At Thomas Mills High School our Personal Development curriculum is designed to satisfy statutory requirements as well as enable young people to develop into kind, knowledgeable and considerate contributors to society. This is done through working towards the goals outlined below:
For further details about Personal Development at Key Stage 3 or 4, or to discuss your child’s progress, please contact the school office.
Knowledge:
As an introduction to the course, pupils learn what personal development and personal, social, health and economic education actually means. They will also learn where to find help and support for the various topics that will be covered during the course.
Pupils will then examine various life stages and look at the physical and emotional changes that occur, particularly focusing on puberty. Pupils will learn about personal hygiene and how to stay clean and healthy.
Pupils will then learn about friendships, different types of relationships, what a healthy relationship is, and various forms of commitment in relationships. Pupils will also find out about unhealthy relationships and abuse in relationships and what to do in such situations.
Skills:
Pupils will help to devise a group working agreement based on listening to each other, thinking about their responses and mutual respect.
Pupils will then develop their communication skills and will learn coping strategies for the changes they are going through. They will also understand and recognise the importance of consent.
Useful Links
PSHE Association – education for life
Respect and Relationships – TrueTube
healthy unhealthy relationships – Google Search
Communication Skills: Empathetic Listening – Inside Out, 2015
Assessments:
There are three standardised assessments in the first term. These are structured questions based on puberty and other changes, relationships, and recognising abuse in relationships.
Knowledge:
Pupils will understand what health is and how their actions and lifestyle choices contribute to their physical and mental health.
Topics covered this term include dental health, sleep, diet and healthy eating, the importance of physical exercise for both physical health and mental well-being, the facts and science related to immunisation and vaccination, and the basics of first aid and CPR.
Skills:
Personal responsibility in looking after your own health.
Basic first Aid and CPR.
Useful Links
being healthy PSHE – Google Search
personal hygiene – Google Search
Why do We Brush Our Teeth? | Health for Kids | SciShow Kids
How to do CPR on an Adult – First Aid Training – St John Ambulance
Assessments:
There are two standardised assessments in the second term. These are structured tasks based on staying healthy and First Aid.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn to identify risk and assess risky behaviours in terms of possible consequences. Pupils will learn about harmful online behaviours. They will learn about stereotypes and how these can cause damage and can normalise non-consensual behaviour or encourage prejudice. Pupils will learn about different types of bullying, including online bullying, as well as how to report and get help.
Pupils will learn about their rights and responsibilities online. They will also learn that some types of behaviour in relationships are criminal including violent behaviour and coercive control.
Pupils will also learn the concept of and the laws relating to FGM.
Skills:
Pupils will be able to identify risky situations that may lead to trouble. They will also develop skills in dealing with pressure situations.
Useful Links
Crossing the Line PSHE Toolkit: Cyberbullying – Gone too far – YouTube
Sunshine – Don’t Confuse Love & Abuse – Day One
Assessments:
There is one standardised assessment in the third term. This is a structured summary task based a first year of studying Personal Development.
In Year 8, pupils will have two taught terms of Personal Development and one term of Accelerated Reader (AR). Accelerated Reader is a literacy skills improvement programme that has benefits in all areas of the curriculum and also aims to foster a love of reading and learning through reading.
Knowledge:
Pupils will explore the issues that may arise in their second year at high school. They will also learn where to find help and support for the topics that will be covered in the Year 8 course.
Pupils will learn about the laws relating to drugs in the UK (including the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971). This will include medicines and recreational drugs (legal and illegal). Pupils will explore the reasons why people use drugs and the consequences of their use. This topic will include the use of some illegal drugs, including cannabis as well as alcohol, smoking and vaping.
Skills:
Pupils will build resilience skills and coping strategies to deal with the increased demands of Year 8 studies.
Pupils will learn the skills to make informed decisions about drug use choices and learn how to manage situations involving drugs.
Useful Links
KS3 introduction to drugs UK — Google Search
Stop smoking – protect your child’s health: Healthier Together
Never Stop Trying – Feel Good Suffolk
How to talk to your teen about vaping risks and help them to quit vaping –
Drugs & Alcohol | Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds
Assessments:
There are two standardised assessments in this term. These are written structured tasks based on the pupils knowledge and understanding of drugs and the law and the effects of alcohol on the body.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn the role of sex in long-term committed relationships such as marriage, and the benefits of delaying sex to a much later age. Pupils will also understand the consequences of sexual activity including pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Pupils will know about conception, pregnancy and birth and the choices made by couples. Pupils will learn about consent and its importance in loving relationships.
