Ash Manor Blog
Personal Development Day
At Ash Manor School, our Personal Development Days provide students with valuable opportunities to explore important topics beyond the traditional curriculum. Designed to support students' personal growth, wellbeing, and preparation for life beyond school, these dedicated days combine practical learning with engaging activities that help students develop essential knowledge, skills, and confidence. Our most recent Personal Development Day, held on Friday 3rd July, saw students across all year groups participate in a range of age-appropriate sessions focused on health, safety, financial awareness, and future aspirations.
Year 7 – Healthy Bodies, Minds and Exercise
Year 7 students enjoyed an active and engaging PD Day on the importance of maintaining healthy bodies and healthy minds. Throughout the day, students explored the links between physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental wellbeing, developing a greater understanding of how lifestyle choices can impact their overall health. Through a range of practical activities and discussions, students learned about the benefits of regular exercise and the positive effect it can have on concentration, mood, and resilience. The day encouraged students to reflect on their own habits and identify simple ways to support their wellbeing both in and out of school.
Year 8 – Financial Literacy
Year 8 students spent their PD Day developing their understanding of financial literacy and the skills to manage money responsibly. Through a variety of interactive activities, students explored topics such as budgeting, saving, spending, and making informed financial decisions. They considered the importance of planning for the future and learned how everyday choices can have a long-term impact on personal finances. The sessions encouraged students to think critically about money management and provided them with valuable knowledge that will help prepare them for greater financial independence in later life.
Year 9 – Health and Safety
Year 9 students took part in a practical and informative PD Day centred on health and safety. Throughout the day, students explored how to identify risks, respond appropriately in emergency situations, and make safe decisions in a variety of settings. A key highlight was the opportunity to learn and practise CPR using training dummies, allowing students to develop potentially life-saving skills in a supportive environment. The hands-on activities helped students build confidence while reinforcing the importance of remaining calm and acting responsibly when faced with an emergency. By the end of the day, students had gained valuable knowledge and practical skills that could benefit both themselves and others. Alongside this, they had a visit from an external speaker, educating them on the dangers of drug-induced behaviours and how this can lead to a much higher level of risk.
Year 10 – College Visits and CV Writing
Year 10 students focused on preparing for their future education and career pathways during a Personal Development Day dedicated to post-16 opportunities. Students visited local colleges, where they learned about the wide range of courses, qualifications, and experiences available after secondary school. These visits provided valuable insight into different learning environments and helped students begin considering their next steps. Back at school, students developed their employability skills through CV-writing workshops, learning how to present their achievements, skills, and experiences effectively. The day encouraged students to think ahead, set goals, and gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them in the future.
Previous Blogs - 2025/26
Bronze DofE Assessed Expedition - June 2026
Bronze DofE Training Expedition - May 2026
Performing Arts - May 2026
PE blog - May 2026
Citizenship blog - April 2026
Glive blog - April 2026
SSLT blog - March 2026
PD Day 3 - March 2026
Silver DofE Assessed Expedition - March 2026
Humanities Blog - March 2026
Maths Blog - Feb 2026
PD Day 2 - Jan 2026
Geography Fieldwork - Dec 2025
Culture Day - Nov 2025
Library Blog - Nov 2025
MFL Blog - Nov 2025
Personal Development Day - Oct 2025
Silver DofE Training Expedition - Oct 2025
English Blog - Sept 25
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