At St Michael’s Catholic primary school, we are committed to the personal development of our pupils going above and beyond the National Curriculum. Because of this, we are working towards the EPDA award, which recognises and evaluates our commitment to pupils’ personal development and growth, beyond the curriculum. The EPDA aims to provide schools with a structure and systematic approach to develop a ‘skills for life’ curriculum. The objectives outline the essential requirements to embed a culture and ethos which aims to develop pupils’ personal development and skills.

It involves the following requirements:

Objective 1 

Requires that leaders, including governors, to actively subscribe to the aims and process as a starting point. Including the award as part of the school’s development plan will enable the progress to be monitored regularly. A full review of the school’s current position through the self-evaluation task at the start of the award is essential to devising the action plan. There are then key policies which need to be reviewed and in place to ensure that all members of the school community understand the ethos and practice expected in the school.

Objective 2

Requires school policies that help with the personal development of pupils to be checked and monitored. It ensures that all members of the school community are taken into account.

Objective 3

Focuses on the content of the curriculum. This is because developing pupils’ knowledge is a prerequisite to ensuring that pupils become more skilled.  It is deliberately not overly prescriptive; however, there are essential elements that school should consider when devising their curriculum. The key aims in this, help schools to strengthen these elements of their curriculum. It is up to schools to decide the best approach and resources to meet these. It allows schools to strengthen their pastoral support and review their curriculum to support this support. 

Objective 4 

aim it to strengthen the school’s links with other partners both national and international, including charities and other professional bodies. By building these strong links pupils understand the support available to them especially in relation to their safety and wellbeing. Pupils are encouraged to get involved in national and international issues. By doing this, pupils are encouraged to develop their attitudes towards others.

Objective 5

Aim looks at developing the behaviour and attitude of our pupils. Schools are encouraged to develop a positive behaviour strategy. Pupils’ attitudes towards each other, difference and their learning are closely monitored in this objective.

Objective 6 

Aims to ensure that staff are effectively trained to support safeguarding and implement the pastoral curriculum. The quality of the knowledge and skills among staff is critical to the success of this award.

Objective 7 

Aims to develop the school’s partnership specifically with the local community, including parents/carers. This aims to encourage pupils to value what is available to them locally, and to understand their place in the community and how they can contribute.

Objective 8

Requires school to outline their plans for the future in maintaining the provision they have established for pupil's personal development and skills, to ensure the legacy of the award continues. 

The emphasis throughout the award is to encourage leaders to check the impact they are having on implementing their vision and plan to prepare young people for life. The award process supports leaders to evaluate and continuously improve this aspect of the education they provide in their schools. By the end of the process, you should have:

• a positive and well-embedded culture and ethos
• clear systems and policies
• more effective leaders and teachers
• a curriculum which is fit for purpose, relevant and successful
• and most importantly, pupils who are confident and socially aware.