Personal Development

At St. Michael’s CE Primary Academy, personal development isn’t an add-on to education—it’s a vital thread woven through every aspect of school life. In a primary setting, personal development means nurturing the whole child: helping them to grow not just academically, but emotionally, socially, spiritually, and morally. It’s about building character, resilience, and confidence—laying down the roots of well-being that will support our pupils through secondary school and beyond.

In today’s world, children are growing up amidst complex pressures. Mental health concerns are rising, social isolation is more common, and the constant hum of digital life can often drown out real human connection. These challenges are felt even more sharply in communities like Handsworth, where economic inequality, limited green space, and social barriers can impact children’s sense of security, opportunity and self-worth.

That’s why personal development matters so deeply at St. Michael’s. Our school is more than just a place of learning—it’s a space of belonging, healing, and hope. We create opportunities for children to experience joy, leadership, responsibility, nature, nurture, community, and calm. Whether it’s through cycling on a summer’s evening, serving tea to local elders, growing vegetables in the allotment, or sharing a meal at Supper Club, every experience is designed to help children flourish, find purpose, and become confident, kind citizens of the world.

By investing in personal development, we’re not just preparing our pupils to pass tests. We’re preparing them to navigate life with courage, compassion, and curiosity.

Personal Development: A Flavour of what we offer

Barnes Close

Formerly the home of the Cadbury family, Barnes Close is now a retreat centre set in the peaceful Worcestershire countryside. It offers our pupils, parents, and staff a chance to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and one another.

Our fortnightly visits allow small groups to escape the pace of inner-city life, explore nature, reflect on faith and identity, and enjoy gentle outdoor adventures such as woodland walks, arts and crafts, and games with friends. Barnes Close is a sanctuary for spiritual growth, friendship, and peace.

Brig House 

Established in 1969, Brig House is a residential education centre designed to give children from underserved communities access to high-quality outdoor learning. Nestled in the Warwickshire countryside, it offers a striking contrast to urban Handsworth.

Each year, pupils from Key Stage Two spend up to nine nights at Brig House, immersing themselves in woodland adventures, team-building games, and life away from screens. Activities include campfire cooking, shelter building, nature walks, and memory-making moments with friends.

Inter-School Sport 

Access to community sports in Handsworth is limited, which makes school-based sport vital. At St. Michael’s, we proudly offer a rich programme of inter-school competitions and physical enrichment.

Our pupils participate in football, athletics, netball, and a host of other activities in collaboration with other local schools. Sport fosters teamwork, discipline, and confidence—and provides positive experiences for children who may not have other opportunities to engage in organised sport.

Family Club 

Every Tuesday, our school community hub becomes a space for families to play and socialise. Family Club offers games, crafts, construction toys, conversation—and, of course, plenty of tea and biscuits. It’s a relaxed space for families to connect with staff, other parents, and their children, strengthening school relationships in a warm, informal setting.

Supper Club 

The post-pandemic world we inhabit is one of increasing disconnection. It’s a world where human-connection is at an all-time low; a place where Zoom and Teams meetings have replaced face-to-face interactions. Social media is a world of polarised views, where differing opinions can incite a ferocious backlash.  We are disconnected from those of different demographics and are explosively divided on social issues. We have forgotten how to be comfortable alone, and we have forgotten how to be comfortable together.

It’s not just reflected in the little things – phones at the dinner table; “doom-scrolling” on the couch; going to a party and everyone sticking to the friends they came with. Our world is increasingly lonely and more prone to spend spare time stuck in screens rather than in real-life conversation.

We want to connect our community; to introduce people who would not otherwise meet over a great meal. 

Once a month, Supper Club brings people together over great food and conversation. In a world where screens often replace face-to-face contact, this event offers a welcome opportunity for genuine connection.

Families share a free, home-cooked meal while enjoying music, games, and shared stories. Supper Club builds bridges between families, year groups, and generations—reigniting the power of community.

Cycling Club 

With generous support from charitable partners, we’ve created a vibrant Cycling Club. Many of our pupils don’t own bikes or lack safe places to ride. Our club provides them with bikes, helmets, and a secure space to learn and play.

Children not only ride together—they also learn practical maintenance skills like fixing punctures, adjusting brakes, and looking after their bikes. It’s fitness, fun, and independence all rolled into one.

