Health and well-being curriculum and provision for personal and social development of pupils
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Information about the school
Bryntirion Comprehensive School is an English – medium 11-18 school maintained by Bridgend County Borough Council, located on the western side of Bridgend. The school motto “Dysgwn Sut i Fyw” (We Will Learn How to Live) encompasses the traditional values that inspire the pupils – learning together, through mutual respect and positive relationships built on trust and support.
There are 1246 students on roll, including 204 in the sixth form. Nearly all students speak English as their first language. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is approximately 16.8% on average over the past three years, which is lower than the national average. The percentage of pupils identified as having additional learning needs is 3%.
The senior leadership team (SLT) consists of the headteacher, deputy headteacher, four assistant headteachers and a business manager.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
At Bryntirion Comprehensive School, personal and social development is fostered through a range of carefully planned strategies, with the Health and Well-being curriculum playing a significant role in this process. The leadership team ensures that all year groups receive timetabled PSE and Health and Well-being lessons, supporting the structured and consistent delivery of key themes across the school.
Health and Well-being lessons are delivered by designated specialist teachers who are recognised leaders and experts in PSE and RSE. These teachers teach across all year groups, audit curriculum content, support and train staff, and ensure consistency in vocabulary and the communication of essential health messages. To keep the curriculum relevant and responsive to pupils’ needs, leaders in this area engage in practice-based research and collaborate closely with pastoral and safeguarding teams. This ensures that lesson design and resource selection reflect both the school context and wider community.
Local and national data, including information from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) and Public Health Wales, informs curriculum planning to create an authentic and meaningful learning experience. Pupils’ views play a vital role in shaping a reflective curriculum that evolves in line with students’ needs and perspectives.
Effective communication and collaboration with parents and carers are pivotal to the effective delivery of the curriculum. For example, when sensitive topics are scheduled, parents are informed in advance and provided with relevant resources. Meetings are also held to address questions or concerns, ensuring pupils receive consistent support both at home and in school.
A key element in shaping the school’s wider personal and social development provision has been the collection of extensive feedback from pupils and staff, which has helped establish a consistent and effective whole-school approach. In partnership with the wider school community, the school introduced the ‘Be Successful’ strand as part of the overarching ‘Be Bryntirion’ vision—alongside the core expectations: Be Ready, Be Respectful, and Be Safe. The ‘Be Successful’ criteria form the foundation of personal and social development within the school’s broader ethos. This vision is reflected through thematic focus and whole-school assemblies, which aim to nurture confident, resilient, and reflective individuals by placing pupil well-being at the centre of all practice. Registration time has been strategically structured to support this vision, featuring a carefully designed programme that includes initiatives such as ‘Let’s Talk Tuesday’ and ‘Well-being Wednesday’. These sessions offer pupils opportunities to engage in well-being activities, explore important social issues, and participate in open, meaningful discussions.
Pupil leadership has been identified as a key priority within the school development plan. An inclusive and engaging application and selection process encourages all pupils to participate in leadership roles. The School Council, established and led by pupils, is organised into sub-committees focusing on various aspects of school life. This structure empowers pupils to play an active role in driving improvement both within the school and in the wider community. To complement this and ensure opportunities for all pupils, the school also offers a range of strategic groups, including the Junior Safeguarding Board, Well-being Leaders, Criw Cymraeg, and Subject Ambassadors. Each group sets its own priorities at the start of the academic year, with progress monitored and evaluated throughout. This approach enables pupils to have a purposeful and measurable impact on school improvement.
What impact has this work had on provision and pupils’ standards?
The strategic and well-structured approach to personal and social development at Bryntirion Comprehensive School has had a significant positive impact on both the quality of provision and pupils’ standards. Curriculum audits and staff training have supported a shared vocabulary and approach, raising the overall standard of teaching and learning in this area. The use of a specialist teacher has ensured high-quality, consistent delivery of Health and Well-being education across all year groups.
The curriculum remains relevant and responsive to pupils’ needs through the regular use of pupils’ views, analysis of local and national data, and close collaboration with pastoral and safeguarding teams. This has led to more engaged, reflective learners who can relate their learning to real-world experiences. Initiatives such as Let’s Talk Tuesday and Well-being Wednesday provide pupils with structured opportunities to explore key social issues, develop emotional literacy, and participate in activities that support their mental, physical, and emotional health. As a result, pupil well-being has been notably strengthened.
Pupil engagement and empowerment have also improved through the school’s commitment to pupil leadership. Through the School Council and a range of strategic groups, pupils are given meaningful roles in shaping school life. This encourages confidence, responsibility, and active citizenship, while fostering a strong sense of pride and belonging within the school community.
The school’s open communication with parents, especially around sensitive topics, has strengthened home-school partnerships, helping to ensure that pupils receive consistent support both in and out of school. In addition, the integration of the Be Bryntirion vision—particularly the Be Successful strand—has contributed to a positive school culture rooted in shared values and expectations. This ethos is reflected in improved pupil behaviour, stronger relationships, and a more inclusive, respectful learning environment.
Overall, this work has led to stronger pupil well-being, higher levels of engagement, and improved personal and social development. Pupils are better equipped with the confidence, skills, and values they need to succeed in school and beyond.
How have you shared your good practice?
The school has actively promoted its practices locally through the school newsletter, governor meetings, dedicated assemblies, social media engagement, and regular communication with parents. Nationally, the school has shared aspects of its approach through blogs and articles, featured in several podcasts, and contributed to BBC investigations into current RSE issues.