Personal Development
We are proud to welcome every child and family to our brilliant school
We are proud to welcome every child and family to our inclusive and ambitious school, where a caring culture ensures that pupils feel safe, valued and ready to learn. At Garras, we are committed to developing the whole child and place a strong emphasis on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. We actively encourage pupils to be curious learners who engage thoughtfully with their education and the wider world.
Pupils’ emotional health and wellbeing are a clear priority. The school provides a strong culture of safeguarding and pastoral care, ensuring that pupils know how to seek support and feel confident in doing so. A member of staff trained in ELSA, and the DSL and DDSL work effectively with individuals and groups to support emotional wellbeing. This enables pupils to develop resilience, self-confidence and the courage to manage challenges and setbacks.
Through a well-designed and coherent curriculum, alongside the Virtues Project, pupils learn about positive character traits and values. These opportunities help pupils to understand how being caring, curious and courageous enables them to contribute positively to their school community and to society more widely.
The school’s ‘rules of life’ establish high expectations for behaviour and relationships. They support pupils in understanding and demonstrating British Values, including mutual respect, tolerance and individual liberty. Pupils are encouraged to be courageous in making the right choices and to show respect and kindness towards others, preparing them effectively for life in modern Britain.
Assemblies, educational visits, class discussions and high-quality texts provide pupils with rich opportunities to learn about their local community as well as the wider world. These experiences deepen pupils’ understanding of diversity and promote curiosity, empathy and a caring respect for others.
The PSHE curriculum is carefully planned, age-appropriate and progressive. Pupils learn about healthy and respectful relationships, diversity, and how to keep themselves safe, including online. Teaching encourages pupils to express their views confidently and courageously, listen attentively to others and understand that differing opinions should be respected. This approach supports pupils in becoming independent, reflective and curious learners who engage positively with their community and the wider world.
Pupils are keen to take on positions of responsibility. Leadership opportunities are well sequenced and inclusive, beginning with class-based roles and progressing to whole-school responsibilities such as Play Leaders, Eco Warriors and School Councillors. These roles help pupils to develop leadership skills, a sense of responsibility and the courage to act as positive role models and active citizens.
The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular clubs which are well attended and enhance pupils’ personal development. Residential visits in Years 5 and 6 further support pupils’ independence, resilience and courage, while broadening their experiences beyond the local area. Educational visits are carefully planned and integrated into the curriculum, providing opportunities that stimulate curiosity, promote cultural understanding and inspire awe and wonder.