Personal Development Curriculum

Aim of The Personal Development Curriculum

The aim of the Personal Development (PD) curriculum is to provide our young people with the knowledge and skills to embrace the exciting opportunities this modern world brings, and to deal effectively with the challenges and risks they may encounter. We want our pupils to clearly understand how to keep themselves (and others) safe and healthy (online and offline), to be accepting of diversity, to show empathy and kindness, and to make a positive contribution to their school, local, and wider communities.

Our PD curriculum also plays in a key role in the safeguarding of our pupils; adopting a preventative approach and signposting to people/organisations to offer support, advice and guidance. Our curriculum is also flexible and responsive to dealing efficiently with school, local and wider issues as they arise – providing a safe and supportive environment to discuss complex, sensitive and current topics.

We pride ourselves in providing an inclusive approach to PD. For example:

  • Lessons are carefully differentiated to cater for the varying needs of our pupils with
  • Our ‘Relationships and Sex Education’ (RSE) aims to ensure that the needs of our LGBTQ+ pupils are adequately met.
  • Ensuring our curriculum is relevant to the lives of all our young people and actively promoting acceptance and celebration of diversity, and equality for all.

How does our PD curriculum contribute to SMSC?

Supporting the social, moral, spiritual, and cultural (SMSC) development of our students is at the core of our school culture, vision, and ethos, and is embedded across our curricular and extra-curricular provision.

Our PD curriculum also plays a key role in supporting SMSC. For example:

All pupils in Key Stage 3 have lessons in ‘Religious Studies’ where they reflect on their own beliefs and develop understanding and respect for different faiths/religions. This is reinforced in PD lessons where they are taught directly about religious tolerance and explore the multi-cultural nature of the UK. They are provided with ample opportunity to reflect upon what makes them who they are (e.g., in lessons on ‘personal identity’ and ‘mindfulness’) and explore how others are different.

Our young people learn about ‘the rule of law’ and the legal position in relation to topics surrounding sex, relationships, and broader safeguarding issues (e.g., substance misuse, criminal exploitation, radicalisation/extremism etc). Pupils engage in regular, thoughtful discussions to explore the far-reaching consequences associated with their behaviour and choices (e.g., when teaching topics such as drugs education and bullying) and they learn about the role of the legal system in the UK.

Pupils frequently engage in paired and group work to actively encourage interaction with others from different backgrounds. They are expected to construct their own informed opinions and listen respectfully to the views of others. As a school we encourage active citizenship (e.g., through supporting charities, the NCS programme, Youth Parliament, enrichment activities) to support the school, local and wider community, and pupils are provided with many extracurricular opportunities/electives (e.g., sporting, drama, music, cultural), allowing them to develop skills in cooperation, conflict resolution, teamwork, and an appreciation of difference.

At the heart of our PD curriculum is promoting acceptance and respect for diversity; actively living the shared values that promote community cohesion, and preparing our students for life in modern Britain.

Model of Delivery

We adopt a spiral curriculum approach to the teaching of PD, whereby topics are re-visited frequently in increasing depth, in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.

From September 2022 all students in years 7 – 13 will have one discrete Personal Development lesson each fortnight. This is also complemented with tutor time sessions, assemblies and occasional ‘off-timetable’ sessions where pupils receive specialist input from trained professionals (e.g., the school nurse) and other organisations/groups (e.g., Millie’s Trust, Brook). This curriculum is planned/monitored/evaluated by the Head of Personal Development and is delivered by a team of specialist teachers.

 

Assemblies and Specialist Speakers and Organisations

Our structured PD curriculum described above is complimented by input in assemblies (e.g., mental health awareness, anti-bullying, Pride month etc) and from specialist speakers and organisations, for example, ‘Millie’s Trust’ are delivering training on first aid and CPR to all our year 7 pupils over the course of this year.

We are also currently working with a Dr Elly Hanson (a clinical psychologist) to develop our whole school approach to tackling sexual harassment and abuse. This includes the direct teaching about this topic in PD curriculum time, as well as stakeholder surveys, and the development of a bespoke ‘train the trainer’ staff training package.

