Personal Development at Reddish Hall School.
Learning outside the classroom is particularly important for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, autism, and ADHD because it provides flexible, inclusive learning opportunities that support their individual strengths and needs. The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice (DfE & DoH, 2015) emphasises that all children and young people should have access to high-quality, inclusive teaching that removes barriers to learning and enables them to achieve the best possible educational and wider outcomes. Outdoor and experiential learning environments can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, increase motivation, and provide opportunities for movement and sensory regulation, which are particularly beneficial for pupils with autism and ADHD. For children with SEMH needs, learning beyond the classroom promotes resilience, confidence, positive relationships and emotional wellbeing through practical, collaborative experiences. By adapting the learning environment to meet individual needs, educators demonstrate the inclusive practice advocated by the SEND Code of Practice, ensuring that pupils can engage meaningfully with the curriculum while developing essential social, emotional and life skills.
Reddish Hall School provides a highly ambitious and comprehensive Personal Development programme that extends well beyond the classroom. Pupils benefit from weekly Learning Outside the Classroom experiences, a broad afterschool and breaktime club offer, Duke of Edinburgh accreditation, residential visits, careers education, visiting speakers and a year-round Friday Options programme. Opportunities promote resilience, independence, creativity, physical wellbeing, community participation and preparation for adulthood. The breadth, regularity and accessibility of provision ensure that pupils experience a rich and varied curriculum that strongly supports their personal development and wellbeing.
Afterschool & Breaktime Clubs
Due to the distance and travel arrangements of some of the pupils at Reddish Hall School, afterschool clubs can be difficult for many to attend and rely on the engagement of parents and carers to facilitate transport. Throughout the year, 23 structured afterschool enrichment opportunities were offered, with 32 pupils attending at least one afterschool club. The programme supported pupils’ physical development, creativity, literacy, careers education, vocational learning and social interaction, demonstrating strong commitment to personal development and pupil wellbeing.
Due to the above difficulties, a broad programme of breaktime clubs is on offer to all pupils during the school day.
Learning Outside the Classroom
A comprehensive and highly ambitious Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) programme that provides pupils with regular access to curriculum-linked visits, enrichment activities, outdoor learning, residential experiences and personal development opportunities throughout the academic year. All classes participate in a structured programme that includes visits to locations such as the Heights of Abraham, Liverpool World Museum, Chatsworth House, Ordsall Hall, the University of Manchester, the National Football Museum, Peak Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern, alongside geography fieldwork, science activities and vocational learning experiences. Pupils also benefit from guest speakers, including the Fire Service, computer science professionals and author Curtiss Jobling, as well as media and podcasting opportunities. Outdoor and adventurous activities are embedded throughout the programme through the Anderton Centre, local walks, orienteering, National Trust activities, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (KS4), and residential experiences such as the Italy ski trip and DofE expeditions. In addition, pupils access a broad programme of enrichment and end-of-term activities including theatre visits, activity weeks, Blackpool trips and Wentworth Castle orienteering. This extensive programme promotes physical health, resilience, independence, teamwork, careers awareness, cultural understanding and preparation for adulthood, while strengthening pupils’ engagement with the curriculum through meaningful real-world experiences.
Life Skills
Reddish Hall School delivers a progressive Life Skills curriculum that prepares pupils for independence, adulthood and active participation in society. The programme is carefully sequenced from Years 7 to 11, covering key areas including safety, financial literacy, domestic living, nutrition, self-care, careers and travel training. Pupils develop knowledge and practical skills in topics such as online safety, budgeting, banking, saving, debt awareness, household management, food preparation, personal hygiene, first aid, consumer rights, stress management and interview techniques. As pupils move through the school, the curriculum becomes increasingly focused on preparation for adulthood, including employment skills, CV writing, professional communication, work experience, careers education, apprenticeships, independent living, healthy relationships, travel training and accessing further education opportunities. The curriculum provides pupils with the confidence, resilience and practical knowledge needed to make informed decisions, manage everyday responsibilities and successfully transition into adulthood.
Friday Options
Pupils access either Silver or Gold options via points collected each week that are linked to learning and social expectations. Pupils have access to an ambitious and diverse Friday Options programme across both sites and all years, offering pupils regular opportunities to develop social skills, independence, wellbeing and community engagement through a wide range of activities. Pupils access community-based experiences such as bowling, mini golf, Laser Quest, Dice Box gaming café, cycling, cafés, restaurants and local leisure venues, alongside weekly football and other physical activities that promote health and teamwork. Creative opportunities include clay modelling, slime making, fuse beads, baking, craft activities and film sessions, while onsite provision offers access to gaming, ICT, music, social spaces and wellbeing activities. The programme enables pupils to make meaningful choices, develop confidence in community settings, build positive relationships and practise essential life skills such as budgeting, communication and decision-making. Together with the school’s wider Learning Outside the Classroom, enrichment, Duke of Edinburgh, residential and careers programmes, the Friday Options offer makes a significant contribution to pupils’ personal development, preparation for adulthood, physical wellbeing and social development.
Comparable data from 24-5 and 25-6
The headline data produced by the Evolve system, shown below, demonstrates the increasing opportunities for outside the classroom learning via adventurous activities, curriculum and enrichment visits, and in 2025-6, the introduction of residentials and overseas travel.
