Intent

At Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, our Personal Development (PD) curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive in modern society. We aim to:

  • Promote healthy relationships, mental and physical wellbeing, and personal safety.
  • Foster respect, inclusion, and diversity, preparing students for life in a multicultural Britain.
  • Support students in developing resilience, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
  • Ensure students are informed about RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) in a way that is age-appropriate, inclusive, and responsive to their lived experiences.

This curriculum is a key driver of our whole-school approach to safeguarding, wellbeing, and character development.

Implementation

The curriculum is delivered through:

  • Fortnightly lessons across all year groups (Years 7–13), covering themes such as:

    • Relationships and Identity
    • Community and Inclusion
    • Body Awareness and Sexual Health
    • Mental Health and Wellbeing
    • Aspiration, Money and Independence

  • Spiral curriculum design – topics are revisited with increasing depth and complexity as students mature.
  • Tutor time and assemblies – reinforce key themes, respond to current issues and develop students spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding and appreciation.
  • External resources and expert-led content – including Life Lessons RSHE materials and peer-led video discussions.
  • Responsive planning – informed by student surveys, safeguarding data, and community context

Examples of topics taught include:

  • Year 7: Transition to secondary school, puberty, bullying, body image.
  • Year 8: Healthy friendships, romantic relationships, consent, online safety.
  • Year 9: Discrimination, mental health, sexual violence, contraception.
  • Year 10: Marriage, abusive relationships, substance misuse, financial literacy.
  • Year 11: Gender identity, sexual readiness, grief, STIs.
  • Sixth Form: Consent, fertility, independence, careers, budgeting, RE topics.

Impact

The curriculum contributes significantly to students’ personal development and wellbeing by:

  • Building confidence and self-awareness.
  • Encouraging respectful behaviour and tolerance.
  • Supporting mental health and emotional resilience.
  • Preparing students for safe, healthy relationships and life beyond school.
  • Promoting active citizenship and social responsibility.

Our curriculum ensures that every student at Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form is empowered to make informed choices, understand their rights, and feel proud of their identity.

Personal Development Curriculum map

RSHE Information and Support for Parents and Carers

As a proud Life Lessons school, parents and carers can access the Life Lessons Parent Page, which includes example materials and information about our approach towards RSHE.

Furthermore, you can get a greater insight into Life Lessons by watching the video, Who are Life lessons?

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RSHE Information and Support for Parents and Students

At Stoke Newington School and Sixth Form, we are committed to delivering high-quality Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) that supports the wellbeing and development of all our students. To help families and students engage with RSHE topics and continue conversations at home, we have compiled a list of trusted websites offering guidance, resources, and support.
Recommended RSHE Resources for Secondary and Sixth Form Students
1. Department for Education – RSHE Guidance
2. The Education Hub – RSHE Overview for Parents
3. NSPCC Learning – RSHE Resources
  • What it offers: Safeguarding-focused RSHE materials for schools and families.
  • Link: NSPCC RSHE Resources
4. Sex Education Forum
5. The Parents’ Guide to RSHE
6. Family Planning Association – Yasmine and Tom
7. The Mix – Support for Under 25s
  • What it offers: Free, confidential support on relationships, mental health, sex, and wellbeing for young people aged under 25.
We encourage all parents, carers, and students to explore these resources and use them to support open, age-appropriate conversations and mental wellbeing. If you have any questions or would like further support, please contact the RSHE lead at school.