Growing confident, successful and resilient learners
At Hillocks Primary Academy, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish academically, socially, emotionally, and personally. Personal development is at the heart of our work and underpins everything we do, helping children to become confident learners, responsible citizens, and successful members of their community.
Our approach is built upon strong relationships, high expectations, and a commitment to ensuring every child feels valued, included, and supported. Through a carefully designed curriculum, extensive enrichment opportunities and exceptional pastoral care, we equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive both now and in the future.
Developing the whole child
Personal development is woven throughout academy life. Children are taught to understand themselves, build positive relationships, celebrate diversity and develop the confidence to embrace new opportunities.
Our curriculum is carefully planned to meet the needs of our community and provides pupils with a secure understanding of:
- Physical and mental wellbeing;
- Healthy relationships and friendships;
- Safeguarding and personal safety;
- Online safety and responsible digital citizenship;
- Equality, diversity and inclusion;
- Fundamental British Values;
- Protected characteristics;
- Aspirations, ambitions and future opportunities.
These themes are explored through our comprehensive PSHE curriculum (Jigsaw), RSHE programme, assemblies, wider curriculum experiences and everyday interactions across school.
Broadening horizons
We believe that some of the most powerful learning takes place beyond the classroom. We therefore provide a wide range of experiences that enrich learning, raise aspirations, and broaden children’s understanding of the world around them.
Pupils benefit from educational visits and residential experiences, for example to London, Willersley Castle and Rand Farm. Festive and theatrical performances, sporting opportunities, and community events encourage them to develop independence, resilience, and self-confidence.
Leadership opportunities, such as behaviour ambassadors, play leaders and environment leaders, allow children to contribute meaningfully to academy life, develop responsibility, and understand the importance of active citizenship. Their role within school council allows them to experience democracy in action and play a role in real change. Through pupil voice, children learn that their opinions matter and that they can make a positive difference to their school community.
Inclusion and belonging
At Hillocks Primary Academy, every child matters.
We are committed to ensuring that all pupils can access the opportunities available to them regardless of background or circumstance. Leaders work proactively to remove barriers to participation so that every child can engage fully in school life and experience success.
Children are encouraged to value and respect differences, celebrate diversity and develop an understanding of the wider world beyond their immediate experiences. This helps to create a culture where everyone feels welcome, respected, and included.
Supporting emotional health and wellbeing
A key strength of our academy is the quality of pastoral care provided for pupils and families.
Our dedicated inclusion team offers a graduated and responsive approach to support, ensuring children receive help at the earliest opportunity. This includes nurture provision, a full-time family support advisor, ELSA specialist, and our whole school thrive approach.
Led by our behaviour mentor and lead thrive practitioner, the thrive approach is embedded across the academy and plays a significant role in helping children develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and self-regulation. Alongside targeted interventions, it supports pupils to understand their emotions, build positive relationships, and engage successfully in learning.
As a result, children feel safe, supported and understood, enabling them to achieve their full potential.
Keeping children safe
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is central to our personal development provision.
Children are taught how to recognise risk, make informed choices, and seek support when needed. Online safety, healthy relationships, personal safety, and emotional wellbeing are taught progressively throughout the curriculum, ensuring pupils have the knowledge and confidence to keep themselves safe. This is further enhanced through close connections with local PCSOs, together with programmes such as the mini-police, DaRT and the great project.
Our pupils demonstrate understanding of how to stay safe and know that there are trusted adults within school who will listen and help.
Enrichment oppportunities
We are proud to offer a wide range of free extra-curricular opportunities throughout the year, enabling pupils to discover new interests, develop talents, and build friendships.
These opportunities complement the curriculum and ensure children enjoy a rich and varied school experience. You can find out more about the clubs and activities we offer on our enrichment page.
Working in partnership
We recognise that personal development is most effective when schools and families work together. By building strong partnerships with parents and carers, we create a supportive environment where children feel confident to challenge themselves, develop resilience, and achieve success.
At Hillocks Primary Academy, we are proud of the caring and inclusive community we have created and remain committed to ensuring that every child leaves us equipped with the confidence, character and skills needed for the next stage of their journey.