Personal Development at Harrow Way

Giving students the knowledge and life skills to be healthy and productive citizens.

Personal development  promotes personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught program. Our aim is to give young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future. All teaching in Personal development takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school’s ethos and values.

The personal development curriculum includes:

  • PSHE (including RSE)

  • British Values

  • SMSC

  • Citizenship

  • Character Education

  • Careers Education

  • RE at KS4

  • Mental and Physical Health

  • Safeguarding Requirements

In addition to curriculum time we also have outside visitors, enrichment activities, tutor time, assemblies and a pastoral support system that supports students personal development.

Personal development  promotes personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught program. Our aim is to give young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future. All teaching in Personal development takes place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school’s ethos and values.

Curriculum Content

Key Stage 3

Year 7

  • The Harrow Way Way – Rules of the School

  • Friendships and positive relationships

  • What rights should children have?

  • How does local democracy work?

  • Puberty

  • Keeping safe (including drugs and alcohol)

  • Cycling safety

  • What is crime?

  • How can we make a difference in our communities?

  • E safety (including wellbeing, staying safe, laws and cyber bullying)

  • County Lines (including gangs and knife crime)

  • First Aid

  • How does the political system work in the UK?

  • How does the media affect us?

Year 8

  • Human rights (immigration/asylum seekers)

  • Bullying  (including prejudice/discrimination and homophobia)

  • Prevent

  • What is the law and how is it changed?

  • How can citizens bring about change?

  • Feelings and family

  • Mental health

  • Healthy relationships

  • Healthy living (including diet, exercise and smoking)

  • Mental health (anger management and emotional health)

  • Growing up

  • Why do people move around the world?

  • How can we manage money well?

Year 9

  • Careers (Discrimination in the workplace, public finances,difference between public/private sector)

  • E safety – computer safe, online behaviour, sexting, digital footprints,scamming

  • Peer on peer harm (including sexual harassment)

  • Relationship and sex education

  • Female genital mutilation (FGM)

  • Drugs education (legal and illegal)

  • How well does the media hold those in power to account?

  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system?

To support our curriculum we also have three personal development days throughout the year:

  • Year 9 Autumn Term – Prison Me No Way

  • Year 10 Summer Term – Active Citizenship

  • Year 11 Autumn Term –  Careers Day

Key Stage 4

Year 10

  • Academic and vocational routes at colleges and universities

  • Apprenticeship and job opportunities

  • Sexual Health and well being (including consequences and parenting)

  • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the legal system?

  • How does the UK still play a meaningful role in the international community?

  • Radicalisation and extremism

  • Child sexual exploitation

  • Forced marriage

  • Active citizenship (using application of IT)

Year 11

  • Drugs and alcohol

  • Emotional well being (including exam pressures)

  • The economy

  • Public Finances

  • Credit/debit

  • Pensions

  • Personal Finances

  • Careers (applying for jobs,professionalism, skills and qualities, using application of IT)