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Personal Development

Life at The Whitby High School is about much more than examination results. We believe that education should prepare students not only for their next steps, but for life beyond school. 

Our Personal Development programme provides every student with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, character and experiences they need to thrive. Through a combination of Learning for Life, Careers, Enrichment, Wellbeing, Character Education, Student Leadership and our Pledge Programme, we help students become confident, respectful, responsible and ambitious young people who are ready to contribute positively to their community. 

At the heart of this is The Whitby Way: our shared expectations for how we learn, behave and treat one another.

Our Pledges

Our Pledges are a key part of Personal Development at The Whitby High School. They give every student opportunities to get involved, challenge themselves, develop new skills and make a positive contribution to school and the wider community.
 
As students move through the school, their Pledges develop with them — from belonging and engagement in Year 7, through to leadership, personal growth and preparing for the future in the older year groups. Through enrichment, student voice, careers, leadership, community activities and personal challenges, students build confidence, resilience, independence and experience alongside their academic learning.
 
Our Pledges are linked to the Skills Builder Framework, helping students to recognise the skills they are developing through their experiences and understand how these skills can be used and developed at different stages of their future — in education, employment and everyday life. Students are encouraged to recognise their strengths, identify areas for development and build a growing understanding of the skills they will need beyond school.
Most importantly, our Pledges encourage students to take ownership of their personal development, recognise what they can achieve and make the most of the opportunities available to them.
 
How we track progress
Each half term, students review their Pledges and use the QR code in their planner to update their progress and record evidence of their achievements. Form Tutors monitor students’ engagement and progress, helping them to identify their next steps. We also use this information to review the activities and opportunities we provide across school, ensuring that every student has meaningful opportunities to participate, develop and achieve their Pledges.
 
Developing Character and Leadership

Character Education is explicitly developed through Form Tutorials and across the curriculum, as well as through our wider Personal Development programme. 

Students have opportunities to demonstrate qualities such as: 

  • Kindness
  • Respect
  • Commitment
  • Inclusivity
  • Resilience
  • Responsibility
  • Leadership
  • Independence 

Our Pledges provide a practical way for students to put these qualities into action. Whether volunteering, taking part in an enrichment activity, supporting others, representing the school, developing a new skill, engaging with employers or taking on a leadership role, students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and make a positive contribution. 

Student Leadership 

Student voice and leadership are an important part of life at The Whitby. 

Students are encouraged to influence school life, represent their peers and take responsibility for making a positive difference. Through our Student Leadership Team, student councils, leadership opportunities, community projects and wider Pledge Programme, students can develop the confidence and skills to become active participants in their school and wider community. 

We believe that leadership is not simply about holding a title. It is about taking responsibility, listening to others, showing initiative and making a positive difference. 

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

Our Personal Development offer extends beyond the classroom. 

Students can access a wide range of enrichment opportunities including clubs, activities, competitions, trips, visits, volunteering, community projects, cultural experiences, leadership opportunities and partnerships with external organisations. These experiences help students to discover new interests, develop transferable skills and build experiences that support their future aspirations. 

We want every student to find something they enjoy, something they can contribute to and something that challenges them to grow. We have a broad and inclusive international visits programme, that is part of developing our students’ cultural capital.

Clubs & Enrichment

Careers and Preparing for the Future

Personal Development also prepares students for life beyond The Whitby. 

Through our Careers Education programme, students develop an understanding of themselves, the world of work and the opportunities available to them. They have opportunities to meet employers, experience different workplaces, develop employability skills and explore pathways into further education, apprenticeships, training and employment. 

Our Pledges complement this work by encouraging students to develop the skills, experiences and personal qualities that employers, colleges and universities value.

Careers Hub

British Values and Citizenship

Our Personal Development programme supports students to understand and demonstrate the fundamental British Values of: 

  • Democracy
  • The Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect
  • Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs 

These values are explored through PSHE, assemblies, curriculum learning, student voice, current affairs, enrichment, community involvement and leadership opportunities. 

Most importantly, students are given opportunities to put these values into practice through their everyday choices and contributions to school life. 

 

 

The Place to Belong

Our aim is for every student to leave The Whitby High School with more than a set of qualifications. We want them to leave with confidence, character, skills, experiences, aspirations and a sense of responsibility. 

Our Pledge Programme provides a journey through the school that encourages students to participate, contribute, lead and grow. 

Students are supported by their Form Tutors, teachers and the wider school community, while also being encouraged to take increasing ownership of their own Personal Development. We celebrate participation and achievement throughout the year and recognise students who demonstrate exceptional commitment, leadership and contribution.

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