Personal Development

At Astley Cooper, we have student personal development embedded throughout the curriculum. It is a central focus point in line with our three core values: Responsibility, Respect and Resilience. Personal Development is much more than the timetabled lessons our students enjoy. It is a whole school experience ranging from the form time activities, awareness and culture days to the school trips, workshops and guest speakers.

We have combined PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) and RSE topics to create an engaging programme delivered in our Personal Development lessons. These lessons are designed to:

Deliver the statutory content within Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)
Develop students' understanding and analytical skills in order to be healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution to their community and country and maintain emotional well-being
Promote young people’s well-being (physical and mental health, emotional, social and economic, education, training and recreation and protection from harm and neglect)
Develop the student’s core skills such as communication, leadership, team work, metacognition and analysis, exploring other cultures and beliefs
Educate our young people around mental health and support them in building resilience, developing their ability to manage their emotions

The Astley Cooper school believes that relationship and sex and health education is an educational entitlement for all pupils and an integral part of each pupil’s emergence into adulthood. RSHE provides knowledge, and encourages the acquisition of skills and attitudes that will allow pupils to manage their lives in a responsible and healthy way. RSHE is provided with due regard to the importance and value of family life, and within the framework of spiritual, moral, social, cultural and physical development.

Why Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) Matters

At our school, we believe that Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is an important part of preparing children for life. It’s not just about learning facts—it’s about helping them grow into confident, respectful, and responsible individuals.

The aim of RSE is to enable pupils to make informed decisions about personal relationships from a basis of knowledge and a recognition of their responsibilities. RSE is a crucial part of preparing our pupils for their lives now and in the future as adults and parents; it calls for careful and sensitive treatment. Parents are key figures in helping their children cope with the physical and emotional aspects of growing up. Our teaching should be complementary and supportive of the role of the parents of our pupils.

What is RSE?

RSE teaches young people:

How to build healthy, positive relationships with friends, family, and others
About respect, consent, and kindness—both online and offline
The changes that happen during growing up and puberty, so they feel prepared and supported
How to make safe, informed choices about their health and wellbeing

What does age-appropriate mean?

Statutory Guidance gives content for primary and secondary, but not by key stage or year.

This is because the ‘age and developmentally appropriate’ judgement will vary by school and context
The use of the PSHE Association Programme of Study is supportive of guidance towards age-appropriate delivery
This means that we consider the guidance and teach topics that we believe, through our experience with our students, is appropriate for them
In addition, the parent/carer voice will offer an opportunity to agree or disagree with our topic delivery

Why is it important?

Keeps children safe by teaching them about boundaries and how to seek help
Promotes respect and equality, helping to reduce bullying and discrimination
Supports emotional wellbeing, building confidence and resilience
Prepares them for the future, giving them skills for adult life and healthy relationships

What does LGBT inclusive mean?

The Equality Act (2010) requires schools to prevent discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relation between different groups. The protected characteristics that apply to our students are disability, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Our Approach

Lessons are age-appropriate and follow national guidance
Children are encouraged to ask questions in a safe, respectful environment
The lessons will be delivered in Year 7 through to Year 13 once a fortnight. They will be accompanied by several awareness days, form-time activities and whole school events, including workshops to raise awareness around important topics such as mental health and maintaining healthy relationships
All students will develop key transferable skills, including literacy, numeracy and creativity

If we are successful, our students will be:

Aware of their own capability with a high self-esteem, allowing them to be able to develop and live a happy life
Confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society
Independent thinkers able to formulate their own personal opinions and able to participate in activities in school and the local community
Be tolerant and accepting individuals who appreciate Britain’s diversity, learning empathy and the importance of inclusivity

Can I withdraw my child from RSE lessons?

Parents will not be able to withdraw their child from any aspect of Relationships Education or Health Education
Parents can request withdrawal from sex education that is taught as part of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in secondary school. This does not include topics covered as part of the Science curriculum
This right applies up until three terms before the child turns 16. After that point, if the young person chooses to receive sex education, the school must provide it, even if parents disagree.

Where students are withdrawn from sex education, schools should document the process and will have to ‘ensure that the student receives appropriate, purposeful education during the period of withdrawal.’

Please see below a withdrawal form for you to fill in and return to admin@astleycooper.herts.sch.uk