Why the school chose the award

The Excellence in Pupil Development Award supports schools in creating a strategic and measurable approach to personal development, enrichment and student wellbeing.

Colne Park High School undertook the award to strengthen its whole-school personal development curriculum, embed consistent approaches across the school and ensure all students are equipped with the confidence, resilience and life skills needed to thrive beyond education.

Impact at Colne Park High School

• Behaviour tracking showed a 38% reduction in suspension rates.
• Incidents of students leaving lessons reduced by 79%.
• Positive behaviour credits increased by 20%.
• Increased pupil voice has strengthened decision-making and curriculum development.
• Students benefit from a broader range of enrichment opportunities and external experiences.
• Staff report a stronger and more coherent CPD offer focused on personal development.
• The EPDA framework has strengthened reflection, collaboration and professional dialogue across the school.

Key achievements

1. A strategic whole-school approach to personal development

• Personal development is embedded throughout the School Improvement Plan and monitored by leaders and governors.
• Senior leaders, governors and staff regularly evaluate practice through reviews, questionnaires and action planning.
• School values of Ambition, Respect and Collaboration underpin policies and everyday practice.
• Staff across the school contribute to the ongoing development of the personal development curriculum.

2. A broad and well-planned curriculum

• The school has mapped SMSC, British Values, RSHE and CEIAG across both academic and pastoral provision.
• Students receive dedicated personal development lessons alongside form-time activities, assemblies and enrichment opportunities.
• LORIC skills (leadership, organisation, resilience, initiative and communication) are embedded across year groups.
• Programmes including Duke of Edinburgh and Apex Champions help students develop confidence, leadership and teamwork skills.
• A strong careers programme supports students in making informed future choices and meeting Gatsby Benchmarks.

3. Strong pastoral support and sense of belonging

• Robust pastoral and data systems help staff monitor attendance, wellbeing, behaviour and safeguarding concerns effectively.
• Weekly RAG meetings ensure students receive targeted support and timely interventions.
• Initiatives such as “Sense of Belonging” phone calls strengthen relationships between home and school.
• Students benefit from additional support through forest school, outdoor learning, sanctuary provision and community projects.
• Parents praised the school’s inclusive and supportive approach, highlighting that “additional help is always there”.

4. Staff development and consistent practice

• Staff training and coaching are central to the school’s personal development strategy.
• Weekly briefings, CPD and the use of Steplab help create a shared language and understanding across the school.
• Quality assurance systems include observations, lesson drop-ins, student feedback and book scrutiny.
• Staff described personal development as “not a bolt on” but embedded throughout school life.

5. Student voice and leadership opportunities

• Students actively contribute to school improvement through leadership roles, ambassador programmes and assemblies.
• Pupil voice helps shape the personal development curriculum and wider school initiatives.
• Students described the school as “an amazing community” and “a good place to grow and make friends”.
• Leadership opportunities encourage confidence, responsibility and active participation across the school community.

In their words

“This award affirms that our approach to personal development — from fostering positive relationships and wellbeing, to encouraging leadership, responsibility, and a love of learning — is making a real difference.”

Catherine Eulert, Headteacher, Colne Park High School

Looking ahead

Colne Park High School plans to build on this success by:

• Increasing opportunities for students to engage in community-based projects.
• Expanding student leadership through charity and house-based initiatives.
• Strengthening parent and student understanding of SMSC and enrichment opportunities.
• Sharing effective personal development practice across the Apex Trust.
• Continuing to enhance equality, diversity and inclusion through the EPDA framework.

Interested in achieving the same impact?

The Excellence in Pupil Development Award helps schools develop a strategic, whole-school approach to personal development, wellbeing and enrichment. It provides a framework to strengthen student voice, leadership, life skills and wider outcomes beyond the classroom.

👉 Find out more about the award and how your school can begin its EPDA journey today.