Personal Development and Wellbeing

At Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School and Nursery, we place equal emphasis on academic and personal potential, believing that both are vital for our children to truly thrive. Personal potential is about every child becoming all and more than they ever thought they could be — discovering who they are, what they love and what drives them. It focuses on developing character, nurturing passions and uncovering purpose, helping pupils understand that success comes in many forms. When young people find what inspires them, they begin to see the limitless possibilities ahead.

Unlocking personal potential empowers pupils to take confidence from their achievements and apply it across every area of life. Through the extraordinary opportunities and experiences provided at SAF, children learn to believe in themselves, to dream big, and to recognise that they can shape their own future. You can read about some of the ways we help pupils unlock their personal potential below.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development at Sir Alexander Fleming Nursery and Primary School
(SMSC)

At Sir Alexander Fleming Nursery and Primary School, we work to develop not only children’s academic knowledge, but every child as a whole. It is within our ethos to develop our pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural being. Click the link below to see how we plan Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural experiences throughout our curriculum.

SMSC

Spiritual Development

We teach children about themselves, others and the world around them in order to inspire and develop a sense of awe and wonder. We explore values and beliefs in which to inform their perspective on life and respect for other people. Creativity is at the heart of our curriculum and we encourage a willingness to reflect on their own experiences. Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religions, ethic and socio-economic backgrounds

The Spiritual Development of pupils is shown by their:

Ability to be reflective about their own beliefs, religious or otherwise, that inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values
Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them
Use of imagination and creativity in their learning
Willingness to reflect on their experiences

Whole School Activities

School Values: Respect, Safe, Pride, Success, Brave
School Council – Opportunities to express our points of view safely
Pupil voice / Pupil Committees – School council, RE Panel, Reading Ambassadors, Mathematics Ambassadors, Science Technicians, Digital Leaders
Playground Buddies
Sports Leaders
School dog – Honey
Outdoor Learning for ALL year groups to support mental and physical health
Allotments
Singing assemblies
Charitable Activities – whole school and through Enrichment activities (Red Nose Day, Children In Need, Remembrance Day)
Fund Raising for School – Pumpkin Patch, Christmas Concerts, Cookie Sale, Summer Fayre
School Magazine
Pupil questionnaires
Buddy Reading – cross-year collaboration
Trips, visits and experiences, including residentials to Pioneer Centre, Arthog, France
Home visits for all children who join our Nursery or Reception classes
MFL – Learning about other cultures, language and beliefs
Inclusion team – Nurture Rooms, Pastoral and Inclusion support
House System – House Captains and Vice Captains
Head Boy/Head Girl – promoting leadership opportunities
Celebrations – assemblies, Mother’s day, Father’s day
Parent Workshops – SATS, phonics, lunchtime meals
After-school clubs

Moral Development

We provide opportunities for children to investigate moral and ethical issues in order to develop their ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, with a readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives. We develop their understanding of consequences of their actions.

The Moral Development of pupils is shown by their:

Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong, readily apply this understanding to their own lives and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of The United Kingdom.
Understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions.
Interest in investigating and offering reasoned views about moral and ethical issues and being able to understand and appreciate the viewpoints of others on these issues.

