Personal Development

Download Curriculum Map

Intent

Our PSHE curriculum is carefully designed to support pupils’ personal development, wellbeing, and preparation for life beyond school. Through a progressive and comprehensive programme, we cover essential topics including personal safety, diversity, mental and emotional health, relationships, financial literacy, career readiness, and British Values. This curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to make informed, responsible decisions, fostering resilience and respect in an ever-changing world.

Implementation

PSHE is delivered via a structured, termly programme tailored to each year group’s developmental needs and challenges. For Key Stage 3, lessons are split into two routes focusing on foundational topics such as safety, diversity, health, and digital literacy. Years 9 through 11 explore more complex themes, including substance misuse, respectful relationships, mental health, employability skills, and next steps for career and personal growth. Teaching employs engaging, inclusive methods encouraging discussion, reflection, and practical application, with continuous monitoring to ensure relevance and impact.

Impact

Pupils develop strong social and emotional skills, demonstrated through improved self-confidence, empathy, and responsible decision-making. Feedback from pupil voice and wellbeing surveys confirms increased awareness of safety, health, and relationships. The curriculum supports pupils in successfully managing transitions, setting meaningful goals, and engaging positively with their communities, preparing them for further education, work, and active citizenship.

Extra Curricular and Enrichment

To Read

Fiction

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas — Powerful exploration of race, identity, and activism.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio — A heartwarming story about kindness and acceptance.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy — Fantasy with mystery and humor, perfect for fans of magic and adventure.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins — A gripping dystopian thriller with strong themes of survival and society.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck — Classic novella touching on friendship, dreams, and hardship.
Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman — Thought-provoking alternate history tackling racism and segregation.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon — Unique perspective on neurodiversity and family.
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro — A haunting novel exploring memory and identity (for older teens).
• Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan — Mythology meets modern adventure.

Non-Fiction

I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) by Malala Yousafzai — Inspiring memoir about education and bravery.
A Short History of Nearly Everything (Young Readers Edition) by Bill Bryson — Fun and accessible science and history.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank — Powerful firsthand account of life during WWII.
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei — Graphic memoir exploring Japanese-American internment.

Poetry and Drama

Bloodtide by Melvin Burgess — Dark, gripping novel with poetic elements.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo — A novel in verse that tackles identity, family, and self-expression.
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare — A timeless tragedy about love and conflict, accessible with modern editions.

To Watch

TV Shows & Series

Heartstopper (Netflix) — A gentle, uplifting drama about friendship and LGBTQ+ identity, perfect for early to mid teens.
Anne with an E (Netflix) — A thoughtful and heartwarming series about belonging and growing up.
A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix) — A quirky, darkly comedic adventure based on the popular book series.
Never Have I Ever (Netflix) — A funny and relatable coming-of-age show about identity and family.
The Worst Witch (Netflix) — Magical adventures at a school for witches, great for fantasy fans.
Doctor Who (BBC) — Classic British sci-fi series with exciting adventures through time and space.
Carmen Sandiego (Netflix) — Animated action and mystery with an empowering heroine.

Films

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Stylish, fun, and inspiring animated superhero story.
The Hunger Games series — Action-packed dystopian films exploring bravery and justice (best for older teens).
Matilda — Classic tale of a smart girl overcoming challenges with kindness and courage.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before — Sweet teen romance with humor and heart.
A Wrinkle in Time — A fantasy adventure about courage and family bonds.
The Secret Garden — A magical story about friendship and healing.
Black Panther — An exciting superhero film with strong themes of identity and responsibility (suitable for mid to older teens).

Documentaries & Educational

Our Planet (Netflix) — Beautiful nature documentary with a strong conservation message.
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey — A fascinating science series exploring space and time.
Street Food (Netflix) — A vibrant look at street food culture worldwide, great for curious minds.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Awareness and Learning

The PSHE curriculum provides rich opportunities for Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) development throughout all key stages. Spiritually, pupils explore their personal identity, self-worth, and emotional wellbeing, reflecting on values, beliefs, and ethical questions related to topics such as consent, relationships, and financial decision-making. Morally, the curriculum promotes a strong sense of right and wrong by addressing issues such as bullying, discrimination, substance misuse, and respectful relationships. Pupils develop an understanding of British Values and the importance of safeguarding, encouraging responsible choices and empathy towards others.

Social development is fostered through lessons that enhance communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. Pupils learn to manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships in both face-to-face and online environments. Community awareness, including tackling extremism and preparing for future careers, supports pupils in becoming active, responsible citizens. Culturally, the curriculum celebrates diversity and challenges prejudice by exploring different cultures, identities, and religious beliefs. Pupils develop respect and appreciation for cultural differences, supported by themes of equality, digital literacy, and media awareness, helping them to navigate and contribute positively to a diverse society.

Careers Related Learning

Careers-related learning is a key component of the PSHE curriculum, embedded progressively across key stages to prepare pupils for future education, training, and employment. From Year 7 onwards, pupils develop teamwork, enterprise skills, and raise their aspirations through activities focused on careers and personal development. As they progress into Years 8 and 9, they explore equality of opportunity in careers, different work patterns, and community roles, helping them understand the world of work and their potential pathways.

Year 9 includes specific lessons on setting goals linked to GCSE options and employability skills, while Years 10 and 11 deepen this learning by focusing on work experience preparation, evaluating readiness for work, and understanding application processes. Throughout, pupils gain practical skills such as online professional presence, financial decision-making, and self-efficacy, ensuring they are well-equipped to make informed choices and succeed in their future careers.