LGBTQ+ Group

Miss Brereton runs a weekly LGBTQ group. This groups provide our young people with a safe and supportive environment for discussions with peers and members of staff. We are also beginning to work on projects to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ across the school and further develop positive attitudes towards inclusion, diversity, and equality.

Teaching around LGBTQ+ is embedded across our Personal Development curriculum and many other curriculum areas in our school.

Curriculum Overview

Our PD curriculum addresses all the DfE statutory outcomes for PSHE Education and Citizenship Education. This includes Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (see our RSE policy here).

Promoting the fundamental British values and the supporting the social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils is fundamental to our whole school culture, vision and ethos. This is also embedded across our curricular and extra-curricular provision and a key element of our PD programme.

Parents and carers are fully informed of the content their children learn about in PD via a fortnightly ‘Personal Development Update’ that features in the Head Teachers Notes. We also adapt our curriculum to respond promptly to parental suggestions regarding content.

The table below provides an overview of the PD curriculum at Tytherington School.

Personal Development Programme – Overview (2023-2024)

Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
  Autumn Term (Discrete PD lessons) Spring Term (Discrete PD lessons) Summer Term (Discrete PD lessons) Tutor Time Additional PD Sessions
Year 7 Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Lesson 1 – Welcome to Personal Development, including Rights and Responsibilities

Lesson 2 – The Importance of Healthy Eating

Lesson 3 – The Importance of Exercise and Sleep

Lesson 4 – Mental health and Happiness

Lesson 5 – Changing Bodies (1)

Lesson 6 – Changing Bodies (2)

Lesson 7 – Personal Hygiene and Dental Health

Relationships and Safety

Lesson 1 – Healthy Friendships

Lesson 2 – Family diversity (including LGBTQ+)

Lesson 3 – Love, romance, and new feelings (including LGBTQ+)

Lesson 4 – Bullying, including cyberbullying

Lesson 5 – Tackling prejudice and discrimination (racism and homophobia focus).

Lesson 6 – The safety of women and girls (sexism and sexual harassment focus)

 

 

 

British Citizenship

Lesson 1 – Personal Identity

Lesson 2 – What being British means/British values.

Lesson 3 – Democracy in the UK

Lesson 4 – Individual Liberties of UK citizens

Lesson 5 – Multicultural Britain

Lesson 6 – Religious tolerance

 

 

Careers Programme

Virtual Sessions

JB – virtual sessions to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g. sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month).

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. Basic first aid training (Millie’s Trust)
  2. Online safety (Police)
  3. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer

 

 

Year 8 Mental Wellbeing and Safety

Lesson 1 – Introduction and Emotional Literacy

Lesson 2 – Body Image and Self-Esteem

Lesson 3 – Recognising Mental Wellbeing Concerns

Lesson 4 – Promoting Positive Mental Wellbeing

Lesson 5 – The Online World and Wellbeing

Lesson 6 – Introduction to Recognising Unhealthy and Unsafe Relationships (online and offline)

Lesson 7 – Tackling sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual violence

Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking

Lesson 1 – Smoking and Vaping

Lesson 2 – Alcohol Awareness (1)

Lesson 3 – Alcohol Awareness (2)

Lesson 4 – Drugs Education (1)

Lesson 5 – Drugs Education (2)

Lesson 6 – Managing Peer Influence and Criminal Exploitation (county lines)

Equality and Political Systems

Lesson 1 – Equality

Lesson 2 – Campaigns for racial equality

Lesson 3 – Breaking down gender stereotypes

Lesson 4 – The Role of Parliament and the Monarch.

Lesson 5 – Voting and Elections

Lesson 6 – The legal system (laws, the courts, and the police)

 

Careers Programme

Virtual Sessions

JB – virtual sessions to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month).

