Personal Development

At Smarden, we believe that personal development education is as important as academic education.

At Smarden, we strive to prepare your children for their future as responsible citizens, willing  to make a positive contribution to society with an appreciation of diversity and a respect for British Values and equality.

We provide a wide number of rich and varied experiences and opportunities through our curriculum to develop talents, interests and an individual's cultural capital.

In order to achieve this, our Personal Development strategy has four key components:

  • Show RESPECT for others and the world around us
  • Show that we can create a SAFE place for everyone
  • Show that we are READY for new challenges
  • Show KINDNESS to everyone

We recognise that it is important that our students know how to keep themselves safe and how to care for both their mental and physical wellbeing whilst they also develop personal traits, and virtues that will motivate and guide our students to flourish in their community and in society, with confidence and resilience.

Through the explicit teaching of mental and emotional health, we promote pupils’ wellbeing through an understanding of their own and others’ emotions and the development of healthy coping strategies. This also contributes to safeguarding, providing pupils with knowledge, understanding and strategies to keep themselves healthy and safe, as well as equipping them to support others who are facing challenges.

Ww1Woodland Warriors

Woodland Warriors is a whole school initiative. It helps the children to learn about Geography in context but also develops them as citizens combining learning about the environment, community, sustainability,  ecological awareness and diversity.

Each child at Smarden gets a Woodland Warrior sash.  This sash stays with them throughout their time at Smarden.  When they participate in a particular Woodland Warrior initiative, they receive a badge which represents that theme.  They add their badge to their sash and create a collection of badges highlighting their achievements and reminding them of some of their responsibilities they have engaged in whilst being a Woodland Warrior.