At Glossopdale School and Sixth Form, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education equips students with the knowledge, skills and values they need to lead safe, healthy, responsible and fulfilling lives. Our PSHE curriculum supports pupils to develop confidence, resilience, empathy and informed decision‑making, enabling them to thrive both now and in the future.

• Personal development plays a central role in preparing students to:

• Navigate the physical, emotional and social challenges of adolescence

• Build positive relationships and respect diversity

• Understand how to manage risk, stay safe, and seek support

• Become active, responsible citizens in modern British society

The curriculum is underpinned by our school ethos, and promotes equality, inclusion, safeguarding and student wellbeing. It ensures students meet statutory requirements for Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) while responding to local and national priorities such as mental health, online safety and financial education.

Personal development is delivered through a planned, spiral curriculum that builds knowledge progressively from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4, revisiting key themes in increasing depth and complexity. These sessions are delivered through morning meetings as part of the tutor program, whilst more sensitive topics (RSHE) are embedded in the Beliefs and Values curriculum.

The curriculum is structured around three core themes:

• Health and Wellbeing

• Relationships

• Living in the Wider World

Lessons are delivered regularly by trained and confident staff using inclusive, age‑appropriate and evidence‑based resources. Teaching approaches encourage discussion, reflection, critical thinking and the development of personal and social skills.

A safe and respectful teaching environment is established, enabling students to engage confidently with sensitive topics, ask questions and express their views.

The Personal Development curriculum is supported through assemblies, external speakers and strong links with pastoral and safeguarding systems. Content is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant, accurate and responsive to student need.

Through our Personal Development curriculum, students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to stay safe, build healthy relationships and make informed decisions. Students leave school with increased self‑awareness, resilience and confidence, enabling them to contribute positively to society.

 Impact is monitored through student voice, staff reflection, wellbeing indicators, behaviour and attendance data, and safeguarding information. Personal Development makes a positive contribution to their educational experience and prepares them to be responsible, respectful and active members of society.

Please click on these links to see the Personal Development Curriculam for each year group. 

Year 7 Curriculum for PD

Year 8 Curriculum for PD

Year 9 Curriculum for PD

Year 10 Curriculum for PD

Year 11 Curriculum for PD

 

All staff contribute to Personal Development through their roles as form tutors and subject teachers. The Personal Development Curriculum is planned, monitored and evaluated by the Director and Asst. Director of  Personal Development (Years 7 to 11) in consultation with the Asst. Headteacher for Personal Development and KS3.  The Post 16 programme is planned by the Assistant Principal for Post 16 in consultation with the Director of Personal Development and Post 16 Leader. 

The school is currently working towards the Derbyshire School award for Drugs and SRE (Sex and Relationship Education).  An LGBTQ+ award is also coming.

Partnerships and useful website links

Our partnerships are continuing to grow and flourish.  These partnerships include:

	Derbyshire Children’s services - SRE and Drugs advisors	https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/children-and-families/children-and-family-services.aspx
	Derbyshire Education Business Partnership	https://www.debp.org/
	D2N2	https://d2n2lep.org/
	School Nurses	https://www.nhs.uk/
	School  nurses text message service- Chat health	https://www.derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk/about-us/latest-news/text-messaging-advice-service-launched-derbys-young-people-and-parents
	Glossop Business Network	https://www.glossopbusinessnetwork.co.uk/
	Speakers for schools	https://www.speakersforschools.org/
	Kooth	https://www.kooth.com/
	BBC Bitesize	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
	Young Minds	https://www.youngminds.org.uk/?acceptcookies=
	Bright Futures	https://brightfutures-experience.com/
	Barclays Life skills	https://barclayslifeskills.com/
	Crossroads Derbyshire	http://www.crossroadsderbyshire.org/
	GM Higher	https://gmhigher.ac.uk/
	The Careers and Enterprise Company	https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/
	PSHE Association	https://pshe-association.org.uk/
	Drug Sense UK	https://www.drugsenseuk.co.uk/home.php
	Outspoken Sex Ed	https://www.outspokeneducation.com/ages-11-to-16
	A Parents’ Guide to Relationships and Sex Education	https://www.theparentsguideto.co.uk/post/relationships-and-sex-education-what-does-this-mean-for-my-teen-and-how-can-i-help-as-a-parent
	Mindmate	https://www.mindmate.org.uk/so-your-child-is-starting-high-school/
	Childline	https://www.childline.org.uk/