Whole School Activities

RE Curriculum – children learn about making the right decisions
Learning empathy – taught through Jigsaw, Values Assemblies, British Values, RE, Assemblies.
Developing positive relationships – taught through Jigsaw, Values Assemblies, British Values, RE, Assemblies, Positive Behaviour Policy
Positive Behaviour Policy – rules and expectations, children having a voice and understanding the purpose of the policy.
Behaviour curriculum
Playground Buddies – during lunchtime and playtime supporting pupils to remember the expectations of high standards of behaviour on site.
Head Boy/ Head Girl – opportunities for leadership
Celebrating personal success and team success – Certificates of Achievement, Attendance Awards, Sporting Awards and endeavours
PCSOs delivery of workshops throughout the school – STAR, Crucial Crew, enrichment in Nursery
Charitable events – including Harvest Festival Collection, Red Nose Day, Children in Need, Poppy Appeal, Christmas Jumper Day – supporting charities as part of our moral responsibility to society.
School Council- Opportunities to express our points of view safely
Internet Safety Day – encouraged and taught throughout the year but this day also provides a specific focus and includes our parents and families.
Topic Work – exploring our values and attitudes to life and learning about others through a variety of subjects / mediums including History, Geography, Art, Music, Dance
School Trips, visits and experiences, including residentials to Pioneer, Arthog and France
Field work walks around the local community – identifying needs that we can support with
Business Links – Virgin 500, Outdoor learning (see extensive list on outdoor learning page)
Supporting Mental Health – Young Minds, Children’s mental health week, Bronze award for mental health in school.

Social Development

We develop social skills through working and socialising with and alongside others from a variety of different backgrounds. We learn to cooperate well with others and resolve conflicts effectively. We teach children about the way their own community as well as wider society and other communities function.

The social development of pupils is shown by their:

Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and socialising with pupils from different religions, ethic and socio-economic backgrounds
Willingness to participate in a variety of communication and social settings, including volunteering, cooperating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
Acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, the pupils develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain

Whole School Activities

Positive Behaviour Policy – rules and expectations, children having an input and understanding what is fair
Behaviour Curriculum – outlines a behaviour focus for each week
Pupil voice – School Council, Digital Leaders, Playground Buddies, Sports Leaders and many more…
British Values – Celebrating Diversity, Focus Week
Use of self and peer assessment
Assemblies – focusing and developing values and principles, Celebrations
Festivals – Eid, Diwali, Easter, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Graduation, Prom
Links with the Community – diversity celebrations including local faith leaders
School website – links to helpful agencies, CEOP, Childline, Eradicate Hate, Prevent Strategy and Raising awareness about FGM
Online Safety talks, assemblies, focus of every computing lesson
PSED – making and maintaining relationships, group activities, turn taking and sharing
Workshops with external agencies – PODs, BEAM, Health Visitors
Parent and Child Workshops through Family Learning
Inclusion team – Nurture Rooms, Pastoral and Inclusion support
House System – House Captains and Vice Captains
Head Boy/Head Girl – promoting leadership opportunities
Celebrations – assemblies, Mother’s day, Father’s day
Parent Workshops – SATS, phonics, lunchtime meals
After-school clubs

Cultural Development

We explore and develop an understanding and respect for cultural diversity. We celebrate diversity within our school and share knowledge and experience within the community. We provide opportunities to explore a variety of art, music, sport, science and festivals. We also develop an appreciation of cultural influences that have shaped the children’s own heritage.

The Cultural Development of pupils is shown by their:

Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences that have shaped their own heritage and that of others
Understanding and appreciation of the range of different cultures within school and further afield as an essential element of their preparation for life in Modern Britain
Knowledge of Britain’s democratic parliamentary system and its cultural role in shaping our history and values and continuing to develop Britain.
Willingness to participate in and respond positively to artistic, sporting and cultural opportunities
Interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity, and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity, as shown by their tolerance and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.

Whole School Activities

RE lessons allow children to learn about different religions, cultures and beliefs
Topic lessons allow children to explore learning about different cultures and beliefs through different medium / Subjects including Music, Art, History, Geography and Computing.
The Design and Technology programme gives the pupils the opportunity to participate in cookery activities looking at nutrition and health.
Themed International School Dinners
Developing positive relationships through Values Assemblies, Jigsaw lessons focusing on different beliefs and cultural expectations
Variety of assemblies celebrating cultural differences: Eid, Diwali, Easter, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Father’s and Mother’s Day Celebrations, Black History Month, LGBT History Month, Remembrance Day, European Languages Day
Music Calendar to encourage listening to different genres
World Sporting Events: Euros, World Cup (men and women), Olympics, Commonwealth Games
Celebrations – Christmas, Easter bonnet parade, Eid, Diwali
Nativity Production by Early Years, KS1 and KS2
Music activities – Lessons and elective choices available too. Musical assemblies. Variety of instruments available for all year groups to utilise. Children sing a range of songs linking into particular issues and values