Pupils will understand what good mental health feels like – and how to look after their own emotional wellbeing.
Skills:
Pupils will develop the skills associated with making informed choices around sex and relationships.
Pupils will develop and understanding of, and the skills required to use contraception effectively.
Pupils will develop the skills needed to look after their own emotional health, build their resilience and know where to go for additional help and support.
Useful Links
Advice for parents and carers: Your Sexual Health Matters
How to Talk to Children About Sex & Safety | NSPCC | NSPCC
PMH | Support for parents facing childhood mental health issues
Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | YoungMinds
Supporting young people info hub – for adults | Mind – Mind
Assessments:
There are three standardised assessments in this term. These are written structured tasks based on the choices around sex in relationships, contraception and developing resilience.
In Year 9, pupils are taught core RS and Personal Development (PD) on a 50:50 rotational basis, switching subjects every half-term. As such, timings below are approximate and reflect the information covered in PD lessons only.
Knowledge:
At the start of Year 9, pupils revisit the concept of “relating to others”. Pupils will also look at the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships and what makes a successful relationship. Pupils will also learn about exploitation and abuse in relationships.
Pupils also look at the idea of parenting – and the impact of becoming a young parent at this point of their lives – and the positives of waiting until a much later age.
Skills:
Pupils will develop their relationship skills. Pupils will look at the skills required to be a parent and analyse the age at which these skills are best developed.
Useful Links
relationship skills KS4 – Google Search
Britain’s Parenting Secrets | Very Different Approaches to Education | Up Close
Teenage Pregnancy – The Reality | Lorraine
Assessments:
There is one standardised assessment in the first term. This is an assessment based on identifying and developing relationship skills.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about the different types of drugs and the (UK) Law regarding drugs. Pupils will also learn about nicotine, alcohol and cannabis in more detail; the short- and long-term effects of these drugs on both physical and mental health. Pupils will also learn about the science of addiction and dependency and the benefits of breaking habits.
Skills:
Pupils will develop skills in managing situations involving drugs – and ways to avoid drug use. Pupils will be armed with the information to make informed, healthy choices.
Useful Links
Honest information about drugs | FRANK
Assessments:
There is one standardised assessment in this unit of work. This is based on the law and the class B drug, cannabis.
Knowledge:
Pupils will have a recap on the various methods of contraception, including their mode of action and their effectiveness iny protecting individuals from STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and unwanted pregnancy.
Pupils will examine the factors that influence their health, including the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. Pupils will also learn about the importance of dental hygiene, keeping up to date with vaccinations and the importance of getting the right quantity and quality of sleep.
Skills:
Pupils will have the opportunity to acquire the practical skill of using a condom correctly (using a condom demonstrator).
Pupils will learn the skills and the importance of monitoring their own personal health (including testicular and breast self-examination).
Pupils will be able to identify healthy foods and understand their role in diet.
Pupils will develop skills to maintain personal hygiene, including the correct way to floss and brush teeth. They will also know key actions that can lead to a better night’s sleep
Useful Links
Contraception | Terrence Higgins Trust
Take care of your teeth and gums – NHS
Assessments:
There are two standardised assessment tasks in this unit of work. These assess the knowledge and skills required in self-examination and understanding the teenage brain.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn what emotional wellbeing is, the impact of living with stress and the importance of having the right work-life balance.
Skills:
Pupils will develop skills in maintaining their mental health, strategies for dealing with stress (particularly exams) and in dealing with bereavement.
Useful Links
Parents’ Guide to Looking After Your Mental Health | YoungMinds
Parenting – looking after your own and your children’s mental health | Mental Health Foundation
Wellbeing for Young People (13yrs+) | PTSD in Teenagers | Helping teens with depression | RISE
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about the importance of sex in relationships, the importance of consent, choices around fertility and pregnancy, and values in relationships. Pupils will also learn about the potential issues around the use of pornography.
Skills:
Pupils will develop skills in knowing when physical relationships are right or wrong, how to give consent, and how to select and use appropriate contraception effectively.
Useful Links
Fumble – About Us – happy, healthy sex education for the digital age
Sex Ed: What parents and carers need to know – Brook
Assessments:
There are four standardised assessments in the first term. These are structured tasks set on the topics of dealing with stress, bereavement, consent, and values.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about the Equality Act 2010 and the protected characteristics. Pupils will learn about living in modern Britain and the importance of equality and challenging discrimination.