 

We also have support from guest speakers including:

Sheffield University

Hazel Chaisty (GB Paralypian)

Debbie Lees

Derbyshire Constabulary

North West Ambulance Service

Derbyshire Fire Service

Army

The Director of Personal Development reports regularly to the School Leadership Team and Governors.  Feedback is gained from the students through evaluation sheets (via Google Forms), Student Council and the Student Leaders.  Quality Assurance is ascertained through regular learning walks during Tutor Period and Staff Consultation.  Students have PD Exercise books which will also feed into the monitoring, reviewing and evaluation process.

Parents can contact the school for advice via the Lead of Personal Development in school using the following methods:

Ms S Kane Lead on Personal Development 

Email: info@glossopdaleschool.org.uk 

We have a strong Student Leadership Team at Glossopdale School and Sixth Form.  Students apply for and are appointed to assist in a range of whole school activities, both within the school and the wider community.

Head Students, Prefects, Student Leaders and Personal Development Ambassadors make up our Student Leadership Team.  They contribute to many activities, including morning line up, Student Council, library ambassadors, lunchtime duties, guides, charity events, assemblies and extra curricular clubs and ambassadors.

Aims of Student Leadership

• To enable students to take ownership of their education at Glossopdale School and Sixth Form

• To enable students feel a sense of pride in their achievements

• To develop and strengthen student engagement 

• To improve positive self-esteem

• To contribute to whole school improvement 

• To shape the leaders of the future

Roles in Student Leadership

Head Student

Year 11 and Post 16 students apply for and are appointed to the role of Head Student.  They work with the Director of Personal Development to run Student Council and have input into issues that affect a student’s experience at Glossopdale.  They are a member of the Prefect Team and run Student Council in the absence of the Student Leader. They report to SLT periodically where students’ observations and concerns are relayed.

Student Leadership Team

The Student Leadership Team consists of Head Students, the Student Leaders, PD Ambassadors and Prefects.  Students are trained in positive behaviour, communication with students and body language.  There are 20 students from KS4 on the team from year 10 and 11 and a further 5 from post 16.

The student leadership team work alongside the Head Students on projects with Student Council, Wellbeing Ambassadors, morning line up, buddy readers, lunchtime duties and assemblies, to name but a few.

Student Council

Students apply to be a member of the Student Council from all year groups.  This Council provides a means of student expression and gives students the opportunity, in all year groups, to experience leadership.

The Student Council aims to promote Education, Citizenship and Cultural values through a variety of activities.  They also provide a regular Student Voice and feedback to the Student Leadership Team.

Student Leadership Ladders

Student Leadership focusses on the elements of THRIVE as it allows students, through hard work and tenacity, to become independent individuals who can become responsible citizens, with a vision for excellence in their chosen future.

The leadership ladder can be started in Year 7 and completed throughout the following years.  Students work through each level and show evidence of: Hard Work and Responsibility for the Bronze award; Independence and Visionary for Silver and Excellence for Gold. 

Finally, tenacity is the pinnacle and earning this entitles students to full THRIVE leadership status. Students are able to display their achievements with pride.  For each award, they will earn a tie pin in the relevant colour.

Our student Mental Health Ambassadors scheme began in 2019 and has grown and developed since.  Students who have an interest in this area are trained to recognise other students who may be struggling with their mental health and/or wellbeing.  In doing so, they can direct them to the right person to support, or agencies and apps such as Kooth, Young Minds or CalmHarm.  They work proactively together and with designated staff members and are peer-led to ensure that Glossopdale School and Sixth Form is a place where social and emotional and mental health is given a priority.

There is a need for a planned programme of activities, learning and support to be delivered to young people to enable them to make decisions and plan their careers.   Careers education refers to a planned programme of activities within the curriculum that helps young people to gain knowledge and understanding, and develop the skills and confidence, to make successful choices, manage transitions in learning and move into work.   Information Advice and guidance (IAG) enables individuals to use the knowledge and skills developed through careers education to make the decisions about learning and work that are right for them.   Information about this can be found on our website at the following link: Careers information Advice and Guidance