Personal Development

Staff have strong relationships with pupils and families, which enable them to provide specific and targeted pastoral support where necessary. Assemblies are used purposefully, to develop children’s spiritual, moral and cultural development, linking to the fundamental British Values, and how they can be active and positive citizens. This is enhanced through the work of the school council, whose presence in school continues to be developed. Throughout the year, pupils are taught by staff and other agencies, including the fire service, about how to keep themselves safe, including regular online safety lessons. Our RSHE scheme of work has been adapted to now include a safeguarding element in each half-term, including both off and online. We also supportchildren with their understanding and learning about their emotional wellbeing through explicit teaching of The Zones of Regulation. (More information can be found in the RSHE section of the website).

Halfway Nursery Infant School is keen to ensure opportunities are provided that extend beyond the academic. We have a wide offer of after-school enrichment clubs as well as further enrichment opportunities for families and pupils, such as, year group Christmas Nativities, Christmas Fair, discos, special family events, book fairs and other fund-raising events. We are proud that these offers, where appropriate, include our nursery children, who are invited to attend events even if they fall outside of their normal sessions.

We also enhance our curriculum through trips and visitors to develop learning as well as provide special experiences to broaden pupils’ cultural capital. Examples of recent curriculum enhancements are:

Fire engine visit
Mental health and wellbeing family afternoons
Local area walk
Visit to Sheffield city centre on the tram
Victorian classroom experience (in school)
Land artist working in school
Sporting competitions and events
Carol singing at Crystal Peaks and the local care home

As a school we promote and support our pupils' physical and mental wellbeing. Pupils have active playtimes and lunchtimes. Active learning is also encouraged where appropriate, with children in the EYFS having regular access to the outdoor provision. We are also developing our woodland area to be able to provide designated ‘outdoor adventure’ sessions to our pupils.

In-school opportunities

Other ways in which we aim to promote and develop personal development is through in-school opportunities, that give children the chance to take on age-appropriate responsibilities. Examples of these are:

Register monitor
Line leader
Lunch band helper
School councillor

School Council

We have an active school council made up of children from year 1 and year 2. During Septembmer, classes vote for two school councillors to represent them during the year. This group then works with the staff school council leader to drive change, support with fundraising and link in with our local schools from the Westfield Family of Schools. Examples of events the school council have taken part in are:

Westfield Family of Schools school council event at Westfield in September and the end of year celebration in July
Local litter pick
Local positive parking patrol
Fundraising for Children In Need and other charities
School grounds planting

Children's University

We are proud members of the Sheffield Children's University. This initiative encourages and rewards children (aged 4 and over) and young people for taking part in learning activities of their choice in their own time. Research shows that children and young people who are rewarded for choosing to learn out of school feel proud and confident about their achievements and do better at school.

The Children’s University celebrates children and young people’s achievements with award certificates and badges. To do this we count the learning credits that they earn out of school time – one for each hour.

The national awards are:

Bronze (30 hours)
Silver (65 hours)
Gold (100 hours)

…and these continue right the way up to 1000 hours!

Gold awards are presented at special ceremonies at the Town Hall or universities to which a parent/carer is also invited. With each award children and young people receive, they receive a report which outlines their activities and accounts for each hour they have spent learning out of school. This report can become part of their record of achievement and evidences the learning they have taken part in out of school hours, which can be important when they begin to apply to further education or seek employment.

Children can also collect credits at activities away from school taking place at approved Learning Destinations using a Passport to Learning. These hours will be added to the ones they receive in school to earn them even more awards! Passports can be bought from any local library, and cost £3.50.

More information can be found on the Children's University website.