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Part of The Propeller Academy Trust

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At Bishopswood School, Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED) is at the heart of our curriculum, ensuring that pupils develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive in school, at home, and in the wider community. Our approach supports pupils to build positive relationships, regulate emotions, and apply real-life skills that prepare them for independent living, further education, and employment.

Intent

Our PSED curriculum is designed to:

  • Develop self-awareness, confidence, and independence, enabling pupils to make choices and advocate for themselves.
  • Support emotional regulation and well-being, equipping pupils with strategies to manage their feelings and behaviour.
  • Foster social communication and interaction skills, ensuring pupils can develop friendships, work with others, and engage successfully in their communities.
  • Provide real-world learning experiences, including travel training, enterprise projects, careers education, and accessing the community.
  • Prepare pupils for adulthood, ensuring they gain the life skills needed for independent living, work, and further education.

Implementation

PSED is embedded across the curriculum and tailored to each learning pathway, ensuring pupils receive personalised support and opportunities to apply their skills in real-life contexts.

Sensory Pathway

  • Sensory experiences and structured routines help pupils build self-awareness and emotional regulation.
  • Intensive interaction and social engagement activities develop communication and social relationships.
  • Pupils participate in community visits to experience different environments in a structured and supported way.

Communication Pathway

  • Social stories, visual supports, and role-play help pupils understand social rules and navigate interactions.
  • ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) interventions provide tailored support for emotional well-being and resilience.
  • Community-based learning, such as shopping trips, library visits, and café outings, builds real-world independence.

Core Pathway

  • Pupils develop self-management, resilience, and responsibility through structured discussions and problem-solving tasks.
  • Careers and enterprise education introduces pupils to the world of work through school-based jobs, work experience, and enterprise projects.
  • Travel training supports independence, teaching pupils how to use public transport safely.
  • Pupils engage in competitions and teamwork activities, fostering confidence, collaboration, and a sense of achievement.

Key Approaches and Strategies

Our PSED curriculum is brought to life through a wide range of practical experiences and targeted interventions:

✔ Trips and Community Access – Pupils visit shops, cafés, museums, parks, and leisure centres, developing confidence in different social environments.
✔ Applying Real-Life Skills – Practical activities, such as handling money, ordering food, following timetables, and using public transport, help pupils develop essential independence skills.
✔ Travel Training – Pupils learn how to safely navigate their surroundings, progressing towards using public transport and understanding road safety.
✔ Enterprise and Careers Education – Pupils participate in school-based jobs, work placements, and enterprise initiatives, helping them develop skills for future employment.
✔ Emotional Literacy and Wellbeing (ELSA Support) – Our trained ELSA practitioners provide individual and group support to help pupils manage emotions, develop self-esteem, and build resilience.
✔ Interventions for Social and Emotional Development – Targeted support includes friendship groups, mentoring, relaxation techniques, and anxiety management strategies.
✔ Competitions and Team Activities – Pupils take part in sports events, talent showcases, and academic competitions, encouraging participation, teamwork, and confidence-building.

Impact

Through our broad, real-life focused PSED curriculum, pupils at Bishopswood School:
✔ Develop confidence and resilience, supporting their ability to navigate new experiences and challenges.
✔ Build positive relationships, learning how to communicate effectively, collaborate, and respect others.
✔ Apply real-world skills in everyday contexts, from managing money to following a travel route.
✔ Engage independently in their communities, accessing shops, services, and social opportunities with confidence.
✔ Feel emotionally supported and equipped with strategies to regulate emotions, build self-esteem, and manage anxiety.
✔ Are prepared for the next stage of their lives, whether that’s further education, employment, or supported living.

At Bishopswood School, Personal, Social, and Emotional Development is not just about learning in the classroom, it’s about preparing pupils to engage with the world around them with confidence, independence, and purpose.

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