Life Skills & Well-being

Year 7: This term, Year 7 students will focus on transitioning to a new school environment, managing friendships and improving study skills. They’ll learn to handle emotions constructively, identify personal strengths, and manage anger. Safety topics include basic first aid and personal safety strategies for travel. The term will also highlight Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Year 8: Year 8 will explore the effects of drugs and alcohol, including the risks of tobacco, nicotine, and energy drinks. They’ll discuss addiction types and mental health self-awareness. The curriculum will cover social events, addiction, and the impact of overconsumption. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month will also be observed.

Year 9: The focus for Year 9 is on peer influence, substance use and gang-related issues. Students will learn about anti-social behaviour, peer pressure, and the legal implications of county lines and knife crime. They’ll also discuss drug use, addiction, and hate crime, with an assessment to consolidate their learning. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month will be included.

Year 10: Year 10 will delve into mental health, addressing challenges during adolescence such as body image and social media influence. They’ll learn strategies to promote emotional wellbeing, recognise signs of mental ill-health and how to access support. The curriculum will also tackle mental health stigma and misinformation, in line with Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Year 11: Year 11 students will focus on independence, managing risks and personal safety in various situations. They’ll learn about health screenings, vaccinations, and accessing medical services. The curriculum includes managing judgement, balancing ambitions, stress management and the risks of cosmetic alterations. Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month will be highlighted.

Year 7:

Year 7 students will focus on understanding diversity, prejudice, and bullying. They will learn about identity, rights, and responsibilities, as well as the importance of living in a diverse society. Lessons will cover challenging prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination related to various aspects of diversity, including family structures, disabilities, religion, ethnicity, and gender. The aim is to help students recognise and support diversity in all its forms.

Year 8:

Year 8 will study different forms of discrimination and how to challenge them. Topics include racism, sexism, gender identity, transphobia, homophobia, and biphobia. Students will also discuss tolerance and resilience, with a focus on managing influences on beliefs and decisions, understanding group dynamics, and recognising the importance of inclusivity and respect in a diverse society.

Year 9:

Year 9 students will explore respectful relationships and family dynamics. They will learn about different types of families, including single-parent, same-sex, blended, adoption and fostering. The lessons will also cover positive relationships at home, managing relationships, understanding conflict, and conflict resolution strategies. Additionally, students will discuss how to handle relationship breakdowns and access support services when needed.

Year 10: 

Year 10 will focus on healthy relationships and the concept of masculinity. Students will discuss relationship values, the impact of social norms on perceptions of masculinity and the consequences of toxic masculinity. They will also explore the opportunities and risks of forming relationships online, the impact of media and pornography on sexual attitudes and behaviours and how to distinguish myths from reality regarding pornography.

Year 11:

Year 11 will concentrate on communication in relationships, with a strong emphasis on understanding consent. Students will learn about the ethical and legal implications of consent, including issues of manipulation and coercion. The curriculum will also cover recognising and responding to pressure, exploitation and victim blaming, as well as understanding asexuality, abstinence, and celibacy. Additionally, they will develop skills for assertive communication and learn how to handle harassment, stalking, and abusive relationships, including accessing support services.

Each year group will also review expectations for behaviour at school and create ground rules for safer spaces, ensuring a respectful and inclusive learning environment.

• 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