Personal Development & SMSC
At St John Fisher Catholic High School, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every student is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness. We believe that each individual deserves the opportunity to thrive, and we actively work to create a community that is welcoming and inclusive. Every student, regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion, or personal background, is valued equally. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of equality, ensuring that no one is subjected to discrimination or harassment, and that everyone feels safe, accepted, and able to contribute meaningfully to our school life. Our mission is to provide fair and equal opportunities for all students to reach their full potential. This means giving every individual the support, encouragement, and resources they need to succeed both academically and personally. We aim to nurture not only the intellectual growth of our students but also their personal and social development, helping them become confident, compassionate, and responsible citizens. Through this inclusive approach, we ensure that St John Fisher is not just a place of learning, but a supportive community where every student is empowered to achieve their personal best.
Holistic Education for Well-Rounded Individuals
Our curriculum and extra-curricular offerings aim to produce well-rounded individuals, equipped with the skills needed for life and work in modern Britain. Our focus on personal development ensures that students leave school with the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health, and relationships.
Through these programs, students learn resilience, how to face challenges, and how to seek support when needed. Our commitment to developing the whole child extends beyond the classroom, with opportunities for enrichment through trips, residential visits, and after-school clubs.
Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) Development
SMSC development is at the heart of personal development at St John Fisher. It encompasses all aspects of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education, teaching students to be the best versions of themselves and to become responsible, well-rounded citizens of tomorrow.
We aim to nurture and develop the whole person, helping students explore and develop their own values and contribute positively to society. SMSC is taught fortnightly in form groups through an inclusive, age-appropriate curriculum, helping students understand their role in the world.
At St John Fisher High School, we are committed to promoting the following aspects:
SPIRITUAL
MORAL
SOCIAL
CULTURAL
What Students Will Learn from SMSC
1
Democracy
Understanding their influence in school and local communities through democratic processes.
3
Individual Liberty
Appreciating the freedom of personal choice, particularly in matters of faith and belief.
2
Rule of Law
Recognizing the importance of law in protecting individuals and ensuring societal wellbeing.
4
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Learning to respect others’ differing beliefs and opinions, and understanding the consequences of discrimination or prejudice.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
Today’s young people face the challenge of navigating an increasingly complex world, both online and offline. At St John Fisher, we provide comprehensive Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) to equip students with the knowledge and skills to manage their academic, personal, and social lives in a positive way.
RSE is compulsory in all secondary schools, and we have partnered with Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit social enterprise, to deliver tailored sessions to students in Years 7 to 11.
RSE Curriculum Details
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Year 7, 8, 10 and 11 - Two sessions each
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Year 9 - Four sessions
British Values
British Values are intrinsically linked to the school’s mission statement, “learning together as a community in Christ”. By this we mean that the values of tolerance and consideration are embedded in our school community. The five identified values are:
Democracy
The school supports democratic values in various ways – both as part of our school curriculum and in an extra-curricular capacity. For instance, we have an active and purposeful school council that is comprised of elected representatives from all forms and year groups. Pupils’ views from this forum are valued and have impacted on change within the school. Each year, a mock election day takes place during which a whole year group explore the workings of the British democratic process, leading to a vote to determine the most effective party.
Rule of law
In school we have an inclusive behaviour policy to which pupils are held accountable. Rules and regulations are enforced consistently across the curriculum and pupils are aware of the consequences of failing to meet agreed expectations. Standards cards help to reinforce these expected behaviours. The school also recognises, through its rewards system, those who exhibit exemplary standards since it is important their contributions are valued. Additionally, the school works closely with outside agencies to ensure that pupils are aware of what is expected of them as British citizens in the wider community.
Individual liberty
It is our firm belief that all pupils should be given the opportunity to make appropriate personal choices and we offer the support and guidance to enable them to do so. For example, pupils, after individual learning conversations, have the ability to make option choices in Year 9. The school’s ethos supports pupils to be independent, resilient learners. Furthermore, pupils have the freedom to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including school productions, sports teams and whole school clubs. Within our collective worship programme there are opportunities for pupils to participate in discussions and debates during which they are encouraged to consider and express their own individual viewpoints.
Mutual respect
St. John Fisher’s mission statement recognises that we are all learners in the image of Christ. Inclusion is at the heart of our ethos and we make every effort to support all our pupils and in particular the most vulnerable – both within our school and the wider community. Our charitable endeavours include supporting Cafod, the Brick Foundation, and Cancer Research UK among others. Bullying – in all its forms – has no place within our school and it is our priority to ensure that pupils feel safe and nurtured. The recent Kirkland Rowell surveys identified our efforts to eradicate bullying based on the positive, respectful relationships between our staff and pupils. They were seen as outstanding strengths of our school
Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
The school’s ever-increasing cultural diversity has enhanced our community and we go to great lengths to ensure that everyone is respected and valued. Tolerance towards those of other faiths features strongly in the R.E and Humanities curriculum, and cross-curricular activities (such as our annual Holocaust Day) contribute to ensuring that our students are aware of the injustices of the past in order to encourage a tolerant outlook for the future. Elsewhere in the curriculum, literature and poetry from other cultures and traditions feature prominently in English lessons and the modern foreign languages department offers students the chance to explore the traditions of other countries, both within the curriculum and on trips.
These values are further reinforced across various subjects, including History, Drama, and Sociology, allowing students to develop a deep understanding of their role as responsible citizens in modern Britain.
Pupil Leadership Opportunities
School Council
At St John Fisher, we encourage student leadership through our School Council, where each form group (Years 7–11) is represented. Elected by their peers, School Council members propose new ideas, discuss school developments, and contribute to the improvement of our school community. Past initiatives have included the refurbishment of the school canteen and updates to uniform options.
Prefects
In Year 11, students are given the opportunity to become Prefects, taking on important roles in supporting school operations and acting as role models for younger students. Prefects embody our school values of respect, kindness, and leadership, and help with tasks like supporting Year Teams and curriculum departments.
Catholic Life and Mission Ambassadors
Students at St John Fisher can also apply to become Catholic Life and Mission Ambassadors. Working closely with our Chaplaincy team, they plan and coordinate activities that support our Catholic ethos, including leading prayer services, fundraising projects, and community care initiatives like litter picking. These roles help students develop leadership, confidence, and problem-solving skills, making a positive impact on both the school and the wider community. Ambassadors work across year groups and take part in an annual day retreat.
Fisher Future Leaders Programme
The Future Leaders Programme gives students the opportunity to develop the skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. This optional leadership award allows students to showcase their achievements and reflect on the FISHER skills they've honed. To qualify, students complete a leadership application, which Mrs. Rigby and the Senior Leadership Team review, taking attendance, punctuality, and behaviour into account.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to shape your future! Speak to Mr Maw or Mrs Drake to get involved and take the first step toward becoming a leader of tomorrow.