Skills:
Pupils will develop the skills to identify discrimination and hate crime – and know how to respond and report appropriately.
Useful Links
CRAE-Equality-Act-2010-guide.pdf
Talking to children about racism | NSPCC
How to talk to your child or teenager about gender equality
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about the role of the monarchy in modern Britain. Pupils will learn about the main UK political parties and their policies. They will also know about how the UK voting system works and possible alternatives.
Skills:
Pupils will develop their own understanding of their political views – they will be able to form a party and devise their own policies/manifesto.
Useful Links
Three Reasons Why Children Should Learn About Politics
Parents’ Resources – Educate Against Hate
Assessments:
There is one standardised assessment in the second term. This is a structured assessment based on the Equality Act 2010
Knowledge:
Pupils will understand what tax, credit, debt, pensions, mortgages and interest are. They will understand the importance of setting a budget to live within their means.
Pupils will learn about ethical and sustainable consumerism.
Skills:
Pupils will develop their budgeting skills, learn how to calculate tax and rates of interest and learn how to manage their money to minimise stress and pressure. They will also develop skills to make plans for their financial future.
Useful Links
Empowering Children Through Values-Based Financial Education
10 ways parents can teach their children about money – Young Enterprise & Young Money
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about their online rights and responsibilities. Pupils will examine how and why gangs exist and the issues around knife crime. Pupils will also learn about the role of the police, courts and prison service in maintaining law and order in the UK. Finally, pupils will learn about respect and gratitude in everyday life.
Skills:
Pupils will develop their skills to stay safe online – and learn what to do when things go wrong online. Pupils will look at social media use – and develop skills to use social media safely and appropriately.
Useful Links
Keeping children safe online – Parent’s questions answered | Barnardo’s
What is a Digital Citizen? – Young Citizens
Teaching Your Child about Internet & Online Safety | NSPCC
Practical Tips for Parents: Teaching Kids Online Responsibility | Stealth Gaming
Assessments:
There are three standardised assessments in the third term. These are structured tasks set on the topics of financial education, gangs and knife crime, and the UK legal system.
In Year 11, pupils are taught core RS and Personal Development (PD) on a 50:50 rotational basis, switching subjects every half-term. As such, timings below are approximate and reflect the information covered in PD lessons only.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn about the effects of drugs and alcohol, sunbathing, and cosmetic body modifications on their health and wellbeing. They will also learn about the laws and procedures surrounding blood, stem cell and organ donation in the UK.
Skills:
Pupils will develop the skills to help them make healthy choices for themselves and others.
Useful Links
Drugs & Alcohol | Mental Health | Guide For Parents | YoungMinds
Drug and alcohol information for parents | Change Grow Live
Knowledge:
Pupils will revisit and revise their online habits and online safety. They will also learn about their physical safety regarding roads, fireworks and waterways.
Skills:
Pupils will develop safety awareness skills to help them make safe choices in a range of circumstances and scenarios.
Useful Links
Water safety tips for parents | Canal & River Trust
Firework safety tips: How to have safe fireworks at home
Assessments:
There are standardised tasks on Safety in the sun and Blood and organ donation in this section of the Year 11 course.
Knowledge:
Pupils will learn more about relationships, contraception and the issues around sending and receiving nudes (sexting). They will also learn the difference between arranged and forced marriages – and about female genital mutilation (FGM).
Pupils will learn to plan for their future, thinking about the next steps in education and student finances. Pupils will also learn about lockdown procedures and what to do in an emergency.
Skills:
Pupils will have the opportunity to practise the skill of condom use on a condom demonstrator. Pupils will also develop their revision skills as they prepare for their GCSEs.
Useful Links
Contraception Guide – the methods and how to get them
Contraception | Terrence Higgins Trust
What is Forced Marriage? – Karma Nirvana
Student finance guide for parents and partners
Top revision techniques for exams – BBC Bitesize
How to Revise — 17 Essential Revision Tips | CGP Books
What You Can Do | Counter Terrorism Policing
Assessments:
There is on standardised assessment task in this part of the course on Sending and receiving explicit images.
Building confidence, developing life skills, exploring wellbeing, or understanding how to make informed and responsible choices?
Any pathway – skills gained support personal growth, resilience, communication, and decision-making for future education and employment.
Mr M D Wheeler
