“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle
Aims
At Kader Academy, we are committed to developing the whole child. Our aim is to ensure that every pupil not only achieves academically, but also feels they belong, has the confidence to achieve and is equipped with the skills and character to thrive in life.
This is underpinned by our vision of One Family. Little People. Big Dreams, where every child is valued, supported and inspired to aspire.
Rooted in our values of Kindness, Ambition, Determination, Excellence and Respect, our approach to personal development is carefully designed to reflect our key curriculum drivers:
- Ambition – raising aspirations and broadening horizons through rich experiences
- Relationships – fostering strong connections, respect and a sense of belonging
- Identity – supporting pupils to understand themselves, their place in the world and to celebrate diversity
Through a wide range of meaningful opportunities and initiatives, we nurture pupils’ confidence, wellbeing and character, ensuring they are fully prepared for life beyond Kader Academy.
Approach
Personal development at Kader Academy goes beyond the classroom. We provide a rich offer of opportunities that support pupils’ character, confidence and wellbeing.
At the heart of this offer is Kader’s 50 Seeds– a carefully designed set of experiences that ensure every child is exposed to meaningful opportunities that broaden horizons, raise aspirations and support them to grow as well-rounded individuals.
Bo – School Dog
At Kader Academy, Bo plays a valued role in supporting the wellbeing of our school community. As our school dog, Bo helps to create a calm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, relaxed and ready to learn.
Bo supports pupils in developing confidence, emotional regulation and positive relationships. For some children, spending time with Bo can reduce anxiety, support self-esteem and provide a gentle, reassuring presence during the school day. Bo is also a fantastic motivator, whether listening to children read, joining small group sessions or simply being a friendly face around school.
We work closely with external organisations, such as the Dogs Trust, to ensure that best practice is followed at all times. This includes clear guidance around safe interactions, pupil education and robust risk assessments, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both children and Bo.
Carefully managed and fully integrated into school life, Bo is an important part of our One Family ethos, helping every child to feel valued, supported and ready to thrive.
Eco Warriors!
Our weekly Eco Shop promotes sustainability and supports our school community. Each Friday, pupils help redistribute donated items, reducing waste while developing responsibility, teamwork and an understanding of caring for others and the environment.
At Kader Academy, our pupils are proud to be eco warriors, actively promoting sustainability within our school community. Through initiatives such as pre-loved uniform and Christmas jumper stalls, children learn the importance of reusing and reducing waste while supporting one another. These experiences help develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and empower pupils to make positive, sustainable choices.
Forest School
Our timetabled Forest School offers pupils regular opportunities to learn and explore in the natural environment. Through hands-on experiences, children develop confidence, resilience and teamwork while building a deeper appreciation for the outdoors.
Culture in our Community
We celebrate diversity through experiences such as International Mother Language Day, Cultural Dress days, African drumming workshops and most recently, we enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year 2026 with a traditional dance workshop. We also support our Muslim community in celebrating Eid, whilst our youngest children enjoy the festivities of Holi through our annual colour fun day. Our curriculum further provides opportunities for children to share and celebrate their own family heritage and culture, fostering respect, pride and a strong sense of identity.
Kader in the Community and Community Links
At Kader Academy, we are proud to play an active role in our local community. From delivering cards to residents at Christmas and Easter, to litter picking and supporting our local library and community spaces, our pupils learn the importance of kindness, responsibility and giving back. Through these experiences, we nurture a strong sense of belonging and ensure our children understand the positive difference they can make in the world around them.
Out for Delivery!
Our pupils take great pride in creating and delivering cards to our Kader residents, particularly during special times of the year. Often accompanied by Bo, our school dog, these visits bring joy to the community while helping children develop empathy, kindness and a strong sense of connection with others.
Acklam Library
We value strong links with our local community, including regular visits to Acklam Library. Every child has the opportunity to explore the library, fostering a love of reading and helping them feel connected to the world beyond school.
