Personal Development Programme

Welcome to 'Westleigh Edge' - our Personal Development Programme at The Westleigh School.

Year 7

The Year 7 Westleigh Edge programme, Discovering Aspirations, helps students explore their future ambitions, interests, and potential career pathways. Using the Unifrog platform, students research careers, universities, and subject links while developing a better understanding of their own skills, strengths, and interests. Activities such as dream job investigations, careers research, skills profiling, and discussions about future goals encourage students to think positively about their aspirations and the opportunities available to them.

The programme also places a strong emphasis on personal development and reflection. Students regularly review their progress, set goals, complete interest quizzes, and record their learning through reflections and pledges. In the summer term, they take part in an entrepreneurship project, designing and pitching a business idea while developing teamwork, creativity, and leadership skills. The year concludes with a celebration of achievements and a reflection on the knowledge, skills, and aspirations developed throughout Year 7.

Year 8

The Year 8 Westleigh Edge programme, Exploring Skills, builds on the foundations established in Year 7 by helping students identify, develop, and showcase their personal strengths. Through the Unifrog platform, students explore career options in greater depth, complete interests and skills assessments, investigate a range of industries, and reflect on the qualities that contribute to success in different careers. Activities such as teacher career interviews, job research projects, leadership tasks, and discussions about workplace values encourage students to think critically about their future aspirations and the skills they need to achieve them.

A key focus of the programme is preparing students for future pathways through goal setting, CV building, and virtual work experience. Students regularly update their skills profiles, review personal development targets, explore post-16 options, and reflect on their progress. By the end of the year, they have gained a stronger understanding of career opportunities, developed essential employability skills, and created clear aspirations to support their transition into Year 9.

Year 9

The Year 9 Westleigh Edge programme, Making Informed Choices, focuses on helping students make confident decisions about their future education and career pathways. As students prepare for Key Stage 4 and GCSE options, they use the Unifrog platform to explore subject choices, career sectors, and labour market information while developing essential life skills. Activities such as career research, budgeting workshops, guest speaker reflections, and communication skills development encourage students to understand the links between their interests, skills, and future opportunities.

A strong emphasis is placed on planning and preparation for the future. Students create and refine CVs, practise interview techniques, set short- and long-term goals, investigate higher education pathways, and develop career vision boards. Regular self-assessment and reflection activities help students identify their strengths and areas for growth while building confidence in their decision-making. By the end of the year, students have a clearer understanding of potential career routes, improved employability skills, and well-informed plans to support their transition into Key Stage 4 and beyond.

Year 10

The Year 10 Westleigh Edge programme, Building for the Future, focuses on helping students actively plan their pathways to success while preparing for the professional world. Utilizing the Unifrog platform, students set up profiles, research post-16 options - including colleges, apprenticeships, and sixth forms - and analyze labour market information. Key activities such as mock interviews, cover letter workshops, personal statement drafting, and application skills development encourage students to think critically about their employability and future career goals.

A strong emphasis is also placed on personal development, reflection, and practical preparation. Students engage in work experience planning, problem-solving and leadership modules, and interaction with employers and guest speakers. Throughout the year, they consistently update their CVs, complete skills audits, and set goals, saving their reflections and pledges in their Unifrog Locker. The year concludes with a presentation of showcases and a celebration of achievements.

Year 11

The Year 11 Westleigh Edge programme, What’s Next?, focuses on helping students secure their future destinations and successfully transition from school. Utilizing the Unifrog platform, students explore post-16 pathways, complete personality quizzes, and conduct application research for colleges, apprenticeships, and jobs. Key activities such as complete intentions forms, mock interview practice, personal statement drafting, and budgeting workshops encourage students to think critically about their independent lives.

A strong emphasis is also placed on personal development, reflection, and wellbeing. Students engage in workplace insights, stress management sessions, and personalized one-to-one options meetings. Throughout the year, they regularly update their goals, track application confirmations, and finalize their CVs. The year concludes with graduation planning, the compilation of career passports, and a celebration of student successes as they confirm their post-16 destinations.