Section 1

RATIONALE

Introduction

Personal and social development is a fundamental aspect of the education of the whole child. It is essentially concerned with the development of life skills. All aspects of a child's experience at home, in school and outwith school contribute to personal and social development.

The importance of personal and social development has already been recognised in Curriculum and Assessment in Scotland: A Policy for the 90's, Working Paper No. 1, The Balance of the Primary Curriculum (SOED 1989) and Curriculum Design for the Secondary Stages (SCCC Revised 1989). The latter suggests that key elements of personal and social development should not only appear within syllabus inserts and special courses but permeate all studies and activities across the modes. Effective permeation requires systematic planning.

The aims of personal and social development are to help pupils to:

have an appropriately positive regard for self, and for others and their needs;

develop life skills to enable them to participate effectively and safely in society;

identify, review and evaluate the values they and society hold and recognise that these affect thoughts and actions;

take increasing responsibility for their own lives.

The achievement of these aims requires pupils to increase their knowledge and understanding about themselves, others, their immediate environment and the world in which they live. They will need to learn and practise processes and skills which will enable them to:

look after their personal needs;

work independently;

participate effectively in groups;

make their own decisions;

assess their own abilities and capabilities.

Each school community (which includes teaching and non-teaching staff, pupils and parents) reflects many of the values held in society. Children are greatly influenced by society's values, by the values which are communicated explicitly or implicitly in school and, very importantly, by the values held in the home.