Personal development now plays a central role in school curriculums across the UK, and its importance is hard to overstate. But how confident are schools in delivering this essential area?
Does your team have access to a comprehensive PSHE/RSHE programme? And if not, do they have the time and tools needed to fully embed personal development into school life?
The DfE’s latest RSHE Guidance Report (2024) sheds light on these questions. While 85% of teachers agree RSHE prepares pupils for real-world experiences, many also face significant challenges. As one primary school teacher put it, “We are not just dealing with teaching - we are dealing with behaviour, medical issues, and so many different things at the same time.”
Given such pressures, many schools seek effective ways to evaluate their personal development programmes. That’s where 1decision’s new Personal Knowledge Audit Service steps in. This service helps primary schools assess and enhance their personal development efforts, offering a reflective, non-judgemental way to make informed changes.
We’ll cover:
- The Challenge of Embedding Personal Development in Schools
- How a Personal Knowledge Audit Can Help Schools Succeed
- Using the Pupil Knowledge Tracker to Strengthen PSHE and RSHE
- Evaluating School-Wide Provision with the Provision Audit Tool
- Creating a Personal Development Action Plan from Audit Results
- Why Now is the Time for Reflection and Growth
The Challenge of Embedding Personal Development in Schools
Although PSHE has long featured in school life, the introduction of statutory RSHE in 2020 brought personal development into the spotlight. Yet, many schools struggle to integrate these essential lessons into the broader curriculum.
Recently, Professor Becky Francis reinforced the importance of PSHE and RSHE, stating that “these subjects are in our purview.” Her comment underscores the government’s commitment to these areas, even though they sit outside the national curriculum.
Teachers, however, continue to face hurdles. Many feel unprepared and lack the time and resources to successfully embed RSHE.
Schools looking to make an impact can benefit significantly from a Personal Development Audit. This tool helps schools identify what’s working, pinpoint areas for improvement, and implement meaningful changes without formal inspection pressures.
How a Personal Knowledge Audit Can Help Schools Succeed
The 1decision Personal Knowledge Audit offers a thorough, two-part assessment that captures both pupil understanding and school-wide provision of personal development. Here’s what each part includes:
Using the Pupil Knowledge Tracker to Strengthen PSHE and RSHE
Designed for Years 5 and 6, this tool measures pupil knowledge in personal development areas to highlight strengths and pinpoints areas in need of more support. Addressing these gaps helps ensure pupils are ready for the transition to secondary school.
Key features include:
- Two 25-minute personal development quizzes
- Cohort data for year group comparisons
- Detailed question analysis to guide future lesson planning
Evaluating School-Wide Provision with the Provision Audit Tool
This audit section prompts schools to assess their personal development offerings through thought-provoking questions. It covers areas like leadership, delivery, sex education (if applicable), and overall provision, enabling schools to allocate resources where they’re needed most.
Creating a Personal Development Action Plan from Audit Results
After completing the audit, schools gain necessary insights to create a clear, actionable plan. This report provides solutions by outlining the path to address gaps, celebrate strengths and build a consistent approach to personal development school wide.
Why Now is the Time for Reflection and Growth
With a stronger focus on personal development, schools now have an opportunity to improve how they deliver these crucial topics. The DfE’s recent report on Relationships, Sex, and Health Education highlights the need for consistent, high-quality personal development education, especially as pupils face an increasingly complex world.
As schools adapt to these evolving demands, the Personal Knowledge Audit Service provides a practical, reflective way to evaluate and enhance children’s personal development. This service empowers schools to understand their current position, target their efforts effectively, and equip both staff and pupils for the demands of a rapidly changing society.
A Tool for Growth
A personal knowledge audit goes beyond evaluation - it leads to growth. By assessing what pupils know and identifying areas for improvement, schools ensure personal development becomes more than a box to tick; it’s a cornerstone in building the next generation of confident, capable young people.
Take advantage of this service, which is currently available at no cost by clicking here.
