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Personal Development

Image of woman standing on a log in the sunshine

Personal Development staff

Miss H Boyd
Miss S Watts

Personal Development

“Wellness is the compete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realisation that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.”

– Greg Anderson

Key Stage 3

Students receive one Personal Development (PD) lesson every week. The course is divided into modules and the content of these is outlined below.

Year 7 topics

Health and wellbeing

  • What are the fundamental British Values and how do they link to the 3Rs?
  • What makes me, me?
  • How can I express my emotions in a constructive way?
  • How can I manage the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty?
  • Why is it sometimes important to stand up to peer pressure?
  • How can we look after our personal safety?
  • What should I do in an emergency?
  • What lifestyle choices can we make to ensure we are fit and healthy?
  • What risks are posed by drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes and vapes?
  • FGM and how to access help and support

Careers

  • How can I accurately set goals?
  • What career paths are available to me? What qualifications would I need?
  • What career pathways are available to me? What skills do I require in the work place?
  • How can we challenge stereotypes in the world of work?
  • What is consumerism?

Citizenship

  • What is citizenship?
  • What is Parliament?
  • What is local government?
  • What are the key features of elections?
  • Why are there so many political parties?
  • What is devolution?
  • Is public funding being used effectively?

RSE

  • What are periods?
  • What is the best way to manage a fallout?
  • How can peer pressure and the media influence our expectations of relationships?
  • How can we challenge prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination?
  • Why are positive family relationships important for our wellbeing?
  • How can we cope with the breakdown of a relationship?
  • What qualities and behaviours should there be in a positive relationship?
  • What do we mean by consent, and how can we communicate it effectively?
  • What is the best way to respond to unwanted contact from someone?
  • What is bullying and how can we deal with it in a positive way?
  • What is prejudice and what impact can it have?

Year 8 topics

Health and Wellbeing

  • How can we demonstrate respect for protected characteristics?
  • How can we manage our emotions in a positive way?
  • What is the difference between healthy and unhealthy coping strategies?
  • Why is it important to challenge stigma attached to mental health?
  • How can I become more digitally resilient?
  • What effect do different drugs have on our body?
  • How can I manage influences relating to smoking and the use of vapes?
  • How can I manage influences relating to alcohol and drugs?
  • How can I protect myself from county lines?

Careers

  • How can I demonstrate employability?
  • What are my rights and responsibilities in the workplace?
  • What is health and safety in the workplace?
  • How can we challenge discrimination in the workplace?
  • What skills make us more employable?
  • Why do first impressions count?

Citizenship

  • What is Parliament?
  • How do party politics limit Parliament’s effectiveness?
  • What are the voting systems used in the UK?
  • What are human rights?
  • What are challenges to human rights?
  • Does the UN do enough to protect human rights around the world?

RSE

  • What is the difference between a healthy and unhealthy relationship, and how can we seek support?
  • What is the best way to establish a healthy sexual relationship?
  • Why is consent so important?
  • What are the consequences of sending nude photos?
  • What are the different types of contraception and why are they important?
  • What are STIs and how can they be prevented?
  • What is gender identity and how can we challenge transphobia and gender-based discrimination?
  • How can I challenge racism and religious discrimination?
  • How can I challenge homophobia and biphobia?

