Personal Development
Personal Development is the umbrella term for the teaching of PSHE, Citizenship and some careers and finance education.
Students have one lesson a fortnight and we often have input from outside speakers such as Brook, the local police force and YZUP.
The curriculum for each year group is delivered through Personal Development specialist teaching staff, which gives students the best possible experience within the classroom.
A wealth of outside speakers and professionals from a variety of partner agencies make a valuable input into various aspects of the curriculum, and this is something our students really benefit from.
In Key Stage 3, we follow a spiral curriculum meaning that content can be presented in a way that supports the development of young people. Most students have one lesson of PD each fortnight.
In Year 7 our first term is spend focusing on transition from primary school, getting to know each other and our new school. We then re-cap on puberty and reproduction with particular attention to the emotional changes students may encounter during puberty and the menopause. We then examine ways of staying physically healthy including the need for exercise and sleep.
In the Spring Term we focus on anti-bullying and making wise choices. We cover the dangers of energy drinks and the importance of a healthy diet.
During summer term we look at peer pressure, the dangers of smoking and vaping, social media and FGM. We then move on to look at ways of staying safe, including water and sun safety, and consider what makes a good friend.
In Year 8 our first term is spend looking at self-esteem and we consider what contributes and detracts from having good self-esteem. We then look at the process of birth and the physical and emotional change a family may encounter. We also start to focus on what is meant by consent.
In the Spring Term we look at First Aid and what to do in various situations. We consider the condom and other methods of contraception in relation to health and choices. HIV and associated stigma is explored. We again look at consent and the role of social media, in particular relation to body image.
The first half of the Summer Term has a focus on illegal drugs with a spotlight shone on cannabis and its links with poor mental health. In the second half of the summer term we consider what it means to be Transgender, ways of dealing with conflict at home and with peers, the danger of running away from home and the challenges of disability. We have input from our local community policing team with regards to staying safe online.
As students enter Year 9 we start with a unit on mental health, helping to understand anxiety, self-harm and poor body image. We look at where people can access help and support. We look at strategies for staying mentally healthy. In the second half of the Autumn Term we look at rights and responsibilities and what these terms mean, human trafficking, exploitation and young offenders.
In the Spring Term we have a focus on careers with resources provided by our careers coordinator. We help students prepare to make their option choices. We again look at illegal substance abuse, alcohol and other forms of addiction. We have input from the police with regards to county lines and Brook with regards to consent.
In the Summer Term we examine child exploitation, domestic abuse and homelessness.
A curriculum overview calendar for Years 7-11 Personal Development is available here
For additional information relating to the PD curriculum at Key Stage 3 please email
Mrs V Downing – Head of RE / PD
In Year 10 we start the year again with mental health and well-being, in particular looking at strong emotions such as grief, especially when linked to suicide. We look at the issue of rape culture and sexual harassment, building on previous work around consent and the law.
Spring Term sees us examining the issue of forced marriage, abuse and its many forms including domestic abuse and pornography addiction. We also return to our focus of substance education with a focus on alcohol and have input from our local schools policing team with a focus on anti-social behaviour and knife crime.
The summer term is spent helping to prepare students for their work experience placement under the direction of our work experience coordinator.
Year 11 begins with a focus on mental health and how to cope with exam stress. We try to identify pressure points and triggers and help students to identify these and give practical advice such as sleep hygiene and the importance of a revision timetable. In terms of health we look at self-care and checking for the early signs of some types of cancers.
We also look at budgeting, saving, loans, how to apply for a mortgage, and the idea of a pension.
Our schemes of learning include lessons that meet the new updated guidance from the DFE:
“Schools should focus on building positive attitudes and skills, promoting healthy norms about relationships, including sexual relationships where relevant, and about health, including mental health. Schools should avoid language which might normalise harmful behaviour among young people – for example gendered language which might normalise male violence or stigmatise boys.”
“New content includes AI literacy, while personal safety now extends to topics such as knife crime and conflict resolution. There’s a much stronger focus on tackling misogyny, incel culture, and their influence on attitudes toward women and girls, as well as recognising how these issues can negatively affect boys and young men. The guidance also explores the impact of pornography and introduces more detailed learning about menstrual and gynaecological health, including conditions like endometriosis and menopause. Finally, there’s a greater emphasis on equipping pupils with the skills and confidence to access healthcare services when they need them.”
Although this is achieved through a spiral curriculum special attention is given to this with explicit lessons in Year 11.
A curriculum overview calendar for Years 7-11 Personal Development is available here
For additional information relating to the PD curriculum at Key Stage 4 please email
Mrs V Downing – Head of RE / PD
