Personal Development
At Meridian High School, we know that education is about more than just outcomes, it’s about shaping confident, resilient, and ambitious young people who are ready to take on the world. Our personal development programme gives every student the chance to discover their strengths, build character and develop the skills they need for life beyond school. From leadership opportunities and cultural experiences to careers education and wellbeing support, we open doors to experiences that help students grow in self-belief and see new possibilities for their future. By nurturing character, values, and aspiration, we ensure that every young person has the tools they need to succeed both in school and in life.
Our vision for Personal Development is that students are given a range of wider opportunities that support their ambitions and raise their aspirations.
To support the personal development of our students’, we have designed a character curriculum which will give students the opportunity to explore and express their character and build the skills they need for resilience, empathy and employability.
Our character curriculum takes a 5-strand approach, with each of the strands being integral to the personal development of every child that attends MHS. These 5 strands are: Life Skills, Careers, Experiences, Community and Leadership.
Character curriculum
To give students the opportunity to explore and express their character and build the skills they need for resilience, empathy and employability.
Personal Development Lessons
Our Personal Development Lessons take place on a Friday Period 5 where students in Year 7-9 participate in an 'extra-curricular' club but timetabled into their school day. These lessons have been carefully planned to develop students talents, strengths and interests. Students will change their personal development session every term. Students will experience engaging and inspiring personal development lessons which will teach them new skills and foster a passion in their chosen session.
Students will get the opportunity to work with students across the 3 year groups, allowing them to build their communication and teamwork skills whilst working towards a shared goal where they can demonstrate their new talent.
Here is the current offer of PD lessons:
- Multisports
- Cricket
- Dungeons and Dragons
- Musical Theatre
- Dance
- Street Art
- Podcasting
- Languages
- Chess
- Trampolining
- Fitness
Every term the students confidence is measured, so to track how the students make progress in these new interests.
Students in Year 10 also have a timetabled Duke of Edingburgh lesson as to challenge our young people to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests – to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom. The Award forms a core part of many apprenticeships and training schemes in the UK, and employers are actively looking for DofE Award holders when recruiting, citing the important skills of teamwork, resilience and confidence the Award provides and is inline with our whole school values and ethos.
Personal Development Days
We are so committed to the Personal Development of our students that we also dedicate 5 days a year to a tailored timetable where students have the opportunity to learn beyond the curriculum. These PD days are designed in alignment with our core values and give students the time and space to gain knowledge that will allow them to make the most of their life.
| Personal Development days | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Ambition: Careers | Day 2 Achieve : Study Skills | Day 3 Resilience : Mental Wellbeing | Day 4 Learn : Money & Finance | Day 5 Respect : Physical Wellbeing |
| Students will learn about different career paths and type of employment. They will learn the difference between a job and a career and the salaries to reflect this. | Students will learn how to effectively build revision timetables and materials and how to use their classwork for revision. In addition, students will look at how to manage time and stress whilst studying. | tudents will have a 1-1 wellbeing meeting where they will discuss their experiences at home and school, developing a positive relationship with members of school staff. | Students will learn about money, including different types of income and expenditure. Students will develop their understanding of cash, debt, credit and loans whilst looking at budgeting and managing finances. | Students will learn about respecting their bodies and taking care of their physical wellbeing. Students will look at personal hygiene, healthy eating and getting their bodies moving as well as the importance of rest and recovery. |
Trips and Visits
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Some of the most memorable and powerful learning experiences happen when students step into the wider world through trips and visits. These opportunities bring learning to life, spark curiosity, and create lasting memories that inspire students long after the day is over.
Aims of our trips and experiences beyond the classroom:
- To spark a curriculum interest in all our pupils
- To consolidate learning across the curriculum, applying learning in a range of contexts
- To inspire our pupils in particular fields of work, ensuring that role models are representative of our community
- For pupils to have memorable experiences
- To build independence and confidence
- To learn new skills that may nurture students strengths, talents and interests
By the end of a students journey through our school, we aim that our students will have experienced:
| An overnight residential memorable experience | Talking to someone about their chosen career | Attending a STEM linked experience | Visited at least one museum or gallery |
| Experienced a trip to central London | Seen a live theatre, play or musical | Competed at a sports arena | Visited a university |
| Attended employability workshops | Taken part in a music or drama workshop | Attended a workshop with the public services | Had a meaningful career encounter |
As well as an overnight residential and overseas visits offered to all students, there is also a variety of curriculm and careers linked trips that are tailored to each year group at this stage in their secondary school joruney:
| Year group | Yearly visits offered | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Royal Courts of Justice | West End Theatre Trip | St Marys University | Harry Potter World |
| 8 | Local Learning Area Business Walks | The Bank of England | University taster day | The Globe Theatre |
| 9 | Williams Racing | London Landmarks | Goldsmith's University | Sports Tournament |
| 10 | The Globe Theatre | Cadbury World | Gallery Visit | Roehampton University |
| 11 | Leadership Training | Theatre Tip | Revision Residential | Geography Field Trip |
The Tasso Foundation
At Meridian High School, we believe work experience is more than just a placement – it’s a chance for students to discover their passions, develop essential skills and gain a real insight into the world of work. By stepping into professional environments, students see how their learning connects to future careers, build confidence, and develop the resilience employers value. Inspirational work experience opens doors, broadens horizons, and empowers our young people to imagine and achieve their future ambitions.
The Tasso Foundation changes outcomes and futures for the better. Meridian High School is working with The Tasso Foundation and the GLF Foundation to provide memorable work experience placements for our Year 10 students.
The Tasso Foundation has already made a profound difference in the lives of students across numerous schools. Through immersive programming, mentorship initiatives, and providing critical resources, the foundation is opening doors to brighter futures.
Please click on the link below and watch the Meridian High School video which highlight some of the Foundation’s work to date, capturing the empowerment, joy, and expanded horizons now possible for these deserving youth. Explore the tangible ways the Tasso Foundation is uplifting the next generation.
The Tasso Foundation and GLF Schools
'Pledge a Promise'
If you are in a position where your company can pledge a promise in which our students will benefit from an aspirational work experience please do get in touch with Phoebe Arnold (Instagram phoebearnold https://www.instagram.com/phoebearnold/reel/C58xYgEIhTw/ ) or email Miss Wallace at r.wallace@meridianhigh.london
