Voice, Choice and Belonging

Our Approach: 

At Alexandra Park, personal development is rooted in Voice, Choice and Belonging. We want every child to feel confident expressing themselves, to have meaningful opportunities to shape their experiences and to know that they are valued members of our school community. These principles underpin the way we learn, work together and make a positive contribution to school life.

Voice

We want every child to feel confident sharing their thoughts, expressing their ideas and knowing that their voice matters. Through oracy, Class Forums, Talk Assemblies, pupil leadership and our School Parliament, children learn to communicate clearly, listen attentively, build on others’ ideas and challenge different viewpoints respectfully.

Our School Parliament gives children a meaningful opportunity to influence school life. Through our Reading, Arts and Eco Councils, pupils share feedback, raise ideas and contribute to decisions about the areas that matter to them. We help children understand that their views are valued, their contributions can make a difference and participation is an important part of belonging to a community.

Choice

We believe children should have meaningful opportunities to make choices, take responsibility and influence aspects of their school experience. Through pupil leadership, collaborative activities and opportunities to contribute ideas, children develop independence, confidence and a sense of ownership.

Our carefully planned curriculum also opens doors to new experiences, ideas, cultures and perspectives. Through learning, books, visitors, trips and wider opportunities, children discover new interests, broaden their horizons and develop the curiosity and confidence to make informed choices about their lives.

Belonging

We want every child to know that they matter, that they are valued for who they are and that they belong at Alexandra Park. Our values of Care, Aspire and Achieve underpin the relationships, expectations and experiences that shape daily life in school. We celebrate individuality, recognise positive contributions and encourage children to show kindness, respect and understanding. Through our inclusive culture, children learn to appreciate differences, build positive relationships and take pride in being part of a community in which everyone has a role to play.

What Personal Development Looks Like at Alexandra Park

Pupil Voice and Democracy

Class Forums, Talk Assemblies and our School Parliament give children regular opportunities to share their views, raise questions and contribute to decision-making. Through our Reading, Arts, Eco and other Councils, children help shape aspects of school life and develop an understanding of democracy, representation and collective responsibility. These opportunities encourage children to listen to one another, express their ideas with confidence and recognise that different perspectives are important. We value pupil voice and aim to ensure that children see how their contributions can make a meaningful difference to our school community, helping them develop a sense of ownership, agency and belonging. For more information on our pupil parliament, click here.

Oracy and Communication

As a Voice 21 Oracy School, we place great importance on developing confident, thoughtful communicators. Children learn to articulate their thinking, listen carefully, ask purposeful questions, build on others’ ideas and disagree respectfully. Through structured discussions, collaborative tasks and partner work, children have regular opportunities to share their thinking, explore different perspectives and learn from each another. Working with a partner encourages children to take turns, listen with purpose, explain their reasoning and develop ideas together. These experiences help pupils recognise the value of collaboration, build confidence in their own voice and understand that everyone has something important to contribute. These skills support children to participate confidently in learning, build positive relationships and engage with the wider world.

Celebrating Achievement and Positive Contributions

We celebrate children who demonstrate our school values, embrace positive Learning Behaviours and make a difference to those around them. Our Star of the Week and Peer Star of the Week celebrations recognise not only achievement, but also kindness, effort, responsibility and the everyday actions that strengthen our school community. Meeting the Headteacher for drinks and biscuits provides a further opportunity to celebrate children’s achievements, listen to their experiences and hear their views in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Understanding the Wider World

Through our curriculum, books, visitors, trips and shared experiences, children encounter people, cultures and ideas beyond their own lives. We welcome a range of inspiring visitors, including authors who share their stories and creative processes, Paralympians who demonstrate resilience, determination and the power of challenging expectations, and nurses who help children understand the importance of care, compassion and making a difference in the lives of others. These experiences bring learning to life, broaden children's aspirations and help them recognise the many different ways people contribute to society.

We encourage children to ask questions, think critically, appreciate different perspectives and develop a genuine curiosity about the world. Through meeting people with different experiences, backgrounds and expertise, children learn to value diversity, recognise shared values and understand that everyone has something to offer. We want children to recognise both their place in their local community and their responsibilities as members of a wider society, developing the confidence and empathy to make a positive contribution to the world around them.

Leadership, Teamwork and Responsibility

Children are encouraged to work collaboratively, take responsibility and lead by example. Through the School Parliament, pupil councils, class responsibilities and opportunities to support others, they develop independence, resilience and confidence. We want every child to understand that leadership is not simply about having a role or title; it is about making thoughtful choices, supporting others and using their strengths to make a positive difference.