Personal Development

Pupils receive one lesson a week of Personal Development (PD). PD is taught by tutors or by outside specialists to pupils in their tutor group environments.

PD is taught in all years, from Year 7 to Year 11.   

The PD Curriculum is designed to address the specific Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) needs of our pupils and to incorporate learning about:

  • RSE (Relationships and sex education) 
  • PSHE (Personal, social, health and economic education)  
  • Citizenship 
  • British Values (democracy, rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for people of faith and no faith)
  • Careers, Further Education and Training
  • Our Christian Ethos

DEEP Curriculum Overview

Pupils follow a 5-year journey and develop their understanding of the topics within PD at age-appropriate times. Resources are carefully designed and selected to engage pupils and enable them to see the relevance of the content in their own lives. Teaching and learning takes place in a variety of ways, including the use of discussion, video, theatre, problem solving and practical activities for example the practise of CPR and voting. Pupils are encouraged to be critical thinkers and are given opportunities to engage with the issues of the wider world at a local, national and global level. 

Assessment is carried out informally by both teachers and the pupils themselves and through the ongoing evaluation of the PD programme. 

Topics / Areas of Study

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Please note: 

Relationships and sex education (RSE) is a statutory requirement. For a more in-depth breakdown of what will be taught in these areas please visit this link (link opens in a new tab/window).

For a more in-depth breakdown of the careers curriculum please visit the careers section of our website here.


Frequently asked Questions

A series of frequently asked questions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education-faqs