Cultural Capital

At Sir Alexander Fleming Primary and Nursery School, we have carefully tailored our curriculum to provide memorable experiences, which many children may not normally be exposed to. As well as providing these experiences, teachers use a range of teaching and learning pedagogies to cater for all learners. Our vibrant and rich curriculum is designed so that children are not only taught the knowledge appropriate to their year group, but also the skills to enable them to be successful across the curriculum. Outcomes are designed to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but also to develop the skills needed for future learning and beyond.

Cultural Capital at SAF

As part of the National Curriculum, children are expected to learn about a range of different faiths, cultures, morals and values to prepare them for “life in modern Britain”. We teach standalone PSHE lessons, with embedded PSHE/SMSC objectives; in addition, across the curriculum, subject areas such as RSE, Health Education and E-Safety, also help children become well-rounded British citizens and build their ‘Cultural Capital’.

We have an excellent understanding of the needs of our families. There are high levels of social deprivation in the catchment area as shown in the Indices of Deprivation 2019. The school is situated in one of the most deprived areas being ranked in the top 10% of most deprived areas nationally for Income, Employment, Education, Training and Skills and Sutton Hill is the second most deprived LSOA in the Borough which is ranked 409^th nationally which places us in the top 5% of most deprived areas. In 2015, we were ranked at 575 nationally, so in 4 years there has been an increase in relative deprivation. Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School is in quintile 5, most deprived of all schools in Telford and Wrekin with 65% of families receiving free school meals, which is well above the national average. These figures are constantly changing and increasing.

We recognise our part to play in Health Education. Some of our families are in receipt of Early Help and through a supportive curriculum children learn how to communicate and help keep themselves safe. We believe that it is also important that all children learn the skills that they need to look after and be aware of the needs of others.

To develop children’s cultural capital, Telford and Wrekin have introduced a new project: 10 by 10. They have identified ten activities children should try before they are ten years old. Each 10 by 10 activity is a chance for children to discover new talents and experience the world. For more information, please visit: https://10by10.telford.gov.uk/

To find out more about how Sir Alexander Fleming Primary and Nursery School prepares children for life in modern Britain, please read our parents’ guide: Life in Modern Britain

Trips, Visits and Experiences

At Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School and Nursery, we believe that learning should be memorable, inspiring, and full of discovery. Our carefully planned programme of educational visits, residentials, and enrichment experiences brings the curriculum to life, helping pupils make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the world around them.

Each year group enjoys a wide range of experiences — from exploring historical sites like Wroxeter Roman City and Warwick Castle, to investigating science and technology at Space Centre, or developing creativity through visits to The New Art Gallery Walsall. Our older pupils also take part in residential trips, building independence, teamwork, and confidence beyond the classroom.

Every trip is designed to enhance curriculum knowledge while nurturing our school values — respect, safe, brave, pride and succeed. Experiences are sequenced across the school to align with topics and key learning milestones, ensuring progression from Nursery to Year 6.

We are proud to subsidise many of our trips to ensure that every child can participate, regardless of financial circumstance. This reflects our deep commitment to inclusion and equality of opportunity.

Beyond curriculum links, our visits develop character, curiosity, and confidence — helping pupils to shine, achieve, and flourish. Whether it’s a first visit to the theatre, discovering wildlife at the Safari Park, or representing Goldsmith on a residential adventure, every experience builds lifelong memories and supports our mission for every child to Shine, Achieve, Flourish – The SAF Way!

Residentials

Pioneer (Year 4)