Please be aware we are a nut free school. For more information please visit our Lunchtime Page.

Looking to join The Gordon Children's Academy in September 2026? 

Come along to our Opening Evening on 3rd November at 5pm.
See our school in action during one of our Open Day tours on 5th, 12th, and 19th November. Choose from 9:30-10:30am or 1:30-2:30pm tours.

Contact our office for more information. 

Personal Development

Our Personal Development offer

At Gordon, we transform life chances by supporting children to becomeGordon Greats - ambitious learners, brave thinkers, confident in themselves, kind friends, and proud of what they achieve together.

We recognise that education extends beyond academics. Through our Personal Development Passport, each child at Gordon engages in a rich tapestry of experiences that enhance learning, character, and confidence, helping them to truly "be their best self."

This structured, inclusive programme supports every pupil’s personal, cultural, and character development in a coherent, sustained way, benefiting all our learners.

The Gordon Personal Development Passport

When children join Gordon, they receive their very own Personal Development Passport. This accompanies them throughout their time at the School and records the experiences, and achievements and personal growth - inside and outside of school.

  • When children complete an activity from their passport, they receive a stamp in their passport.
  • When they finish their passport, their journey is celebrated with a Gordon Great certificate awarded in front of their peers.

Our passport is designed to be broad and inclusive, blending curriculum-based and extracurricular enrichment that develops character, confidence, motivation, resilience, and well-being.

The experiences are organised into six strands:

  • Nature – connecting with the outdoors and appreciating the world around us.
  • Arts – developing creativity through performance, music, and visual arts.
  • Future – inspiring ambition through visits, clubs, and opportunities to explore life beyond primary school.
  • People – developing confidence and empathy through teamwork, volunteering, and community links.
  • Self – building metacognition, resilience, and independence.
  • Adventure & Challenge – pushing boundaries through new experiences, trips, and residentials.

Examples include:

  • Join a debate
  • Perform to an audience
  • Try a new food
  • Vote in a school election
  • Watch a theatre show
  • Explore a museum
  • Dance at a school disco
  • Visit a local landmark
  • Visit a college or university
  • Join a club
  • Visit a farm
  • Borrow a library book

Our passport also includes aspirational opportunities such as:

  • Meeting authors
  • Visiting further education institutions

These aim to broaden horizons, nurture ambition, and prepare children for their next steps with clarity and confidence.

Residential Trips

Our residential programme is a highlight of the Gordon experience:

  • Year 4 – three days at PGL Ashford, where children build teamwork and independence through outdoor adventure activities.
  • Year 6 – a week on the Isle of Wight, with opportunities to explore castles, farms, the Donkey Sanctuary, Aqua Park, and more. This residential combines fun, challenge, and cultural enrichment.

We are committed to ensuring all children can access these experiences, with support available for families eligible for Pupil Premium.

SMSC, British Values & Be Your Best Self

Our holistic personal development approach is built on Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) understanding and grounded in British Values:

  • Spiritual – fostering reflection, creativity, and understanding of beliefs and values.
  • Moral – encouraging fairness, integrity, and an understanding of consequences.
  • Social – cultivating community engagement, teamwork, and citizenship.
  • Cultural – celebrating diversity and promoting mutual respect and cultural awareness.

These are embedded through our PSHE (Jigsaw) curriculum and our Be Your Best Self journals, where pupils reflect weekly on themselves, explore growth mindset, metacognitive strategies, and build resilience.

We also safeguard children from harmful influences, helping them grow into positive, responsible contributors to society.

Pupil Leadership

At Gordon, leadership is for all and it is democratically chosen. Each year, pupils apply and are elected to leadership roles. These leaders:

  • Meet regularly throughout the year
  • Represent peers and feedback to senior leadership
  • Are consulted with about key decisions which impact them
  • Collaborate with our broader Trust Student Drive Team

Leadership roles include:

  • Pupil MPs - who lead on our Pupil Voice teams and bring feedback from their classes (constituencies) to the senior leadership team. Pupil MPs have the opportunity to visit Houses of Parliament.
  • Thinking Drive Team - who champion the use of Thinking Tools and meta-cognition. This team help create the unique 'Be Your Best Self' journals
  • Play Leaders - who influence playground equipment decisions and support with ensuring equipment is looked after.
  • Food Ambassadors - who taste-test and suggest updates to our lunch menu.
  • Eco Warriors - who lead on how we celebrate World Earth Day, alongside sustainability initiatives.
  • Peer Mentors - who support younger pupils through challenges and transitions.
  • Librarians - who work with the English Lead to ensure their class libraries are well stocked with exciting books, make decisions on new books we order and help promote a love of reading within their class.
  • Digital Ambassadors - who provide the Computing Lead with feedback from their classes and support their class mates with use of technology.
  • Sports Leaders - who help decide the sports clubs for the following year, celebrate the sporting success within assemblies and help lead events such as Sports Day.

These roles amplify pupil voice, nurture agency, and offer clear opportunities to contribute meaningfully to school life.

Assemblies at Gordon

Our assemblies foster community, celebrate values, and promote personal growth:

  • Monday – Celebration Assembly
    Pupils earn a Golden Tie for exemplifying a Gordon Great virtue. At the end of the term, one pupil per class consistently demonstrating all of the Gordon Greats (ambition, bravery, confidence, kindness and pride) will receive a Gordon Great certificate and enjoy a special tea with the SLT, alongside their golden tie. Other awards include Times Tables Rock Stars, Oracy Awards, and sporting certificates.
  • Tuesday – P4C via Picture News
    Pupils explore current events and ethical questions, developing critical thinking tied to British Values.
  • Wednesday – Singing Assembly
    A joyful celebration of music, togetherness, and school spirit.
  • Thursday – PSHE/RE & Cultural Celebrations
    Assemblies explore world days, religious festivals, values, and feature guests like Rev Sue and Family Trust.
  • Friday – Be Your Best Self Reflection
    Reflection tasks linked to journals focus on mindset, metacognition, and readiness for lifelong learning.

Trips, Visits & Community Engagement

We embed trips and community involvement across the curriculum:

  • Annual geography field trips
  • Visits to the local library
  • Cultural and curriculum-linked outings at least three times a year with an aim of ensuring they cost no more than a total of £40 a year
  • Optional Enrichment Events - such as visits to the Marlowe Theatre to see their class text performed on the stage, a visit to Parliament and the opportunity to see a West End Show,

We also participate actively in the community:

  • Choir performances at Young Voices, the Central Theatre, and local care homes during Christmas
  • Engagement in Children in Need, Comic Relief, Anti-Bullying Week, World Book Day, and more - with strong support from our PTA, enhancing enrichment opportunities and school funding

Clubs & Enrichment

We offer a broad, inclusive, and evolving range of clubs - both staff-led and externally delivered. Many conclude with performances or showcases each term. 

Examples:

  • Sewing Club
  • Choir
  • Aim High Club
  • Debate Club
  • Dance Club
  • Creepy Crawly Club
  • Football Club
  • Chelsea FC Coaching

We also provide iRock band sessions during school hours (with regular performances), and instrumental lessons (e.g., violin, keyboard) in small groups or privately.

Sport & Physical Education

Physical development is key to personal development. We offer:

  • Mini Youth Games participation from Year 4
  • Swimming lessons in Years 4 and 5
  • Regular internal and external competitions and festivals
  • Sporting achievements highlighted in assemblies by our Sports Leaders

Our Personal Development Passport ensures every Gordon pupil embarks on an enriching journey - grounded in strength, inclusivity, and purpose - so they leave Gordon with memory, confidence, and character that will bolster every next step of their lives.