Personal Development
Personal Development at Key stage 3 and 4
The intent of the Personal Development curriculum is to educate our students to make informed choices in their lives to keep themselves healthy and safe, and to develop life skills which will enable them to make a positive contribution to the wider community.
Personal Development (PD) is delivered in weekly sessions via an inclusive, engaging, balanced and broad curriculum designed with our students' needs at its heart. Students in Years 7 - 11 receive one hour a week of PD.
The Programme of Study is designed to:
- deliver the Citizenship Curriculum
- deliver careers provision, complying with the Department for Education Careers Guidance and Access for Education and Training Providers 2018.
- comply with section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010 which states that schools must provide a curriculum that:
- promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and
- prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
- comply with The Equality Act 2010
- comply with statutory guidance: Relationship Education, Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education 2019.
In addition to the lessons, which are taught by our small committed team of teachers, our curriculum is enhanced by the delivery of some topics by qualified experts, for example the School Nurse delivers lessons for Year 7 on puberty and hygiene, for Year 8 on Consent and Healthy relationships and further topics in Key stage 4. First aid is delivered by via a certified course by experienced paramedics. Additionally, we work closely with the Careers Lead to deliver our careers and employability topics.
Personal Development Programme |
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Topics covered |
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Year 7 |
E - Safety |
Transition and personal safety |
British values |
Communication with others |
Alcohol and smoking |
Our bodies |
Wider world |
Year 8 |
Healthy lifestyle |
Financial wellbeing |
Discrimination, stereotyping and prejudice |
Careers |
Relationships and consent |
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Year 9 |
Law |
Drugs and gangs |
Relationships |
Human Rights |
Financial wellbeing |
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Year 10 |
Employability |
Life online |
Being safe in relationships |
Mental and emotional health |
Finance |
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Year 11 |
Post-16 choices |
Personal safety and risk |
Influence of the media |
International law |
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Topics vary in length, typically lasting between 5 and 9 lessons.
Right to Withdraw
Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from lessons that cover sex education (these have been defined by the school as lessons covering contraception and sexually transmitted disease) which form part of the Year 9 curriculum. Parents and carers who wish to withdraw their sons from these lessons are asked to inform the Headteacher in writing of their wishes (please refer the Citizenship and PSHE policy for further information).
Assessment
There is no formal examination in PD, however CAR feedback is given which allows students opportunities to expand their knowledge and improve their work. Progress over a topic is shown by a mind map which demonstrates students’ knowledge and understanding at the start and end of each topic.
Contact:
Mrs Keoghan, Head of Personal Development
dkeoghan@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk