Personal Development (PD) and Relationships & Sex Education (RSE)

At Leighton Academy, we provide a Personal Development curriculum that is accessible to all and that will equip our children with the knowledge, skills and emotions needed to play an active role in society.  We aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our school community. We want all our children to become successful learners, develop to their full potential and achieve the highest educational standards that they can.

We want our pupils to:

  • develop the knowledge, skills and understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and safe (including online).  

  • become responsible global citizens.

  • build positive, healthy and respectful relationships with others.

  • develop their mental and physical wellbeing.

  • show tolerance towards others - their beliefs, religions and life choices and to respect their differences.  

  • be resilient and to make the most of their own abilities. 

  • develop self-confidence and be able to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions with others. 

At Leighton Academy, we use a range of schemes that have been adapted to suit the needs of our pupils.  Alongside this, we also enjoy taking part in a range of different celebratory days.  These can include the local community and the wider world e.g. collecting and distributing food locally and raising money for charities such as Down Syndrome Association. The children take part in planning events such as Red Nose Day and our own school talent show.  

As a school, we are also part of the No Outsider community.  From this, we are teaching our children that everyone is welcome in our school.  Children are taught messages of respect and understanding through stories about a variety of topics, including race and religion, and how this could affect their lives.  You can find more information about this on our No Outsiders page.  Alongside this, we are also a KiVa school with our own KiVa ambassadors and KiVa trained staff.

Our children understand how important they are as individuals. They understand how to develop good, positive relationships with others and how to respect their opinions and views. Discussion helps the children to reflect on their thoughts and opinions, whilst considering those of others. Investigations allow an opportunity for the children to be resourceful and work together to come to the correct conclusion and problem-solving helps to inspire resilience. Mistakes will happen from time to time, but it is how we react to those mistakes that can make us stronger and more understanding. Most importantly, our children understand what it means to be kind, even when kindness is difficult to find. 

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Rights Respecting Schools

 

We achieved our Silver accreditation in May 2025!
 Silver-logo - Rights Respecting Schools Award

What does it mean to be a Rights Respecting School?

Rights Respecting Schools is an award by the charity UNICEF. The award is for schools that are working towards children’s rights becoming an embedded part of their school ethos. It teaches children about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and enables them to be Rights Respecting Global Citizens and advocates for fairness and social justice in our local community, our country and across the globe. This encompasses our School and British Values. 

 

What does RRSA look like in our school?

Being a Rights Respecting School is an important part of who we are. Children learn about their rights through regular assemblies, classroom discussions and everyday school life, helping them to understand that everyone's rights matter and that these come with responsibilities towards others. As a school that has achieved the Silver Rights Respecting Schools Award, we are committed to creating a culture where every child feels valued, listened to and included. 

Each month, pupils take part in a Rights Respecting assembly focused on a specific article from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, followed by class activities that help bring these rights to life. This gives children opportunities to discuss real-life issues, share their views and understand how they can make a positive contribution to their school, community and the wider world.

This means that pupils develop respect, empathy and a strong sense of fairness, feel confident that their voices are heard, and understand how they can help create a caring and inclusive environment for everyone.

 

Our Rights Respecting Mascot

We are delighted to share our mascot with you.  Leighton the Lion was imagined by Jessica, one of our Year 5 pupils.  Our Rights Respecting Council chose Leighton as they liked the links to their rights.  They could find the right to clean water, the right to eat healthy food and the right to play.  

 

Steering Group

Our School Council consists of children from Year 2 to Year 6.  As well as working to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and that children have a say in making our school an even better place, they also work to ensure that the whole school is aware of the Rights Respecting Schools Award, to provide a link between the children, all staff members, the governors and the wider community and to plan and deliver events to help our children become Rights Respecting Global Citizens.

 

Class Charters

Every class in school has discussed, agreed on and designed their own class charters. The children have discussed what both the adults (Duty Bearers) and the children (Rights holders) have to do to ensure the rights are met and have included these on their charters.