Personal and Social Development

The intent of Personal and Social Development (PSD) at Egerton High School is to equip students with the emotional, social, and life skills needed to navigate the complexities of everyday life with confidence and resilience. PSD supports students in understanding themselves and others, managing emotions, forming positive relationships, and preparing for adulthood, including education, employment, and independent living. The subject is designed to foster self-awareness, empathy, and responsibility, while also promoting mental health and well-being in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Topics covered during PSD sessions focus on building basic, core social skills and an awareness of the world. With a holistic, relatable approach, students are imbued with the ability to communicate their emotions and opinions with confidence. A combination of group discussions, team activities, role playing and mindfulness activities follow termly themes and enable a broad range of differentiation to accommodate all levels of ability. Lessons have a fluid structure, which keeps students interested and enables us to adapt our programme to meet even the most specific needs.

Curriculum Structure

Key Themes Covered Across KS3 and KS4.

    • Recognising and managing emotions

    • Understanding mental health and strategies for support

    • Building resilience and coping mechanisms

    • Zones of Regulation and mindfulness approaches

    • Building healthy relationships and communication skills

    • Conflict resolution and peer mediation

    • Understanding consent, boundaries, and respect

    • Anti-bullying and online safety

    • Personal identity and values

    • Respecting diversity and equality

    • Rights and responsibilities (legal, social, and digital)

    • Community involvement and volunteeringa

    • Physical health and self-care

    • Substance misuse awareness

    • Healthy relationships

    • Healthy lifestyle choices

    • Careers education and work-related learning

    • Money management and budgeting

    • Independent living skills

    • Planning for post-16 transitions

  • Trauma-Informed Practice: Lessons are adapted with an understanding of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and attachment needs.

    Restorative Practices: Encouraging students to take responsibility for actions and repair harm in relationships.

    Individualised Support: Differentiated content and delivery to meet the diverse emotional and cognitive needs of learners.

    Practical & Experiential Learning: Use of real-life scenarios, role-play, group discussion, and project-based work to deepen understanding.

  • Ongoing formative assessment through observation, student reflection, and discussion.

    Evidence collected via journals as well as practical task evaluations.

  • By the end of their PSD journey, students will:

    • Demonstrate improved emotional regulation and social interaction skills.

    • Show increased self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

    • Make informed, healthy, and safe choices in their personal lives.

    • Be better prepared for future education, employment, and independent living.

    • Contribute positively to their communities and relationships.