Personal Development

Our Approach

We are committed to delivering a holistic Personal Development programme that recognises and supports the complex social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs of our learners. Our Personal Development offer is not an isolated curriculum area—it underpins every aspect of a pupil’s journey with us, shaping the environment, routines, relationships and culture they experience each day. Every interaction, lesson and intervention is rooted in the belief that personal growth is central to academic success and lifelong wellbeing. Our PSD (Personal and Social Development) Curriculum supports the wider Personal Development offer.

Our PSD curriculum includes all statutory elements:

  • Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education (PSCHE)

  • Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

  • Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

  • Religious Education (RE)

These areas are taught through engaging, well-planned lessons tailored to the developmental needs of our pupils. Whole-school assemblies further embed our core values of resilience, empathy, equality and positive mental health.

How Personal Development Supports Learning and Removes Barriers

Many of our learners face challenges that can limit their ability to engage fully with education. At Brookfield, Personal Development is a key lever for overcoming these barriers. By building emotional literacy, communication skills, self-regulation and confidence, we help pupils access learning more effectively and feel safe enough to take academic risks.

Our personalised approach enables pupils to:

  • Understand and manage their emotions

  • Develop trust and positive relationships with staff

  • Rebuild confidence after previous negative school experiences

  • Strengthen resilience and persistence

  • Improve readiness to learn and willingness to engage

This foundation allows pupils to participate more fully in lessons, make progress and re-establish themselves as successful learners.

Aims of Our Personal Development Provision

We aim to:

  • Help pupils develop confidence, emotional regulation and positive social skills.

  • Remove barriers to learning through targeted wellbeing and pastoral support.

  • Equip pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed, safe and positive choices.

  • Support students to prepare for meaningful futures, regardless of their starting point or individual challenges.

  • Ensure every pupil experiences a holistic, supportive journey where personal development and academic progress work hand in hand.

Extended offer

In addition to our comprehensive universal offer, we provide additional support that can include:

  • On-site counselling and wellbeing support, including mental health tracking and responsive pastoral intervention.

  • Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) to support communication, social interaction and confidence.

  • A proactive Pupil Council, ensuring student voice is central to school life and decision-making.

  • Regular surveys (staff, pupil and parent/carer) that inform ongoing improvement.

  • Partnership work with external agencies such as FCWA and YMCA Mentoring, offering specialist support and targeted interventions.

  • Weekly PDSI meetings, where pupil needs are reviewed and strategic, multi-agency actions are planned.

Values We Promote

Our Personal Development offer consistently reinforces the core values that underpin life at Brookfield:

  • Resilience – building emotional strength and coping strategies

  • Empathy – understanding oneself and others

  • Equality – promoting fairness, inclusion and respect for diversity

These values guide pupils’ daily experiences and influence their relationships, learning behaviours and decision-making.

Expected Outcomes

Through effective PD provision, we aim to see:

  • Improved emotional regulation and social interaction

  • Increased engagement, attendance and inclusion

  • Reduced behavioural incidents and greater self-management

  • Clearer post-16 pathways and enhanced employability skills

  • Pupils who feel valued, heard and supported

Student Voice and Partnerships

Our Pupil Council contributes actively to school improvement, wellbeing initiatives and curriculum planning. We work closely with families and external agencies to ensure that every pupil receives consistent, collaborative support throughout their journey.

Family and Community Involvement

We involve families through:

  • Regular communication and review meetings

  • Parent and carer surveys

  • Workshops and guidance to support wellbeing at home

  • Multi-agency collaboration to ensure holistic care

Contact & Further Information

If you would like to learn more about Brookfield’s PSD offer, arrange a visit or speak to our PSD Lead, please contact:


Rachel Sharp

Phone: 01253 886895

At Brookfield, we believe that every pupil deserves the chance to thrive. Our Personal Development provision forms the backbone of each pupil’s school experience—lifting barriers, building confidence and creating meaningful opportunities so that all learners can succeed.