Intent 

At The Oaks Academy Personal Development is at the core of what we do and enables our children to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the “whole child” intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. Through our whole-school approach to Personal Development, it is our belief that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life.  To support our clear message around personal growth The Oaks defines this as the CHARACTER curriculum. 

Careers & Finance 

Health 

Aspirations 

Responsibility 

Active Citizenship 

Community 

Tolerance 

Emotional intelligence 

Relationships 

 

PSCHE lessons form one element of the Personal Development curriculum. This curriculum equips children with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. With an ever-changing society, we are able to provide our children with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community. 

Implementation 

All children in year 7-9 have 2 distinct CHARACTER lessons across their 2-week timetable and once a fortnight in years 10 & 11. These lessons are delivered by form tutors whilst also utilising expertise from outside speakers. The planning and structure of this delivery is mapped across the school and is also supported by a clear form time and assembly programme which is mapped against an inclusion calendar. 

Planning and ensuring the facilitation of an appropriate PSCHE curriculum is the SLT lead for Community and Personal Development. SLT will ensure that staff are provided with the appropriate training and support required to deliver an effective Personal Development programme, through distinct lessons and a weekly form time programme. They will plan and co-ordinate with the Key Stage directors an effective assembly programme that supports a clear message around CHARACTER, its purpose and its values at The Oaks. 

At key stage 3, students will build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSCHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.  

At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSCHE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others. 

PSCHE Curriculum Map

 

CHARACTER lesson implementation 

There are 6 spiral themes to the CHARACTER programme which run across year 7-11. Each theme is then broken down further to ensure compliance with Dfe statutory RSE and Health guidelines, Gatsby benchmarks, PSHE association Core Themes and CDI Framework 

  • Life Beyond School 
  • Celebrating Diversity and Equality 
  • Staying safe online and offline 
  • Health and Wellbeing 
  • Rights Responsibilities and British Values 
  • Relationships and Sex Education 

Health & Wellbeing

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Introduction to puberty 

Puberty (Girl’s focus) 

Puberty (boys focus) 

Personal and oral hygiene 

Growing up and FGM 

Assertiveness, consent and hormones 

Self-esteem and empowerment 

Screen time and safe mobile phone use 

 

Health & wellbeing

Self-harm

Positive body image

Dove – body image

Types of bullying

Healthy eating and cholesterol

Child abuse

Self-esteem changes 

Bullying in all its forms 

Dealing with grief and loss 

Media & airbrushing 

Cancer prevention & healthy lifestyles 

Child on child abuse 

Child abuse (CSE) 

Common mental health issues 

Promoting emotional wellbeing 

Teenage pregnancy  

Love & abuse are not the same  

Cancer  

Organ donation & donating blood  

  

Life beyond School

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Intro to PSCHE 

Getting to know people 

Careers and your future 

Sleep and relaxation 

Financial Education 

 

Employability skills 

Proud to be me 

Careers and interests 

Self esteem and the media 

Labour market information 

Exploring careers 

From Failure to success 

First Aid 

Importance of happiness 

Using trustworthy websites to support future planning 

Careers vocational and academic 

Employment & Financial management 

Saving and managing money 

Aspirations & Employability 

Writing a CV 

Rights & Responsibilities 

  

College research & applications 

Writing a personal statement 

Dealings with exam stress and anxiety 

Time management 

College applications & support 

 

Relationship & Sex Education

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Consent and boundaries 

What makes a good friend 

Friendships & Managing them 

Being positive & Respectful 

Pressure & Influence 

What does it mean to be a man 

Introduction to RSE 

Healthy Relationships 

Dealing with conflict 

What is Love? 

Introduction to contraception 

Sexual consent and the law  

FGM and the law  

Delaying sexual activity  

Why have sex?  

Why have sex – part 2  

What are STIs  

Contraception  

Contraception – part 2  

Exploring the realities of contraception  

Sexual harassment and stalking  

HIV and AIDS  

Porn life V Real Life  

Domestic Abuse  

Sexual Violence     

Peer on Peer bullying  

Fertility & what impacts it  

Alcohol and bad choices  

Importance of sexual health  

 

Rights, Responsibilities & British Values

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Why is politics important  

How is our country run  

Elections and campaigning  

Politics and debating  

  

Law making in the UK  

Criminal’s laws and society  

Prisons, reform and punishment  

Desert Island living  

Building a community  

Critical thinking and fake news  

What is a cult?  

 

Conspiracies and Extremist narratives  

Extremism in all its forms  

What is terrorism  

Proud to be British  

Radicalisation process  

Counter terrorism  

Anti-Semitism  

LGBT rights and British values  

Exploring human rights  

Exploring Britishness and British values  

Year 11 will cover this through the form and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages

 

Celebrating Diversity & Equality 

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Multicultural Britain   

What is your identity   

Nature v Nurture   

Equality act 2010   

Prejudice and discrimination   

Challenging Islamophobia   

LGBT what is it?  

LGBT homophobia in schools  

Supporting those that are LGBT  

Challenging homophobia  

Transphobia  

Coming out  

#Metoo movement 

Year 9 will cover this through the form time and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages 

Women’s rights & equality 

Peace, War and conflict 

Year 11 will cover this through the form and assembly programme which reinforces whole school messages