Personal Development

Our fundamental aim is to nurture children with exceptional character traits, preparing them for the challenges they'll face in today's world.

It's crucial that our students at Harris Academy Chobham understand and respect differences, comprehend important global issues, show confidence and express themselves well, and have the courage to try new things.

This goal reflects our school's core values of inclusion, honesty, and respect, and our vision of helping children grow into caring, curious, ambitious, self-assured, and successful individuals.

Our curriculum goes beyond just academics, focusing on developing children in all aspects of life. We teach them important knowledge they'll need as responsible citizens, getting them ready for adulthood by helping them understand how to be active members of society and giving them plenty of chances to put this into practice.

Additionally, we offer opportunities for children to explore and strengthen their own beliefs and values; develop their spiritual awareness; maintain excellent personal behaviour; foster a caring attitude towards others; learn about their own culture and traditions, and appreciate the diversity and richness of other cultures.

At our academy, we foster an inclusive environment where every learner can fully enjoy their educational experience. Our curriculum and learning opportunities are thoughtfully designed to ensure that all students have access to a comprehensive and well-rounded education.

PSHE

At our school, every activity, conversation, and class fosters effective communication, collaboration with both adults and peers, and builds confidence and resilience in children. Our comprehensive PSHE curriculum empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to lead safe, healthy, and independent lives now and in the future.

For further detail on our PSHE curriculum, please click here.

House System

At Harris Primary Chobham, we have a special house system to strengthen the bond amongst our students. This system creates a family-like environment, fostering unity and friendship across our academy. It's a way for students to feel valued and connected with their peers throughout their journey here. Our houses are are Adichie, Mandela, Franklin, Bannister, Ramanujan and Himid, named after a group of inspirational individuals, whose talents span many subjects.

Our house system also celebrates exceptional behaviour, linking back to our ICHEER school values.  Students earn 'values' points not just for good conduct but also for taking part in activities like sports, quizzes, and inter-house contests. These points reflect our commitment to promoting positive behaviour and upholding the values we cherish at Harris Primary Chobham.

A charity house event is organised every half term, supporting a different cause each time. Past events have included: Children in Need, Carnival for Cancer Research, Purple Day for Kidney Research UK and Games Day for Mind Charity. Each charity has been voted for by the students of the specific house, with the support of the house leader, at the beginning of every academic year.

Diverse Books

We are committed to fostering personal development, emphasising the importance of diversity and inclusion. Our library and book corners are stocked with a wide range of diverse reading materials, ensuring that all children can see themselves and their experiences reflected in the stories they read. The books selected for literacy studies are thoughtfully chosen to address and reflect the issues pertinent to our local community and student body, including themes such as refugees, immigration, friendship challenges, and gender identity. By engaging with these diverse narratives, students not only enhance their literacy skills but also develop empathy, understanding, and a broader perspective on the world around them. For a link to our recommended reading lists for each year group, please click here.

Personal Development Days 

We prioritise the personal development of our students by organising annual Personal Development Days for both KS1 and KS2. These special days allow every child to step away from their regular timetable and engage in enriching activities that connect them to the wider world. For our KS1 students, options have included exciting experiences such as falafel making, keyring making, dance, pottery, first aid, and singing. Meanwhile, our KS2 students have enjoyed a diverse range of activities including poetry, crochet, clay modelling, and Zumba. These hands-on, creative sessions not only enhance students' practical skills but also broaden their horizons, encouraging them to explore new interests. Please find pictures at the bottom of this page!