Middlesbrough Mela
We are proud to work in partnership with Middlesbrough Mela, providing pupils with meaningful opportunities to engage with and contribute to a significant local cultural event. Through this collaboration, children take part in creative projects such as designing promotional materials, allowing them to celebrate diversity, connect with their local community and see how their learning has a real-world impact. Year 5 are currently working on the promotional flyers for summer 2026! #watchthisspace!
MFC
Through our partnership with Middlesbrough Football Club, pupils are supported to develop an understanding of healthy living. Opportunities such as visits and workshops promote physical activity, wellbeing and positive lifestyle choices, while also raising aspirations and fostering pride in their local community.
Remembrance
We are proud to take part in Remembrance within our local community, with pupils attending the local cenotaph to pay their respects on behalf of Kader Academy. This meaningful experience helps children to reflect, show respect and develop an understanding of the importance of remembrance and service.
Christmas Care Home Visits
We value our links with local care homes, where pupils visit at Christmas to sing, spread festive cheer and deliver gifts collected by our school community. These meaningful experiences help children develop empathy, confidence and a deep sense of community, while bringing joy to others through shared moments.
Kader Connect
Kader Connect is our weekly newsletter, proudly led by our Year 6 pupils. It provides a snapshot of school life while giving children meaningful roles and responsibilities, from reporting on events to sharing key messages with our community. Through this, pupils develop confidence, leadership skills and a strong sense of ownership, preparing them for the next stage of their journey.
Pupil Leadership
Pupil leadership is a valued part of life at Kader Academy, with a range of roles including school councillors, librarians, iPad and tech monitors, lunchtime buddies, door monitors and digital leaders. These opportunities empower children to take responsibility, support others and contribute positively to school life. Through these roles, pupils develop confidence, leadership skills and a strong sense of pride in their school community.
Careers Week – Building Ambition Early!
Careers Week is a highlight of the school calendar, providing pupils with inspiring opportunities to explore a wide range of future pathways. Through visits from professionals, workshops and real-life experiences, children gain an understanding of different careers and the skills needed to succeed. This helps to raise aspirations, broaden horizons and encourage pupils to dream big about their future.
Charity Links
At Kader Academy, we are proud to support a wide range of charities that enrich both our local and wider community. Through initiatives such as the Teesside Hospice Reindeer Run, NSPCC Number Day, Children in Need and Red Nose Day, pupils learn the importance of giving back and supporting others. We also work closely with organisations such as Middlesbrough Foodbank, Cash for Kids, Nite Light and Dogs Trust, helping those in our local area and beyond.
In addition, we support charities that make a direct difference to the lives of some of our pupils and families, including Daisy Chain and organisations supporting children with cerebral palsy. Events such as Jeans for Genes Day, World Mental Health Day and Odd Socks Day further promote awareness, inclusion and understanding. Through these experiences, pupils develop compassion, empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Friends of Kader Academy
Our Friends of Kader Academy is a dedicated group of parent and carer volunteers who play a vital role in supporting school life. They organise a range of popular events, including Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s discos, as well as coffee mornings and raffles. They also support whole-school events by providing refreshments for families. Their work brings our community together and makes a valuable contribution to pupils’ wider personal development experiences. Always welcoming new members, the group offers a fantastic opportunity for families to get involved and make a positive difference for all our pupils.
Outcomes
As a result of Kader Academy’s carefully planned approach to personal development and wellbeing, pupils grow into confident, respectful and resilient individuals who are well prepared for life beyond school. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging, take pride in who they are and show ambition for their future. Rooted in our values of kindness, ambition, determination, excellence and respect, pupils understand how to keep themselves physically and mentally healthy, developing positive strategies to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing. They value diversity and contribute positively to their community. Through a rich range of experiences, they develop the character, confidence and resilience needed to truly thrive, reflecting our vision of One Family. Little People. Big Dreams.