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups to work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. Session on menstrual wellbeing (Womens’ Group)
  2. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer

 

 

 

 

 

Year 9 Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Introduction, Ground rules and key terminology

Lesson 2 – Reproduction and Fertility: The Facts

Lesson 3 – Love and Healthy Intimate Relationships (including LGBTQ+)

Lesson 4 – The Importance of Consent

Lesson 5 – Contraception (1)

Lesson 6 – Contraception (2)

Lesson 7 – Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections

 

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Managing Sexual Pressure

Lesson 2 – Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy

Lesson 3 – The Dangers of ‘Sexting’

Lesson 4 – Expectations vs. Reality

Lesson 5 – Recognising Unhealthy and Unsafe Relationships – CSE, grooming and abuse

Lesson 6 – Recognising unhealthy and unsafe relationships – forced marriage, honour-based violence and FGM

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Marriage and other types of long term committed relationships

Citizenship+

Lesson 2 – Human Rights

Lesson 3 – Democracy and other Systems of Government

Lesson 4 – Different Electoral Systems

Lesson 5 – Government Income and Spending

Lesson 6 – The UK and the Wider World

 

 

 

Careers Programme

Virtual Sessions

JB – virtual sessions to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month).

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies

  1. Guided choices process
  2. Drugs and alcohol assembly – CGL
  3. Online safety (police)
  4. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer

 

 

 

 

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)
  Autumn Term (Discrete PD lessons) Spring Term (Discrete PD lessons) Summer Term (Discrete PD lessons) Tutor Time Additional Sessions
Year 10 Mental Wellbeing and Safety

Lesson 1 – Common types of mental health problems

Lesson 2 – Tackling the stigma of men’s mental health

Lesson 3 – What does it mean to be a modern man? Tackling toxic masculinity

Lesson 4 – Vaping and the risks

Lesson 5 – The impact of drugs/alcohol on risk taking and personal safety

Lesson 6 – Crime, gangs, and county lines

Lesson 7 – Knife Crime

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Gender Based Violence

Lesson 2 – Sexual Harassment, abuse, and violence: The consequences

Lesson 3 – Sex, sexuality, and gender

Lesson 4 – Fertility and routes to parenthood

Lesson 5 – Pregnancy and parenting

Lesson 6 – Choices in relation to pregnancy

Living in the Wider World

Lesson 1 – A* behaviour in the community.

Lesson 2 – Accepting and valuing diversity

Lesson 3 – Addressing extremism and radicalisation

Lesson 4 – The importance of budgeting

Lesson 5 – Debit vs. credit – what is the difference?

Lesson 6 – Road Safety session (Cheshire Fire and rescue)

Careers Programme

Virtual Sessions

JB – virtual sessions to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month).

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. Careers fair.
  2. Work experience prep
  3. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer.

 

Year 11  Health and Wellbeing (online and offline) (1)

Lesson 1 – Dealing with tough, ‘normal’ emotions.

Lesson 2 – Mental health throughout life/post-school.

Lesson 3 – The media and online world: Exploring the impact on relationships and mental health

Lesson 4 – Exercise and diet – what is healthy?

Lesson 5 – Addressing extremism and radicalisation

Living in the Wider World

Lesson 6 – Post 16 options and applications

Lesson 7 – Part-time jobs – contracts, pay-slips, rights, and responsibilities

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Starting a positive, healthy relationship.

Lesson 2 – Enthusiastic consent vs. pressure, manipulation, and coercion

Lesson 3 – Dealing with relationship break ups

Lesson 4 – Grief and bereavement

Lesson 5 – Changes in later life.

Lesson 6 – Recognising unhealthy and unsafe relationships – domestic abuse.

Health and Well-being (online and offline) (continued – 2)

Lesson 1 – Maintaining a positive online presence

Lesson 2 – Online gambling

Lesson 3 – Self-examination and screening (medical service)

 

FINISH FOR STUDY LEAVE

Careers Programme

Virtual Sessions

JB to deliver to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month, managing exam stress).

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups to work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. Post 16 interviews etc.
  2. Input on careers/post-16 options.
  3. Session on blood, cell, and organ donation.
  4. Drugs and alcohol assembly – CGL
  5. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer.

