When we return in the New Year, pupils will be beginning new units in their wellbeing lessons. Below is an overview of what each year group will be exploring, so you are aware of the topics and conversations taking place in class.

First Form – Health and Puberty

We will be learning about healthy routines, how the body changes during puberty and personal safety. This unit will include discussions around:

• Healthy lifestyle choices including diet, dental health, physical activity and sleep
• Managing influences relating to caffeine, smoking and alcohol
• The physical and emotional changes of puberty
• The importance of personal hygiene
• How to recognise and respond to inappropriate or unwanted contact
• FGM (female genital mutilation) and how to access help and support

Second Form – Identity and Relationships

This half term focuses on building respectful, healthy relationships and understanding identity. We will cover:

• Qualities of positive, healthy relationships
• How to demonstrate positive behaviours in relationships
• Gender identity and sexual orientation
• Forming new partnerships and developing relationships
• The law relating to consent
• The legal and moral duty of the seeker of consent
• How to communicate safely and confidently about consent
• Understanding the risks of sexting, responding to pressure and managing image requests
• An introduction to contraception

Third Form – Peer Influence, Substance Use and Gangs

Pupils will explore social influence, decision making and how to stay safe. Lessons will include:

• Distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy friendships
• Assessing risk and managing influences, including online
• Understanding group think and its effect on behaviour
• Recognising passive, aggressive and assertive behaviours and communicating assertively
• Managing risk related to gang involvement
• Legal and physical risks of carrying a knife
• Positive social norms surrounding drug and alcohol use
• The legal and health risks linked to drug and alcohol use, including addiction and dependence

Fourth Form – Healthy Relationships

These less will focus on relationships, expectations, media influence and consent. Pupils will learn:

• Relationship values and the role of pleasure in relationships
• About myths, assumptions, misconceptions and social norms around sex, gender and relationships
• Opportunities and risks of forming relationships online
• Managing the impact of media and pornography on sexual attitudes and expectations
• Ethical and legal implications relating to consent, including manipulation, coercion and capacity to consent
• Recognising and responding to pressure, coercion and exploitation and how to seek help
• Identifying and challenging victim blaming
• Awareness of asexuality, abstinence and celibacy

Fifth Form – Families

We will explore the diversity of family life, key responsibilities and changes within relationships. Topics include:

• Different family types and changing family structures
• Evaluating readiness for parenthood and positive parenting qualities
• Fertility and how it varies and changes
• Pregnancy, birth and miscarriage
• Unplanned pregnancy options including abortion
• Adoption and fostering
• Managing change, loss, grief and bereavement
• Honour-based violence and forced marriage and how to access support safely
• Recognising different forms of relationship abuse

Sixth Form – Readiness for Work

Our senior pupils will focus on preparing for life after school, exploring:

• Career opportunities and the world of work
• Assessing personal strengths, skills and interests
• The role of AI in the future job market and critical thinking skills
• Being enterprising in life and work
• Writing an effective CV and preparing for part-time job interviews
• Global career opportunities
• Rights and responsibilities in full-time, part-time and gig economy employment
• Professional conduct, including health and safety
• Workplace confidentiality, cyber-security and data protection
• Responding to bullying and harassment in the workplace
• Strategies for overcoming challenge and adversity
• The role of trade unions and professional organisations

As we go into the Christmas break, the Wellbeing Hub (which parents have access to free of charge as part of the School subscription) have offered some helpful resources for pupils and parents.

Parent resources:

Materialism and wellbeing – The Wellbeing Hub Tips for your family’s first festive season without a loved one – The Wellbeing Hub

What do you do for Christmas: Multiculturalism and belonging – The Wellbeing Hub

Dr Tamara Scully’s top tips for managing sibling relationships – The Wellbeing Hub

Free and fun half-term activities for the whole family – The Wellbeing Hub

Transitioning or returning to school: A guide for parents and carers – The Wellbeing Hub

Pupil resources:

Winter mindfulness yoga and meditation – The Wellbeing Hub

Activities beyond tech – why unplugging is good for you – The Wellbeing Hub

Overcoming school anxiety – The Wellbeing Hub