Personal Development

Personal development at Bamford Academy is everything we do beyond lessons to help children grow in confidence, character and independence. It includes trips and a Year 6 residential, performances and Sports Day, careers learning, cycling and safety training, and wellbeing lessons for pupils from Reception to Year 6.

What is personal development at Bamford?

Great learning is about more than lessons. At Bamford Academy, a primary school in Rochdale, we help every child grow into a confident, kind and capable young person who knows who they are, looks after themselves and others, and is ready for what comes next.

Everything we do is guided by our values: Respect, Perseverance, Kindness, Acceptance and Responsibility. You will see them in assemblies, on trips, on the playground and in the classroom.

What does personal development look like at Bamford?

We organise it around eight themes. Here is what each one means for your child.

1. Know Yourself: Children learn how their brains work, name their feelings and use simple tools to feel calm and ready to learn. This is taught through our myHappymind programme.

2. Healthy and Safe: Staying safe and well on the road, online and in the water. Children take part in fire service visits, online safety lessons, Bikeability and Learn to Ride cycling training, water safety lessons and first aid workshops. They also learn who their trusted adults are.

3. Character and Values: Spotting their strengths, being grateful, making kind choices and keeping going when things are hard.

4. Relationships and Respect: Being a good friend, listening to others, respecting boundaries and knowing what to do if something does not feel right, including through Empathy Week.

5. Citizenship and Community: Taking part and making a difference: electing school councillors, applying for roles such as prefect, librarian or tech team, and joining charity days like Children in Need.

6. Enrichment: Experiences beyond the classroom: performances, trips, residentials, Sports Day, dance workshops and cultural experiences. We are proud to be part of Create Rochdale, a network of organisations improving access to cultural education for children across the borough. Find out more about Enrichment here.

7. My Future: Careers Week with visiting speakers, a careers fair for Year 6, and visits so children can picture where their interests might take them and feel ready for secondary school.

8. Inclusion and Belonging: Celebrating our different families, faiths and cultures through assemblies, religious education, visits to places of worship, and learning about inspirational people from many backgrounds.

What is happening in my child's year group?

Choose your child's year group to see what they will experience each term.

• Reception: coming soon
• Key Stage 1 - Years 1 and 2: coming soon
• Lower Key Stage 2 - Years 3 and 4: coming soon
• Upper Key Stage 2 - Years 5 and 6: coming soon

What clubs, sport and music can my child join?

Our Extra-curricular page has details of the clubs and activities children can join, including sport and music. Speak to the school office to find out how to sign up.

Will my child learn about growing up and healthy relationships?

In Years 5 and 6, children learn about healthy relationships and growing up, with support from the school nurse. We always tell parents and carers in advance, and you are welcome to see the resources and talk to us. 

How can I help at home?

• Download the myHappymind parent app and use the same calm-down words and tools your child learns at school.
• Ask about their day: "What was the kindest thing you saw today?"
• Encourage them to log clubs and activities for Children's University, which rewards participation with milestone certificates and a graduation ceremony. Read more on our Extra-curricular page.
• Talk about jobs and goals, from Reception onwards.

See it in action

For the latest photos and stories, visit Bamford in the News or follow us on Facebook.

Bamford Academy is proud to be part of Altus Education Partnership, a family of schools in Rochdale.

Frequently asked questions

What is personal development?

It is everything we do to help children grow in character, confidence and independence, alongside academic learning. At Bamford it covers eight themes, from wellbeing and staying safe to careers and belonging.

Is personal development part of the school day, or extra?

Both. Much of it is built into lessons, assemblies and visits during the school day. 

Does Bamford Academy offer school trips and a residential?

Yes. Year 6 pupils take part in a residential at Robinwood, and classes go on trips and visits throughout the year. See our Trips and Visits page. 

How will I know about trips and activities?

In the Abor Parent App, weekly newsletters, letters home

Who do I contact with a question?

Contact the school office with any queries.

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