Personal
Development
At South Molton Community Primary School, we are committed to developing confident, resilient and well-rounded children who are prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond school. We provide a broad range of inclusive opportunities that support pupils’ personal development, character and wellbeing.
Our values are at the heart of school life, particularly our value of nature. Through our extensive grounds, outdoor learning opportunities and focus on sustainability, children develop a strong connection to and respect for the environment.
Our rich personal development offer includes the ‘100 Things to Do Before Leaving SMCPS’, extra-curricular clubs, educational visits, residentials, community partnerships and high-quality play experiences, helping children build skills, confidence and lasting memories.
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100 things
As children move through our school, children have the opportunity to complete 100 activities that enhance their curriculum. These activities are carried out and integrated within our curriculum. Each year, these activities are built upon and offer children the opportunity to experience new things. These activities include outdoor experiences that develop a wide range of skills and knowledge of the world.
Trips and experiences
At South Molton Community Primary School, we believe educational visits and residential experiences are an important part of personal development. These opportunities help children build confidence, resilience, independence and teamwork while creating lasting memories and strengthening relationships with peers and staff. Carefully planned to enhance the curriculum, they allow pupils to apply their learning in real-life contexts and support them in achieving many of the ‘100 Things to Do Before Leaving SMCPS’.
Our programme provides a progressive range of experiences as children move through the school, from local visits and curriculum-linked trips to residential opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils can take part, regardless of financial circumstances, and work closely with families, charities and funding partners to remove barriers to participation. Through this inclusive approach, every child can benefit from enriching experiences that support their social, emotional and cultural development.
Community Links
At South Molton Community Primary School, we recognise the importance of helping children develop confidence, independence and a strong sense of belonging within their local community. Through our planned community links, each class has opportunities to engage with a range of local people, places and organisations, enabling pupils to experience the world beyond the school environment in meaningful and purposeful ways.
These experiences support the development of important life skills, including communication, responsibility and social awareness. As children move through the school, they are increasingly encouraged to take an active role within their community, including opportunities to volunteer and contribute positively. This helps to foster pride in where they live and ensures that pupils leave SMCPS feeling confident, connected and well-prepared to engage with the wider world.
Rational for Breaktimes & Lunchtimes
Our breaktime and lunchtime provision is carefully designed to place children’s personal development at its heart. Our large outdoor grounds are thoughtfully zoned to provide a wide range of opportunities for children to be physically active, build confidence and develop their physical skills. These include energetic play areas and a popular bike and scooter track, which encourage children to be active, cooperative and independent in their play.
Alongside this, quieter zones provide calm, purposeful spaces where children can relax, socialise positively and regulate their emotions, supporting wellbeing and strong relationships.
Physical Development & Extra-Curricular Activities
At South Molton Community Primary School, we recognise the vital role physical activity plays in supporting children’s health, wellbeing, confidence and readiness to learn. Through our daily run, active playtimes, bike track and inclusive PE and sporting opportunities, pupils develop healthy habits, resilience and teamwork.
Our wide-ranging extra-curricular programme, with most clubs offered free of charge, ensures all children can access enriching experiences, develop new skills and discover their interests. By the time they leave SMCPS, pupils are active, confident and well equipped to lead healthy, balanced and fulfilling lives.
Outdoor Learning
Each week children have an “Outdoor Adventure Time” session which is fully integrated into our timetable and curriculum. These sessions allow children time outside to access a variety of activities and develop their knowledge of the world. Our school environment has a variety of resources and spaces to ensure children can learn effectively outside, including a pond area, nature reserve and outdoor classrooms.
Staff have received training to support them in incorporating outdoor learning with other areas of the curriculum. We understand that outdoor learning opportunities do not replace learning that happens inside, but instead compliments it and increases children’s opportunities.
Performances
At South Molton Community Primary School, we provide all pupils with regular opportunities to perform and present to an audience, helping them develop confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Throughout their time at SMCPS, children take part in a range of performances, including concerts, productions and musical events. EYFS and Key Stage 1 perform a Christmas concert, Years 3, 4 and 5 take part in a Spring concert, and Year 6 present a summer show. Through careful monitoring, we ensure all pupils have opportunities to perform and represent the school, enabling them to develop confidence, communication skills and pride in their achievements.
