told his family or friends that he's gay, and he doesn't know the identity of the anonymous classmate that he's fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing
• Baby Sitters Club - The ultimate in comfort entertainment, this series follows a group of suburban tweens as their babysitting gigs bring them closer to the world of adults. Fans of the old Ann M. Martin book series will get a nostalgic kick from it
• Noughts and Crosses – BBC I player – A British television series based on the novel by Malorie Blackman. The series is set in an alternative history where the ‘Crosses’ rule over the ‘Noughts’
• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – A modern adaptation of Jenny Han’s New York Times bestseller about the struggle with adolescence – streamed on Netflix
• Little Women - Based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel. A beloved story of the March sisters – four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms
• The Fault in our Stars – Based on the novel by John Green. The story follows Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old cancer patient who is forced by her parents to attend a support group, where she meets and subsequently falls in love with Augustus Waters, another cancer patient
• Wonder – Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio - The film follows a boy with Treacher Collins Syndrome trying to fit in

What to read - non-fiction to develop our understanding and help and support students and their parents/carers 

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World; Teen Edition Retold by Malala for her Own Generation - Malala Yousafzai and Patricia McCormick
We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World - Malala Yousafzai
Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice – Nikki Grimes 
Tomorrow will be a Good Day – Sir Captain Tom Moore 
You’ll Never Walk – Andy Grant 
Many Different Kinds of Love: A story of life, death and the NHS - Michael Rosen

The Teenager's Guide to Life, the Universe and Being Awesome: Super-Charge Your Life – Andy Cope
You Are Awesome – Matthew Syed
The Art of Being a Brilliant Teenager - Andy Cope
Yesss!: The SUMO Secrets to Being a Positive, Confident Teenager - Paul McGee
Positively Teenage: A positively brilliant guide to teenage well-being - Nicola Morgan
Hello Happy!: A Teenager's Guide to Creating Positive Mental Health - Eleanor Hatherley
Breathe Out: A Creative Guide to Happiness for Teen Minds (Wellbeing Guides) - MIND, Fiona Rose, et al
An Anxiety Book for Teens: An Easy To Read A-Z Anxiety Book for Teenagers (With Tips & Activities) - Ged Jenkins-Omar

The Complete Cookbook for Teens: 120+ Recipes to Level Up Your Kitchen Game - Julee Morrison

I Wish I'd Known: Young People, Drugs and Decisions: A Guide for Parents and Carers - Fiona Spargo-Mabbs and Rob Parsons
Every Parent Should Read This Book: Eleven lessons for raising a 21st-century teenager - Ben Brooks

What to read - fiction to help our understanding of who we are and our place in the world 

Boys Don’t Cry – Malorie Blackman
Noughts and Crosses – Malorie Blackman
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne 
They Both Die at the End – Adam Silvera 
The Lines We Cross – Randa Abdel-Fattah
Does My Head Look Big in This? - Randa Abdel-Fattah
Girl, Woman, Other – Bernadine Evaristo
The Boy at the Back of the Class – Onjali Rauf
Holding up the Universe – Jennifer Niven
Wonder – R.J. Palacio

Online - for students and parents 

Teenage wellbeing and mental health

YoungMinds - children and young people's mental health charity
stem4 - supporting teenage mental health
Calm - The #1 App for Meditation and Sleep
MoodGYM – Healthy Young Minds
Smiling Mind
Kooth: Home
Healthy relationships - Family Lives
Parenting teenagers - Relate

Keeping Your Child Safe Online

Net Nanny - Parental Control Software & Website Blocker | Net ...
ParentKit
SecureTeen - Best Parental Control Software to Protect Teens

Careers and Aspirations – please see the Careers section of our website for further information

National Careers Service - Careers advice - job profiles ...
Become an apprentice - GOV.UK
Careers Advice for Parents - Youth Employment UK
Careerpilot - Plan your future work & study

Exploring other cultures 

Education | National Geographic Society
Explore Google Earth.
Stories, Art and Media on Heroes Around the World | MY HERO
25 Ways To Experience Different Cultures From Home - Alajode
Malala's Story | Malala Fund
UNICEF

Preparing for life in modern Britain

Healthy eating for teens - NHS
Healthy eating: What adolescents need - BBC Good Food
How to teach teenagers about money - Money Advice Service
Money management for teens | Teaching teens about money ...
UK Parliament