Personal Development (PD) sits at the heart of everything we do and underpins our entire curriculum. Our core and foundation subjects are delivered through the umbrella of PD, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections and make sense of the world around them.

Our curriculum is rooted in Hedgewood’s vision and values, placing children at the centre of all learning. It reflects our core ethos:
“Be nice – work hard – be happy.”
We foster a warm, nurturing and respectful environment where pupils feel safe, valued and supported to grow academically, socially and emotionally.

Our Intent

We believe that all pupils, regardless of ability or communication needs, have the right to understand themselves, their relationships, and how to stay safe and healthy in an increasingly complex world. Our Personal Development curriculum is therapeutic, developmental and highly personalised, with learning carefully matched to pupils’ developmental stages rather than chronological age.

We aim to support pupils to:

• develop communication, independence and emotional regulation skills

• make informed choices about their health, safety and wellbeing

• build positive relationships and understand their bodies and emotions

• navigate social and digital environments safely

• develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self

A Personalised Approach

Every pupil has a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), informed by their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and ongoing evidence-based assessment. These plans focus on key areas of need including communication and interaction, independence, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory and physical development.

Parents and carers are key partners in this process, working closely with staff to ensure learning is purposeful, relevant and meaningful both at school and at home.

Curriculum & Enrichment

Personal Development is embedded across the curriculum, with strong links to RE, Science, Computing and Online Safety. Pupils learn about digital literacy, personal safety and emotional wellbeing, supported by resources such as Project Evolve and whole-school events including Safer Internet Day.

Our curriculum is enriched through real-life experiences and carefully planned whole-school events such as Science Week, Arts Week, Sports Week, Mental Health and Wellbeing Week and key cultural and awareness days. These experiences broaden pupils’ understanding, raise aspirations and support wellbeing.

Supporting Wellbeing & Regulation

We place a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing, self-regulation and feeling safe. Pupils are supported to develop strategies they can use in school, at home and in the wider community. Our approach is strengths-based, low arousal and person-centred, ensuring dignity, respect and compassion at all times.

Staff consistently model positive behaviour and work collaboratively with families and professionals to support positive outcomes and quality of life for every pupil.

Approaches & Interventions

We use a transdisciplinary approach that integrates education and therapy, drawing on evidence-based practices tailored to each pupil’s needs. These include:

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy

• TEACCH and Applied Behaviour Analysis

• AAC, symbols, Signalong and communication aids

• Intensive Interaction and Attention Autism

• Zones of Regulation and The Alert Programme

• Sensory integration, sensory circuits and diets

• Positive Behaviour Support and Low Arousal approaches

All approaches are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective, responsive and in line with best practice.