Personal Development
Personal Development at Filton Avenue Primary School
At Filton Avenue, personal development is at the heart of everything we do – it’s the Filton Avenue Way. We enrich our curriculum with a wide range of additional opportunities that help pupils grow in confidence, character, and independence. Guided by our core values – collaboration, aspiration, respect, and endeavour – we support children to become kind, resilient, empathetic individuals who appreciate diversity and collaborate positively with others.
Our Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum equips pupils to recognise and manage risks both online and offline, encouraging safe and healthy choices and relationships. Personal development is not a standalone subject – it is woven throughout all aspects of school life, preparing pupils to be the best they can be and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as they move through their education and beyond.
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Development
We actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, mutual respect, and tolerance of different faiths through PSHE lessons, assemblies, and across the curriculum. These values help pupils understand their rights and responsibilities both within school and in wider society.
Our SMSC programme offers age-appropriate opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own beliefs and values while respecting those of others. We spark curiosity about the world and encourage imaginative thinking through an engaging and diverse curriculum that nurtures a love of learning about themselves and the communities around them.
Children learn to distinguish right from wrong, take responsibility for their actions, and consider moral choices carefully. Through class discussions, storytelling, and real-life examples, pupils develop the ability to listen, share views respectfully, and explore different perspectives using oracy strategies.
Our pupils learn about the importance of laws as systems that govern, protect, and guide us, along with the responsibilities and consequences that come with them. Visits from the Police, Fire Service, and other community figures reinforce these messages in a meaningful and engaging way.
Children who join our school instantly become part of something special – Team Filton – where everyone is valued, included, and supported to thrive together. Through teamwork, play, collaboration, and participation in school and community events such as We Belong, Sports Day and Read Aloud Week, pupils develop vital social skills. We teach the importance of kindness, cooperation, and respect for everyone, regardless of background.
We celebrate the rich diversity of cultures and communities within our school and beyond through themed weeks, educational trips, arts, music, literature, and cultural events such as our We Belong Event. Pupils are encouraged to value both what makes people different and what they share, fostering pride in their own identity and heritage.
As part of our commitment to equality, we introduce the nine protected characteristics – such as race, religion, gender, disability, family background, and sexual orientation – in an age-appropriate way. This helps pupils understand that everyone deserves respect, kindness, and equal opportunities. Our goal is to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and included as a vital part of our school family.
Please see our SMSC calendar for examples of SMSC celebrations at Filton Avenue Primary School: SMSC Calendar 24-25
Specialist Clubs
Our curriculum extends beyond the National Curriculum to include a broad and diverse specialist club programme for pupils from Reception through to Year 6. These clubs, which include sports, art, music, and many other activities, are designed to complement and enhance the curriculum, offering something for every interest and helping to nurture well-rounded learners. We are proud of our extensive club offer and have a high uptake of learners engaging in extra-curricular clubs every year.
Enrichment Days
We dedicate three days each year to enriching off-timetable activities that build confidence, independence, social skills, and a love of learning. Supported by partnerships with local universities, theatres, businesses, and community members, these enrichment days provide memorable and meaningful learning experiences.
Examples of recent enrichment days include:
- Festival of Dance
- A Day as an Artist
- Engineering Day
- Pantomime and Wreath Making
Trips and Visits
Throughout the school year, all year groups participate in trips linked to their learning challenges, designed to enhance cultural awareness, knowledge and engagement. We also invite external speakers to deliver specialist talks and workshops to inform and inspire pupils.
From Year 1 to Year 6, children visit two different places of worship each year – such as our local church, mosque, synagogue, and temple – to develop knowledge and respect for diverse faiths and beliefs, while reflecting on their own perspectives.
Our Year 6 residential trip builds independence and offers learning opportunities in new environments. To view planned trips and visitors for your child’s year group, please visit: Trips and experiences website
Annual Whole School Events and Themed Weeks
We celebrate learning and community with a variety of whole-school events and themed weeks throughout the year. These engaging experiences foster creativity, collaboration, and school spirit.
Notable events include:
- Harvest Assemblies (Term 1)
- Bedtime Story Event (Term 2)
- Christmas Performances (Term 2)
- We Belong Community Event (Term 4)
- Oracy Showcase (Term 5)
- Aspiration Day/Careers Fair (Term 6)
- Sports Day (Term 6)
Special themed weeks include:
- Black History Month
- Anti-Bullying Week
- Read Aloud Week
- Mental Health Awareness Week
Other Events and Competitions
Each year group holds an annual Exhibition of Learning where pupils showcase their learning to parents/carers.
Reception through to Year 4 take part in a Poetry Slam competition, performing class poems to large audiences. Years 5 and 6 participate in the Speak Up competition, where pupils write and deliver speeches, with winners sharing their work at a special Trust-wide event.
Assembly Programme
Our values-based assembly programme promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, guiding pupils on how to become the best versions of themselves. In addition to weekly behaviour, values, and celebration assemblies, pupils participate in safeguarding assemblies and music performance assemblies, as well as OPAL and oracy assemblies each term.
PE, Sport, and Healthy Lifestyles
We offer a wide range of PE and sport activities during and beyond the school day. Pupils represent the school in city-wide competitions in sports such as netball, football, basketball, and dance. These opportunities promote healthy lifestyles and foster mutual respect, teamwork, and positive relationships within our school community and with visiting teams.
Music
Pupils participate in a broad range of musical activities beyond the National Curriculum, developing creativity and confidence. They can learn instruments and form bands with peers through sessions led by Rocksteady music teachers & the Bristol Beacon teachers.
Pupils as Leaders
Pupil agency and leadership is a key part of life at Filton Avenue, helping pupils build confidence, self-belief, and life skills. Democracy is embedded in our school culture, with pupils encouraged to express their views and listen respectfully to others. All pupils who strive to become an active member of any of our pupil leadership groups must either meet a set of criteria that demonstrates they are ready and committed, or they are elected by pupil votes, reflecting the British electoral system in action.
Regular debates and discussions develop pupils’ ability to express opinions, consider different perspectives, and engage in respectful dialogue within a safe environment. Pupil leaders meet regularly to make meaningful change in school, delivering key messages through assemblies and class discussions while developing their oracy and sense of agency.
Leadership roles include:
School Councillors
Pupil Advocates
Belonging Champions
Oracy Champions
Librarians
Eco Team
O-Pals
Digital Engineers
Mental Health Champions
