Topic outline

  • Personal Development

    • Here at Yardleys School the Personal Development Curriculum is designed to ensure we educate the ‘whole child’. Our robust Personal Development Curriculum enables pupils to succeed in all aspects of their future and prepare them for life in ways the students may currently be unable to recognise. The curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of the ​ever-changing world in which we live, develop the skills necessary to take an active role in their community and manage their life effectively in the future.

       

      The Personal Development Curriculum is implemented throughout Yardleys School via:

      • Weekly themed assemblies
      • Weekly Personal Development sessions delivered by form tutors
      • Personal Development sessions delivered by external agencies (including the West Midlands Police and Loudmouth Theatre)
      • Weekly Enrichment sessions
      • Participation in school clubs
      • Undertaking student leadership roles
      • Our active CEIAG program

       

      The Yardleys Personal Development Curriculum has been structured and sequenced using a thematic spiral approach with age-appropriate content throughout. The content was selected using the statutory SRE guidance as the foundation, with students and teachers collaborating on the order of progression. Additional curriculum content was also selected to take into account our local context and ensure the content is relevant and responsive to the ever changing world around us.

      Yardleys school governors, which include independent members of the school community and parents have approved all content and support in its delivery.

    • Physical


      If you would like any more information about cervical or prostate cancer, you can visit the NHS website where you will find further information:


      If you're living with a parent who has a substance use problem, you might like to reach out to others for safety, help, and support. Please remember that staff are here to support you with issues like this, but if you would like more independent advice visit the following website: 


      If you know someone you would like to encourage to quit smoking, more information can be found at the following website:


      If you are concerned about the amount of alcohol someone you know consumes and you would like more information, use the following website:


      If you would like more information on living donors, use the following website:

    • Mental


      Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous place for young people to find online mental health support. It also provides counselling support for young people aged 11 to 25 years. 


      Other sites that may also be useful include:

    • Sexual Health Advice


      All schools have a policy in place when it comes to reporting inappropriate sexual behaviour or abuse and Yardleys is no different.  We have a safeguarding team, with Mr Sohal as the Lead Safeguarding Officer, who is fully trained and equipped to deal with these cases. You can also speak to childline on 0800 1111 and get support on their website.

      And the NSPCC supports children with this issue too.  You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk or completing the report abuse online form.

      If you would like more information on online grooming or need someone to talk to childline offer 1-2-1 councillor chats online, find more information about this here: 

      www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat

      If you would like more information or guidance on dealing with sexually motivated crimes, then you may find the following website useful:


      If you would like more information about staying safe online and reducing the risk of exposure to accidental online pornography you may find the following website useful:

    • Relationships


      If you would like any further information on the how words can hurt and the impact this has on individuals using the following link:


      If you would like more information on gender related issues visit the following website to get the facts:


      If you would like more information on how to identify and find help combatting abusive relationships use the following website for guidance:


      If you would like more information on bullying, following link might be helpful:


      If you have concerns about domestic abuse this is a freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge
      0808 200 0247

    • Democracy and the Law


      If you would like more information on drugs and the law you can visit this website:


      This website outlines British values:


      This webpage gives information about how the British parliament work:


      If you would like more information on hate crimes and how to report them then visit this website:


      If you would like more information and guidance on county lines and the impact it has, you may find the following website useful:

    • Careers and Enterprise


      If you would like more information on how to set a budget or ways to manage money more effectively try the following website:


      If you would like more advice on the options process, use the following link to get some impartial advice:


      If you would like more advice on interview techniques look at the following website:


      If you are interested in finding ways to volunteer in your local community, use the following website to guide you to the correct place:


      If you would like more information on types of mortgages, please use the following website for some impartial advice:


      Look at the areas ‘careers’ – read through some careers you would be interested in:

      www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers

    • Parental Right to Withdraw from Sex Education

      In accordance with the Department for Education’s statutory guidance, parents have the right to withdraw their child from Sex Education.

      At secondary school level parents will be able to withdraw their child from sex education (other than the sex education which sits in the National Curriculum as part of science in maintained schools). However a child will also have a right to opt into sex education from their 15th birthday (specifically three academic terms before they turn 16)

      This right does not apply to:

      • Relationships Education in primary schools
      • Relationships and Health Education in secondary schools
      • Sex Education content that is part of the National Curriculum for Science

      If you wish to withdraw your child from Sex Education lessons, please submit a written request to the Headteacher. The school will then arrange a meeting to discuss the request, outline the content of the curriculum, and explain the potential impact of withdrawal.

      For more details, please refer to our Policy or contact the school office.

      Personal Development resources are available for all year groups upon written request addressed to the Headteacher.

    • If you would like more information on the topics covered in the Yardleys Personal Development Curriculum please click on the 2023-2024 Curriculum plan.

      2025-2026 Curriculum Plan


      As a parent, a policy you may find helpful regarding our Personal Development Curriculum can be found below:

      Sex and Relationship Policy