Parrenthorn High SchoolPersonal Development
Vision for Personal Development (PD)
At Parrenthorn, we share a collective drive to ensure the best possible academic and personal outcomes for all our students. As a staff body we have a shared PD vision;
- To create happy, confident, respectful, resilient, independent and engaged citizens who are equipped with the tools to succeed in life.
- To empower young people to identify and take opportunities that arise in life for personal growth and wellbeing in order to achieve their full potential.
We recognise that we are a community of diverse individuals and that success may look different for everyone. However – we are firmly committed to equality of opportunity. Regardless of individual circumstance or characteristics - we believe every child has a right to lead a fulfilled life and fully participate in our society. At the core of our provision is striving to ensure equitable participation in a range of wider opportunities to raise the aspirations and confidence of our students. Education is more than academic qualifications and we recognise that our privileged role has the ability to shape lives. We hope that students leave us with an inner confidence, secure that the skills we have given them have prepared them for future life.
Links
Awards
smsc qm report parrenthornverification report 2024.pdf
Proud Identity
Our school is based in Prestwich in North Manchester. Part of a thriving multicultural city at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse with a rich industrial and cultural heritage. Our school community is made up of a diverse range of students, families and staff. We believe it is important that this is not merely recognised – but celebrated. Our school motto of Respect, Aspire, Believe, Achieve means that we want each student to have a strong sense of self-belief and self-respect, alongside a healthy respect of others who may differ to them. This links explicitly to the British Values of Respect and Tolerance.
We want to go beyond the legal duty to ensure equality irrespective of protected characteristics, to a place of active celebration of our collective individual identities – and what makes us “Team Parrenthorn”.
We are proud to announce that our school has achieved the The Rainbow Flag Award, recognising our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students, staff and members of our wider school community.
The Rainbow Flag Award is a national quality assurance framework that celebrates schools which actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals. Achieving this award reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and students in fostering a culture of respect, kindness and belonging.
Throughout the award process, we have continued to strengthen our inclusive practices through student voice, curriculum development, staff training and the promotion of positive wellbeing across the school. We are proud to celebrate diversity and ensure that every member of our community feels seen, valued and supported.
Receiving the Rainbow Flag Award demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing an environment where everyone can thrive and be themselves with confidence.
You can read our report/audit here.
Rainbow Flag
Our school was delighted to host a Cultural Diversity Fashion Show, celebrating the rich variety of cultures, traditions and backgrounds represented within our school community. The event provided students with the opportunity to proudly showcase traditional clothing and fashion from around the world, highlighting the importance of inclusion, respect and cultural understanding.
Students took part with enthusiasm and confidence, sharing outfits that reflected their heritage and personal identity while educating others about different cultures and traditions. The fashion show created a vibrant and positive atmosphere, bringing students, staff and the wider school community together to celebrate diversity in a meaningful and engaging way.
The event was a fantastic success and reflected our school’s commitment to promoting equality, encouraging student voice and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated and helped make the occasion such a memorable celebration of culture and community.
Fashion Show 2025
Our school was thrilled to host a vibrant Holi Colour Run for students, inspired by the traditional Hindu festival of Holi, which celebrates unity, joy and the arrival of spring. The event brought students together for an afternoon filled with fun, laughter and colourful celebrations, creating a fantastic sense of community across the school.
Throughout the event, students took part in a sponsored run while being showered in brightly coloured powder, making for a memorable and energetic experience enjoyed by all. The Holi Colour Run encouraged participation, teamwork and positivity, while also giving students the opportunity to learn about and appreciate an important cultural celebration recognised around the world.
The event was a huge success and reflected our school’s ongoing commitment to celebrating diversity, promoting wellbeing and creating inclusive experiences that bring our school community together. We would like to thank all students and staff who participated and helped make the day such a colourful and enjoyable occasion.
Holi Run
Live Well
Our school Breakfast Club provides students with a welcoming, inclusive and positive start to the school day. The club offers a calm and friendly environment where students can enjoy a healthy breakfast, spend time with friends and settle into the day ahead in a relaxed atmosphere.
Breakfast Club plays an important role in supporting student wellbeing, helping students feel energised, focused and ready to learn. It also encourages positive social interaction, confidence and a sense of belonging within the school community. Students benefit from having a safe and supportive space before lessons begin, helping to improve attendance, punctuality and readiness for the school day.
The club is a valued part of school life and reflects our commitment to supporting the wellbeing and personal development of all students.
Resilient Individuals
Alongside their academic studies, our students are encouraged to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities designed to enrich their school experience, develop new skills and build confidence outside the classroom. These activities provide students with the chance to explore new interests, work collaboratively with others and further develop important personal and social skills in a supportive environment.
Participation in extra-curricular activities helps students strengthen teamwork, leadership, creativity and resilience while promoting positive wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging within the school community. We are proud to offer opportunities that allow every student to become involved, challenge themselves and make the most of their time at school.
You can view our extra-curricular timetable here
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a life-changing experience. Through your unique DofE programme, you can discover new talents, develop essential skills for life and have fun with friends.
Any 14-24 year old can do their DofE. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s about setting challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
DofE has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. At Parrenthorn we currently offer Silver as a direct entry. For each level, you need to do four sections. They are:
- Volunteering
- Physical
- Skills
- Expedition
Engaged Citizens
Manchester has a strong history of active citizenship, and a tradition of political activism enacting change from Peterloo to the birthplace of Suffragism. We want our students to be proud and confident in their views and understand their own capacity to shape the societies of the future. We want every student to believe that their views matter and see that their voices are represented and heard. Our school motto of Respect, Aspire, Believe, Achieve means that we expect every Parrenthorn student to have belief in their capacity to enact change. Thus embedding the British Value of Democracy and Rule of Law.
Our curriculum provides routine opportunities to all students to develop leadership skills, which include qualities such as showing empathy and listening to different perspectives just as much as those such as having the confidence to speak in front of an audience and to lead projects. For students who wish to develop their leadership capacity further the following leadership pathways are provided;
- House System
- Prefects
- Peer Reading and Mentoring - Coming Soon
Prepared Citizens
Careers in 21st century Britain demand an array of flexible ‘soft’ skills alongside technical knowledge. CBI research indicates the importance of communication, teamwork and leadership to sit alongside technical knowledge to equip students with the skills required for the workforce. We also believe it is important to equip students with the skills relevant to their local context to ensure they have access to an empowering career in the future – in a city which acts as the Scientific and Financial hub of the north with a thriving Creative Sector.
Our school motto of Respect, Aspire, Believe, Achieve means that we expect every Parrenthorn student to have aspirations to a successful career of their choosing. Through this – we hope each student has the tools to embrace the British Value of Individual Liberty by ensuring they are equipped for personal success.
Delivery
Careers Provision (CEIAG – Careers Education, Information and Guidance)
- Future You Week – a week long exploration of local businesses, training opportunities and guest speakers.
- Careers Interviews – available to every student in every year group from a specialist careers advisor
- Work Experience
Strong Transition
- College Assemblies – visits from a huge range of local providers
- KS5 Taster Days – where students sample courses on offer to inform decision making
University Visits to raise aspirations