Supporting pupils to lead happy, confident and independent lives

The Milton Personal Development Programme is a structured, whole-school approach designed to support the success and wellbeing of every pupil.
It goes beyond lessons and is embedded across daily school life — from assemblies and enrichment activities to pastoral care, life skills and pupil voice.

Our programme helps pupils develop the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to live healthy, independent lives and to become caring, informed and responsible citizens.

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Our School Values

• Be Kind – showing care, respect and empathy for others

• Be Proud – celebrating achievements and personal growth

• Be Creative – encouraging curiosity, imagination and confidence

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Our Curriculum Drivers

Our personal development curriculum is underpinned by five key drivers:

• Independence – building confidence, autonomy and self-reliance

• Functionality – developing practical skills for everyday life

• Choice – empowering pupils to make informed decisions

• Voice – supporting pupils to express feelings, needs and opinions

• Joy in Living – promoting wellbeing, happiness and fulfilment

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Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE)

We deliver weekly PSHE lessons using the Jigsaw Programme, supporting pupils’ personal, social and emotional development through six key themes:

• Being Me in My World

• Celebrating Difference (including anti-bullying and diversity)

• Dreams and Goals

• Healthy Me

• Relationships

• Changing Me (age-appropriate relationships and sex education)

Together, these themes help pupils become confident, resilient and respectful individuals.

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Religious Education (RE)

Religious Education follows the Rotherham Agreed Syllabus and supports pupils to explore big questions about life, belief and identity.

Pupils develop understanding through:

• Enquiry and investigation

• Beliefs, teachings and practices

• Identity, experience and values

• Respect for different religions and worldviews

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Life Skills & Preparation for Adulthood

Personal development at Milton includes structured teaching and daily rehearsal of essential life skills.

My Independence (Younger Pupils)

• Travel training

• Dressing and self-care

• Shopping

• Food preparation

• Understanding the local community

Preparation for Adulthood (Older Pupils)

• Independent living skills

• Household management

• Budgeting and shopping

• Travel and community access

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Assemblies & Collective Experiences

Assemblies bring our school community together to:

• Celebrate achievements

• Reflect on values and behaviour

• Learn about safety and wellbeing

• Explore British Values and equality

We also welcome visiting speakers and community partners to enrich pupils’ experiences.

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Pupil Voice & Current Affairs

• Picture News – weekly discussions supporting confidence and critical thinking

• Newsround – helping pupils understand local, national and global events

These sessions promote respectful discussion, empathy and awareness of equality and protected characteristics.

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Pastoral Support & Wellbeing

Strong relationships are at the heart of our school.

• Daily meet-and-greet and breakfast check-ins

• Pastoral mentors, ELSA support and mental health provision

• Targeted interventions including art, music and occupational therapy

Support is carefully planned, reviewed and personalised to meet individual needs.

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Careers & Work-Related Learning

From Year 7, pupils are supported to prepare for their next steps through:

• Recognised qualifications and life-skills awards

• Independent careers advice and guidance

• CV writing and interview preparation

• Safe, supported work-experience opportunities

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Enrichment, Visits & The Milton 40

The Milton 40 is a structured set of key experiences designed to build:

• Confidence

• Cultural capital

• Community awareness

• Creativity

Pupils take part in local visits, school trips, workshops and residential experiences.

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Clubs, Talents & Interests

We offer a wide range of inclusive clubs, including:

• Music and performance

• Sports and physical activity

• Creative and practical clubs

Pupil voice helps shape our club offer, ensuring activities reflect pupils’ interests and strengths.

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Leadership & Responsibility

Pupils are encouraged to take on leadership roles such as:

• School Council

• Ambassadors

• Classroom responsibilities

These roles support confidence, communication and organisational skills.

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Community & Volunteering

Pupils learn the importance of kindness and citizenship through:

• Charity events and national campaigns

• Community clean-ups and food bank support

• Creative contributions to local organisations

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Working with Families

We work closely with parents and carers through:

• Coffee mornings and workshops

• Curriculum and online safety sessions

• Regular communication and shared planning

Strong partnerships help us support pupils both in school and at home.

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Further Information

A full overview of the Milton Personal Development Programme is available in our downloadable document