Personal Development (PEAK)
Developing knowledge, skills and character for life beyond Birchwood
At Birchwood Community High School, Personal Development helps students to become healthy, safe, respectful and responsible members of society.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced around our core values of Aspiration, Knowledge and Kindness, developing the knowledge, skills and character students need to thrive both now and in the future.
Through Personal Development lessons, collective meetings, assemblies and wider opportunities, students explore their wellbeing, relationships, identity, the wider world and their future.
Our Personal Development Curriculum
Our curriculum is organised around three key themes, each linked to one of our core values.
KNOWLEDGE
Understanding Myself
Students develop knowledge and understanding of themselves, their wellbeing and their physical health.
Our curriculum includes:
- Wellbeing
- Healthy Choices
- My Body and Me
KINDNESS
Understanding Myself With Others
Students learn how to develop positive relationships, show empathy and respect, and understand healthy friendships and intimate relationships.
Our curriculum includes:
- Healthy Relationships
- Healthy Intimate Relationships
ASPIRATION
Understanding Myself Within The World
Students explore their identity, their place in society and the wider world, developing confidence and ambition for their future.
Our curriculum includes:
- Identity and Community
- Digital Lives
- Aspiration and Money
Our Personal Development curriculum is designed to develop progressively from Year 7 to Year 11. Students revisit important themes at an age-appropriate level, building their knowledge and understanding as they become more independent and prepare for life beyond school.
PEAK
PEAK is an important part of Personal Development at Birchwood Community High School.
Through our Personal Development programme, students are supported to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and character they need to make informed choices, build positive relationships and prepare for their future.
SMSC Development
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development is an important part of our wider Personal Development offer.
Students have opportunities to explore their values, beliefs, relationships with others and their place within the wider community and society.
Ready for Learning
Our Ready for Learning approach supports students in developing the behaviours, habits and attitudes that help them engage positively with learning and make the most of their time at Birchwood.
British Values
At Birchwood, students develop an understanding of the values that underpin life in modern Britain.
These include:
- Democracy
- The rule of law
- Individual liberty
- Mutual respect
- Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
British Values are reinforced through Personal Development, collective meetings, assemblies and wider school life.
Supporting your child’s personal development
Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting their child’s personal development, by helping to reinforce key values, knowledge, and skills that shape their wellbeing, relationships, and moral development.
Support at Home
- Talk regularly about topics covered in PSHE such as online safety, healthy relationships, resilience, and mental health.
- Create an open, non-judgmental space to promote trust.
- Model positive behaviours in relationships, finance, and wellbeing.
Stay informed about what your child is learning in PSHE. Take a look at our curriculum overview.
