"Mental health is a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community." - World Health Organisation

TAILORED. EVOLVING. EMPOWERING. INCLUSIVE. ESSENTIAL.


The St Mary’s Personal Development curriculum is tailored to the needs of our students, ensuring it meets the evolving demands of contemporary society. It aims to empower students to understand the modern world, their place within it, and to make positive, informed choices while safeguarding themselves and others. It is an inclusive curriculum that reflects the diversity of our world and covers the Protected Characteristics alongside our Fundamental British Values (these values are Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, Individual Liberty). The PD curriculum is therefore an essential feature of life in St Mary’s Calne.  

What does the Curriculum cover?
Our curriculum covers the following themes: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.
As part of these there are regular updates to the curriculum to ensure it reflects the latest societal changes, technological advancements, and global issues. We also focus on developing critical thinking, digital literacy, and adaptability to prepare students for future challenges. These skills also form our focus on personal safety, mental health and well-being, along with developing decision-making skills to guide pupils in making informed choices. 

How is PD taught?
Our curriculum is delivered through a protected 1 hour lesson a week for all year groups other than LVI who have a collapsed timetable on Saturday mornings. These lessons are diverse in their delivery and responsive to student questions and feedback. We supplement the course with cross-curricular links along with an excellent series of talks from guest speakers. The design and implementation of the Personal Development curriculum is overseen by the Head of PD, Tim Waldron and the KS3 Coordinator for PD, Hannah Willcox.

How is SMSC Development and Fundamental British Values taught at St Mary's?

The study of Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural (SMSC) development and Fundamental British Values occurs across all areas of our school ethos and curriculum. This is to ensure a Holistic Development of our students by fostering their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural growth. This prepares them to be well-rounded individuals who can contribute positively to society. In a wide range of activities, we promote Core Values including the Fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs, each of which are essential for creating a cohesive and inclusive society. These values build Respect and Tolerance which is vital in a diverse society and helps to combat prejudice and discrimination, alongside preparing them for life in modern Britain.

Overall, integrating SMSC and Fundamental British Values into our ethos and curriculum helps in nurturing well-informed, respectful, and responsible individuals who are prepared for life in a diverse and democratic society.

Please take a look at the wide range of activities and trips that explore these topics across all areas of the school. 

A summary of SMSC and FBV at St Mary's.


FAQs – these are a selection of responses from the Department for Education but also the PD department.
Q: What is RSE
A: Relationships and sex education (RSE) is a topic where you will learn about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, sexual identity and sexual health. It will help you with the information, skills and positive values involved in having safe, fulfilling relationships. RSE will help you to enjoy your sexuality and to take responsibility for your sexual health and wellbeing. For more details please do have a look at our RSE policy.


Q: Does the new Relationships Education and RSE curriculum take account of my faith?
A: The subjects are designed to help children from all backgrounds build positive and safe relationships, and to thrive in modern Britain.
In all schools, when teaching these subjects, the religious background of pupils must be taken into account when planning teaching, so that topics are appropriately handled. Schools with a religious character can build on the core required content by reflecting their beliefs in their teaching.
In developing these subjects, we have worked with a number of representative bodies and faith organisations, representing all the major faith groups in England. Several faith organisations produce teaching materials that schools can choose to use.

Q: Willl teaching about Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) encourage early sexual behaviour? 
A: RSE does not encourage early sexual experimentation. Young people who have received effective RSE are more likely to delay their first experience of sex and are less likely to engage in risky sexual practices. RSE teaches young people to understand human sexuality and to respect themselves and others. It enables young people to mature, build their confidence and self-esteem and understand the reasons for delaying sexual activity. The curriculum also enables young people to understand how the law applies to relationships. In particular, this includes understanding the age of consent and the nature of consent. It helps young people to understand their responsibilities within a relationship and how to recognise an abusive or exploitative relationship.

Q: Do I have a right to withdraw my child from Relationships and Sex Education?
A: Parents will continue to have a right to request to withdraw their child from sex education delivered as part of RSE in secondary schools which, unless there are exceptional circumstances, should be granted up to three terms before their child turns 16. At this point, if the child themselves wishes to receive sex education rather than be withdrawn, the school should make arrangements for this to happen in one of the three terms before the child turns 16 - the legal age of sexual consent. If a parent wishes to withdraw their child from Sex Education or would like to discuss the contents of the curriculum further, please contact the Deputy Head Pastoral (Sophie Toland - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) who will then discuss this with the Headteacher. Alternative work will be provided for those students who are withdrawn from Sex education.


There is no right to withdraw from Relationships Education at primary or secondary as we believe the contents of these subjects – such as family, friendship, safety (including online safety) – are important for all children to be taught. For more details please do have a look at our RSE policy.


Q: Will my child be taught about LGBTQIA+ relationships?
A: Pupils should be taught about the society in which they are growing up. These subjects are designed to foster respect for others and for difference, and educate pupils about healthy relationships.
Pupils should receive teaching on LGBT content during their school years. Teaching children about the society that we live in and the different types of loving, healthy relationships that exist can be done in a way that respects everyone. Primary schools are strongly encouraged and enabled to cover LGBT content when teaching about different types of families.
Secondary schools should cover LGBT content in their RSE teaching. RSE should meet the needs of all pupils, whatever their developing sexuality or identity – this should include age-appropriate teaching about different types of relationships in the context of the law.


Q:What are the key themes that will be taught in Health Education? 
A: Mental wellbeing Internet safety and harms Physical health and fitness Healthy eating Drugs, alcohol and tobacco Health and prevention Basic first aid Changing adolescent body


Q: Will family diversity be represented? 
A: Yes. Families, both in school and in the wider world, sometimes look different from a child’s own family. Pupils will be taught that British society values diversity and that all families deserve respect. Families are characterised by love and care, even though this may be expressed through different traditions and values. In schools, learning about families must be inclusive. The Relationships Education curriculum must allow every child the right to see their family represented and all pupils must be confident and safe to speak about who they live with and who cares for them.

Our Scheme of Learning for Personal Development

Sixth Form Scheme of Learning

LVI – Collapsed timetable for Personal Development and The Futures Programme on Saturday mornings. 

We are lucky to have the valuable resource of generous time dedicated to a core ‘Futures’ programme for LVI. The programme aims to equip pupils with the skills and information to succeed academically and personally during their time in the Sixth Form and beyond  

 These sessions cover various areas including: 

  • Careers and enterprise 

  • Life skills such as self defence and first aid 

    • Introduction to DIY 

    • Study skills and EPQ. 

    • Personal Development and RSE 

     

    RSE in LVI covers the following topics: 

    • Personal safety, consent and identifying risk when going out or attending parties/festivals (in relation to sexual assault). 

    • Awareness of risks such as spiking (types of drugs used in drink spiking, including warning signs/symptoms and methods of reducing risk)  

    • Contraception and STIs. 



    UVI – During UVI, all students have a timetabled PD lesson each week.

    Useful website links:

    DfE Guidance
    Teen Tips - https://teentips.co.uk/ 
    Action on Smoking & Health www.ash.org.uk
    Smoke Free Teens www.teen.smokefree.gov
    Talk to Frank Vaping section - Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
    YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
    Unifrog - The universal destinations platform.