Our Safeguarding, SMSC and Personal Development Curriculum

At Redwood, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that keeping children safe goes beyond policies and procedures; it requires a carefully planned curriculum that equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate an ever-changing world.

Recognising the specific needs of our children, our community and the challenges facing young people today, we have developed our own bespoke Safeguarding and Personal Development Curriculum. This curriculum has been intentionally designed to complement and enhance our PSHE provision, ensuring that safeguarding, wellbeing, personal development and SMSC education are woven throughout school life.

Our curriculum is built around carefully selected weekly themes that reflect current safeguarding priorities, local context and emerging issues affecting children and families. Each week begins with a whole-school assembly that introduces a key theme, such as Speak Out, Stay Safe (including online safety); Healthy and Happy (including mental health); British Values; Working Together; Everyone Matters and Celebrating Diversity. These themes are then revisited and explored through classroom discussions, planned activities and wider curriculum opportunities throughout the week, enabling children to deepen their understanding and apply their learning in meaningful contexts.

We take a proactive approach to safeguarding education, ensuring that children regularly revisit key messages such as speaking out, seeking help from trusted adults, personal safety, online behaviour and making positive choices. Through this carefully sequenced approach, pupils develop the knowledge and resilience needed to recognise risks, make informed decisions and keep themselves and others safe.

Alongside safeguarding, our curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing children's aspirations and broadening their horizons. Through our weekly Little People, Big Dreams assemblies, pupils learn about inspirational individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and professions. By exploring the lives, achievements and challenges of influential figures, children are encouraged to believe in their own potential, develop ambition and understand that determination and resilience can help them achieve their goals.

Our curriculum also promotes the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils. Through the exploration of British Values, global citizenship, equality, diversity, faiths and celebrations, children develop respect, empathy and an understanding of the world around them. Opportunities to engage with national awareness events, charitable initiatives and community projects further strengthen pupils' sense of responsibility and belonging.

By carefully integrating safeguarding, personal development, SMSC education and aspirational learning into the fabric of Redwood life, we ensure that our pupils are not only academically prepared for the future, but also equipped to become safe, confident, respectful and responsible members of society.

Our curriculum is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains relevant, responsive and reflective of the needs of our pupils and the wider world, enabling us to provide an education that is both purposeful and impactful.