 

 

Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)
Autumn Term (Discrete PD lessons) Spring Term (Discrete PD lessons) Summer Term (Discrete PD lessons) Tutor Time Additional Sessions
Year 12 Thriving in the sixth form, Wellbeing and Safety

Lesson 1 – What makes an A* Tytherington Sixth Form student?

Lesson 2 – Balancing the demands of studying, part-time work, and personal life.

Lesson 3 – Managing influences relating to drugs and alcohol

Lesson 4 – The wider consequences associated with drugs

Lesson 5 – Staying safe when socialising – home and away binge drinking/spiking (1)

Lesson 6 – Homelessness

Lesson 7 – Vaping: The Facts

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Consent: revisited

Lesson 2 – Contraception and STIs/STDs – recap

Lesson 3 – Sexually explicit images/videos – the law and wider impact.

Lesson 4 – Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace.

Lesson 5 – What does it mean to be a modern man? Positive Masculinity

Lesson 6 – Staying safe when socialising – home and away – holidays (2)

Living in the Wider World

Lesson 1 – Money Management (RR)

Lesson 2 – Employability skills

Lesson 3 – CV writing (1)

Lesson 4 – CV writing (2)

Lesson 5 – Part-time jobs – contracts, pay-slips, rights, and responsibilities.

Lesson 6 – Driving – the financial implications

Careers Programme

Virtual PD

JB to deliver to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month, managing exam stress)

 

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. UCAS fair
  2. UCAS day with tutor
  3. Post 18 guidance
  4. Session on men’s mental health
  5. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer

 

Year 13 Wellbeing and Living in The Wider World

Lesson 1 – Performance under pressure

Lesson 2 – Voting.  

Lesson 3 – Money Management (RR)

Lesson 4 – Part time jobs – contracts, pay slips and rights and responsibilities.

Lesson 5 – Online subcultures and extremism

Lesson 6 – Social media algorithms

Lesson 7 – Cultural appropriation

Relationships and Sex Education

Lesson 1 – Sex and the media

Lesson 2 – Fake news

Lesson 3 – Free speech vs. hate speech

Lesson 4 – Addiction

Lesson 5 – Living away from home – safety, budgeting/bills, and practical considerations.

Lesson 6 – The dangers of pay day loans

Living in the Wider World

Lesson 1 – Renting and buying a house – what is the difference?

Lesson 2 – Saving for your future (pension and retirement)

Lesson 3 – Messages to your year 7 self

 

FINISH FOR STUDY LEAVE

Careers Programme

Virtual PD

JB to deliver to address topics/issues when they arise & mark PSHE awareness days (e.g., sexual harassment, mental health, anti-bullying, pride month, managing exam stress)

 

Statutory Citizenship

Taking Action – form groups to work collaboratively to support charitable causes throughout the year.

 

Additional sessions/assemblies:

  1. TBC
  2. Session on AI –
    pre-recorded from Mr Singer.

 

 

Assessing the Impact of our Personal Development Curriculum

Teacher Level

  • Evidenced through regular formative assessment opportunities throughout each lesson.
  • Each pupil has a progress tracker in their PD folder to document progress each lesson and RAG rating of learning outcomes (linked directly to DfE statutory outcomes) – teachers use this information to inform future planning.
  • Pupil engagement and behaviour in lessons.
  • Quality of discussions in lessons.
Head of Department Level

  • Regular lesson drop ins and book looks; including conversations with pupils to talk through their learning/books.
  • Feedback from staff during fortnightly departmental meetings.
  • Termly pupil voice/focus groups to assess the impact of PD and ensure pupil views are incorporated into curriculum planning (year 7/8; years 9/10; years 11-13).
  • Participation in diversity groups (e.g., LGBTQ+ and Women’s group)
Whole school/community level

  • Termly staff voice/focus group (including a broad range of staff across the school) to consider the whole school impact of PD.
  • Yearly parent survey to gather information on the impact of PD at home/community and to gain parental views on topics to include in our curriculum.
  • Feedback and suggestions from school governors.
  • Participation in charity events and community/volunteering opportunities.