How the Personal Development curriculum is designed

An ambitious and inclusive curriculum

The curriculum is ambitious for every pupil. It develops the knowledge, confidence and practical skills pupils need to keep themselves safe, build positive relationships, care for their wellbeing and participate responsibly in society.

Four connected curriculum strands

Learning is organised through Personal Development, Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, and Living in the Wider World. These strands provide balanced coverage and clear progression across Years 7 to 11.

A carefully sequenced journey

Topics are taught at an age-appropriate point and revisited with increasing depth. Pupils build from foundational knowledge about identity, safety and citizenship towards more complex learning about responsibility, independence and adult life.

Safe and respectful learning

Clear ground rules support open and thoughtful discussion. Sensitive issues are taught carefully, using accurate and inclusive language. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions and are regularly reminded where they can find further support.

Knowledge, vocabulary and retrieval

Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and regularly revisited. Retrieval activities help pupils remember important concepts and apply them to different situations.

Practical life skills

Pupils develop skills including communication, decision-making, emotional regulation, financial awareness, online safety, self-management and help-seeking. Learning is connected to realistic situations pupils may encounter.

Citizenship and British values

Pupils explore democracy, rights, responsibilities, equality, respect and the rule of law. They consider how they can contribute positively to school, their local community and wider society.

Health and wellbeing

Pupils learn how to support their physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing. They explore healthy lifestyles, risk, resilience, coping strategies and where to find reliable help.

Relationships

Pupils learn about kindness, respect, empathy, equality, communication and personal boundaries. They explore the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships and understand how to report concerns and seek support.

Living in the Wider World

Pupils develop knowledge of careers, finance, enterprise, digital citizenship and independent living. They learn how to assess information critically and prepare for future education, employment and adult responsibilities.

Ambitious and accessible for all

Learning is adapted without reducing expectations. Visual support, simplified language, writing frames, dual coding, exemplars and chunked instructions help remove barriers.

Content reflects different backgrounds, family structures, identities, neurotypes and lived experiences. Alternative communication methods, predictable routines and structured discussion help every pupil participate.

Assessment that supports improvement

Teachers use discussion, reflection, retrieval activities and low-stakes tasks to check understanding. Pupils complete formal assessments across the year so that teachers can identify misconceptions and adapt future teaching.

The impact of the curriculum

Over time, pupils become increasingly confident, responsible and independent. They can make informed decisions, manage risks, build positive relationships, care for their wellbeing and seek help when needed.

What pupils will learn in Personal Development

Year 7

Pupils establish the foundations needed to participate successfully in secondary school and the wider community. They learn about:

• Democracy, citizenship, rights and responsibilities.
• Being a responsible member of a community.
• Diversity, equality and protected characteristics.
• Bullying, cyberbullying and discrimination.
• Healthy friendships, respect and personal boundaries.
• Mental wellbeing, grief, change and resilience.
• Puberty and personal wellbeing.
• Online safety and managing screen use.
• Enterprise, charity and introductory financial skills.

Learning helps pupils develop confidence, understand their rights and responsibilities and recognise where to seek help.

Year 8

Pupils build greater independence and explore more complex social situations. They learn about:

• Democracy, respect and British values.
• Citizenship, prejudice and hate crime.
• Identity, relationships, racism and equality.
• Healthy and unhealthy relationships.
• Healthy lifestyles and the risks associated with harmful substances.
• Cancer awareness and health education.
• Careers, aspirations and future pathways.
• Misinformation, artificial intelligence and critical thinking.
• Financial capability and practical life skills.

Learning helps pupils recognise risk, challenge unfairness and make increasingly informed decisions.

Year 9

Pupils deepen their understanding of personal responsibility and managing risk. They learn about:

• Democracy, human rights, conflict and the environment.
• Respect, consent and equality within relationships.
• Domestic abuse, harmful attitudes and online exploitation.
• Gangs, county lines and peer pressure.
• Healthy living and mental wellbeing.
• Online stress and responsible digital behaviour.
• Enterprise, fraud prevention and personal finance.
• Charity and contributing positively to society.

Learning helps pupils identify unsafe situations, think critically and understand how to access support.

Year 10

Pupils explore issues connected to adult life, society and increasing responsibility. They learn about:

• Democracy, charity and social responsibility.
• Prejudice, discrimination and women’s rights.
• Trade unionism and ethical debates.
• Blood donation and public responsibility.
• Harassment, harmful online cultures and respectful relationships.
• Radicalisation, misinformation and positive role models.
• Mental health, happiness, self-esteem and social media.
• Financial institutions, debt, gambling and online gambling.

Learning helps pupils evaluate complex issues, manage risks and make responsible choices.

Year 11

Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for life beyond school. They learn about:

• Democracy, charity and community participation.
• Managing stress and anxiety.
• Self-regulation, assertiveness and examination pressure.
• Emotional abuse, forced marriage and peer-on-peer abuse.
• Personal safety and accessing appropriate support.
• Independent living and self-management.
• Study skills and resilience.
• Cancer awareness and prevention.
• University, college and other post-16 pathways.
• CV writing and job interviews.

Learning helps pupils approach further education, employment or training with greater confidence, independence and self-awareness.