Birmingham Royal Ballet – Dance Track

 

Dance Track is a talent identification programme aimed at training young dancers aged from six to eight. The project endeavours to identify and train young participants showing a potential for ballet and to instil a passion for dance at an early age.

Every year 80 children from across Birmingham (including some of our very own pupils!) who show a talent for dance are invited to join the Dance Track programme. The participants, who often wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to participate in dance, are given free weekly ballet lessons taught by Birmingham Royal Ballet staff. Throughout the year they are invited to Birmingham Royal Ballet to have a look behind the scenes and to meet Company dancers, and are offered tickets to see Birmingham Royal Ballet performances at Birmingham Hippodrome. The activities offered are designed to introduce the young participants and their families to ballet and to incite an interest in the art form.

Breakfast Club 

At St. Michael’s, our Breakfast Club is a warm and welcoming way for children to start their day—and it’s completely free for all families, thanks to our valued partnership with the charity Magic Breakfast. This national organisation supports schools like ours in ensuring that no child starts the school day too hungry to learn.

Open every school morning, Breakfast Club provides pupils with a healthy, balanced meal that includes options such as cereal, bagels, and fresh fruit. It’s not just about nourishment—it’s also about community. Children have time to eat, chat, and play with friends in a relaxed and supportive environment before lessons begin.

We believe that a nutritious breakfast lays the groundwork for a productive day. It boosts concentration, supports wellbeing, and helps our pupils feel ready and focused to learn. For many of our children, especially in a community facing economic challenges, Breakfast Club is a vital part of the school routine—a space where every child is cared for, welcomed, and set up for success.

Pupil Leadership 

Pupils from across all year groups can join a pupil leadership body, including the School Council, Faith Council, Peer Mediators and Eco Council. Pupil leadership groups enable children to become advocates for their own needs and the needs of others. It lies at the heart of building a sense of community and trust in school and builds effective relationships. An investment in pupil leadership is a direct investment in tomorrow’s leaders of our schools and of our communities.

Termly pupil-led initiatives see local elderly residents invited into school as guests to be served and hosted as friends of the school. Events include Christmas dinner, bingo, and quizzes. 

Relationships between the oldest and youngest members of our community are essential. Unfortunately, the decline of families living in the same house has reduced the frequency that young people interact with older people. There are elderly members of our community who are isolated for large periods of the week, for whom the opportunity to interact with young people provides a boost for their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, such events provide our children with valuable opportunities to serve and care for others, characteristics that are required to develop a true sense of community in Handsworth.

Inter-Generational Community Projects

Bridging the gap between young and old is a vital part of life at St. Michael’s. Our pupils regularly host local elderly residents, sharing meals, stories, and laughter.

These meaningful relationships promote wellbeing, break down barriers, and remind us that strong communities are built on shared experience and mutual respect.

Educational Visits 

Pupils are provided with a wide range of educational visits during their time at St. Michael’s. Educational visits to places such as the seaside, the theatre and museums are subsidised to ensure no pupil misses out on the opportunity to experience a ‘school trip’.

Not only do school trips encourage pupils to learn outside of the classroom but they also allow children to socialise with peers in a different way than within day-to-day school. They give pupils the opportunity to visit places they otherwise may not experience. 

Community Allotment

In partnership with local volunteers, we’ve transformed unused land into a thriving school and community allotment. Pupils learn how to grow fruits and vegetables, while gaining knowledge about sustainability and healthy living.

Harvested produce is distributed through our Food Cupboard or sold by pupils at Birmingham’s Bullring Market—building entrepreneurial spirit and community pride.

Nurture Farm 

We have our own small farm, housing animals such as chickens, a rabbit, goats, alpacas, and lambs. Animals are ‘loaned’ from a Warwickshire farm with whom we have a strong working relationship.

School pets can help children develop emotional skills like empathy and social skills. They can be a great support for children who are struggling to settle into school and for children with special educational needs.

HAF Camp – Holiday Activity and Food Camp 

At the end of each term, we stage a Holiday Activity and Food Camp at St. Michael’s. All pupils have access to this free initiative. They are provided with daily supervised activities such as sport and art, while being provided with warm and nutritious breakfast and lunch meals.

Our HAF Camps are delivered in association with Handsworth Association of Schools and are open to all children. HAF camps provide our children with enjoyable activities during holiday periods.