Life Skills & Well-being

Year 7
Throughout this half term, Year 7 students will focus on health and puberty, developing an understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They will learn about the importance of diet, dental health, physical activity and sleep, as well as how to manage influences relating to caffeine, smoking, alcohol, vaping and SNUS. Lessons will support students in managing the physical and emotional changes experienced during puberty, understanding personal hygiene, and recognising unwanted or inappropriate contact. Learning will be assessed through a short mini assessment quiz.

Year 8
Year 8 will explore emotional wellbeing, with a strong focus on attitudes towards mental health and daily wellbeing. Students will learn how to challenge misconceptions and stigma, understand and manage their emotions, and develop healthy coping strategies. The curriculum also addresses digital resilience, helping students recognise and avoid unhealthy coping mechanisms such as self‑harm and eating disorders. Learning will conclude with a mini assessment quiz to check understanding.

Year 9
The focus in Year 9 is on healthy lifestyles and the relationship between physical and mental health. Students will explore how to balance work, leisure, exercise and sleep, and how to make informed choices around healthy eating. They will also consider the influence of body image and learn to make independent, healthy decisions. Lessons encourage students to take responsibility for their physical health, including understanding testicular self‑examination. Progress will be reviewed through a mini assessment quiz.

Year 10
Year 10 students will examine the influence of others and how this impacts decision‑making in increasingly independent situations. They will explore positive and negative role models, including celebrities and real‑life influences, and learn how to evaluate these influences while becoming positive role models themselves. The curriculum covers the media’s impact on perceptions of gang culture, peer influence, binge drinking, drug use and the effects these can have on individuals and families. Students will learn about drugs and the law, how to seek help for substance abuse and addiction, and how to stay safe in the wider world by using exit strategies in pressured or risky situations. Learning is assessed through a mini assessment quiz.

Year 11
Year 11 will focus on next steps, resilience and preparation for life beyond school. Students will develop perseverance in the lead‑up to final exams, learning how to build on prior achievements and use feedback constructively when planning their future. They will set personal goals related to attendance, prom, post‑16 progression and independent study, while exploring the range of options available and considering what is best for them. Lessons also address screen addiction, managing online presence, effective revision techniques and maintaining a healthy work‑life balance. The programme includes learning about democracy, British values and voting, alongside bespoke revision sessions to support Year 11 examinations.

• Relationships & Sexual Health Education Policy (PDF)

These links provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Gender Reassignment'. It discusses Gender Reassignment discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against Gender Reassignment discrimination, harassment and victimisation. We also look at how trans people are portrayed in society and discuss views and opinions on how this can impact participation in sport. If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• Gender reassignment discrimination - Equality and Human Rights Commission

• What is gender reassignment discrimination? - YouTube

This link will provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Marriage and Civil Partnership'. It discusses marriage and civil partnership discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against Marriage and Civil Partnership discrimination, harassment and victimisation through life, no matter what your beliefs or circumstances are. We look at how there are many types of non-nuclear families.  If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• Marriage and civil partnership discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission
• What is marriage and civil partnership discrimination? - YouTube

These links provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Pregnancy & Maternity. It discusses Pregnancy & Maternity discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against Pregnancy & Maternity discrimination, harassment and victimisation. We also cover large aspects of women's health, from menstruation to menopause. If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• What is pregnancy and maternity discrimination? - YouTube

• https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/pregnancy-and-maternity-discrimination

This link will provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Race'. It discusses Race discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against Race discrimination, harassment and victimisation through life. As well as the fact that race can mean your colour, or your nationality (including your citizenship). It can also mean your ethnic or national origins, which may not be the same as your current nationality. For example, you may have Chinese national origins and be living in Britain with a British passport. Race also covers ethnic and racial groups. This means a group of people who all share the same protected characteristic of ethnicity or race.  A racial group can be made up of two or more distinct racial groups, for example black Britons, British Asians, British Sikhs, British Jews, Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers.

If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• Race discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission
• What is race discrimination? | Equality law: discrimination explained

These links provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Religion or Belief'. It discusses Religion or Belief discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against Religion or Belief discrimination, harassment and victimisation through life. It is also discussed through EP lessons, which can be viewed on the Humanities' curriculum plan. If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• Religion or belief discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission

• What is religion or belief discrimination? - YouTube

This link will provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Age.

It discusses age discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against age discrimination, harassment and victimisation at work from employers and employees.

• What is age discrimination? 
• What is age discrimination? | Equality law: discrimination explained

This link will provide a context to the Protected Characteristic; Disability'. It discusses disability discrimination and gives examples of direct and indirect types of discrimination. In LS&W, we look at how the law protects against disability discrimination, harassment and victimisation in life, sport, school & work. If you would like to see more detail on this, please refer to our curriculum plan, or contact the Personal Development team.

• Disability discrimination | Equality and Human Rights Commission

• What is disability discrimination? | Equality law: discrimination explained - YouTube