Year 9 topics

Health and Wellbeing
  • How can we demonstrate respect for British Values at Millthorpe?
  • How are physical and mental health interconnected?
  • How can I manage the influences on my body image?
  • How can I make independent health choices?
  • How can I assess risk and safely manage influences?
  • How can we assess risk and manage influences, including online?
  • What is ‘Group Think’ and how does it affect our behaviour?
  • How can we manage risk in relation to gangs?
  • What are the legal and physical risks of carrying a knife?
  • What are the legal and health risks in relation to drug and alcohol use?
Careers
  • What is employability?
  • What are possible STEM careers?
  • What should I consider when choosing my GCSE options?
  • How can we manage our personal brand online?
  • How can I sell myself to an employer?
Citizenship
  • How is governance organised?
  • What is the role of inquiries in governance?
  • Why is free press so significant?
  • What does the British legal system look like?
  • What are the key features of international law?
  • What prompted the Black Lives Matter movement?
  • What can we learn from Black Lives Matter’s case studies?
RSE
  • What are the characteristics of a positive relationship and how can we best communicate our needs?
  • What are the consequences of unprotected sex?
  • What are the possible consequences of unintended pregnancy?
  • How can we recognise abuse within a relationship and what support is available?
  • How does the media and pornography influence our view of positive sexual relationships?
  • What are the signs of grooming and harassment and how can we seek help?

Key Stage 4

Students receive one Personal Development lesson every week. The course is divided into modules and the content of these is outlined below.

Year 10 topics

Health and Wellbeing
  • What would the UK be like if we didn’t live by the fundamental British Values?
  • What is the best way to reframe negative thoughts?
  • How can I promote my own mental health and wellbeing and seek support if I need it?
  • How is mental health portrayed in the media and how can we correct misconceptions about it?
  • What is the best method of stress management for me?
  • The impact of drugs
  • How to seek help for substance abuse and addiction
  • How to manage peer influence in increasingly individual scenarios
  • How to evaluate the influence of role models
  • Case study with a religious focus
Careers
  • How do I evaluate my strengths and make links with future career paths?
  • What strategies can you use to overcome challenges in the workplace?
  • How do I prepare for an interview?
  • How do I find a job?
  • What is the importance of my digital footprint?
Citizenship
  • What are the three branches of the UK government and what do they do?
  • How is the British government held to account?
  • What is the purpose of a general election?
  • What does the census reveal?
  • What are contemporary issues in Britain?
  • How do party politics affect Britain’s effectiveness
RSE
  • What are the characteristics and benefits of positive, equal relationships?
  • Why is it important to respect a partner’s readiness for sex?
  • What is the role of sex in the media and its impact on sexuality?
  • What is coercion within a relationship and how should we respond?
  • What is victim blaming and how can we challenge it?
  • How can I manage unwanted attention?
  • What is extremism and how can we respond to it?
  • How can we identify harmful sexual behaviour?
  • Everyday sexism and toxic masculinity – what can we do to challenge sexism in society?
  • What is revenge porn and what damage can it cause?
  • Where can we get help if we experience sexual assault or harassment?

Year 11 topics

Health and Wellbeing
  • How are countries governed that don’t have fundamental British Values?
  • How can I manage the judgement of others?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of life online?
  • Media v Reality. What is the difference when it comes to body image and how does it impact me?
  • How can I build confidence and work towards realistic, ambitious goals?
  • How can I manage and assess risk and safety in new situations?
  • How can my lifestyle impact my physical health?
  • Why are vaccinations and immunisations important?
  • Why is blood and organ donation so important?
Careers
  • How can I use SMART targets to help me plan for the future?
  • What are my options at post-16?
  • How do I apply for post-16 options? How do I write an effective CV?
  • How can I live independently?
  • What does my wage slip mean?
  • Why is online gambling something to be wary of?
Citizenship
  • How is parliament structured? How are laws created?
  • What’s the role of the citizen in government?
  • What is the legal system of the UK?
  • What is the ethnic make up of Britain?
  • What is Britain’s relationship with the world?
RSE
  • What qualities and skills are the most important in family life?
  • What is fertility and how does it change throughout our lives?
  • What are the consequences of unplanned pregnancy?
  • What is the difference between a healthy and unhealthy or abusive relationship?
  • What is domestic abuse and what impact can it have?
  • What is sexual exploitation and how can it be tackled?
  • What are my relationship values, and how can I communicate them?
  • What are the characteristics of a safe, healthy sexual relationship?
  • How can we identify and seek support for abusive faith or cultural practices?
  • What are the risks of gang affiliation?
  • How can we protect ourselves from County lines?
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