Personal and social development
PSD Curriculum Intent, Implementation and Impact – 2024 – 2025
PSD Mission Statement
PSD fosters confidence and equips pupils with the skills to independently make safe, moral and ethical decisions – thus preparing pupils for the wider world beyond Holy Trinity Catholic School.
Vision and Intent
In Personal Social Development (PSD) we teach our pupils to be curious and active. Through PSD, pupils can gain a deeper knowledge on living in the wider world and are able to articulate their views on controversial issues in an eloquent manner. We teach that all opinions are to be respected, in line with the Equality Act 2010, even if they differ from our own. PSD is a subject where pupils are given a platform to think critically, and listen to other people’s views, on topics where they may not have the opportunity to do so at home.
Through discussing these topics in a safe environment, alongside developing their Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills in lesson; we are giving pupils the tools to confidently engage in new and different content in other subjects, and outside their social bubble when they leave Holy Trinity Catholic School.
As a Catholic School we use Ten: Ten resources which are underpinned by Catholic Social Teachings and therefore these values are a golden thread which run throughout our PSD curriculum. This can be seen via yellow highlighting which links to the schools Catholic Social Teaching foci for this academic year.
Implementation – Delivery of PSD
In PSD at Key Stage 3 we aim to:
- Build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values pupils have acquired and developed during the primary phase.
- Address the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence.
- Teach the knowledge and skills based on the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life.
- Pupils will learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media through age appropriate resources and discussion.
PSHE Association (2020). Programme of Study for PSHE Education Key Stages 1-5. Available at: PSHE Association Programme of Study for PSHE Education (Key stages 1–5), Jan 2020_1.pdf (pshe-association.org.uk) (Accessed: 30/07/2021)
In PSD at Key Stage 4 we aim to:
- Deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during Key Stage 3.
- Reflect on the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.
- Use age appropriate material that will prepare pupils for the next stage in their life journey.
PSHE Association (2020). Programme of Study for PSHE Education Key Stages 1-5. Available at: PSHE Association Programme of Study for PSHE Education (Key stages 1–5), Jan 2020_1.pdf (pshe-association.org.uk) (Accessed: 30/07/2021)
Impact – End result
Throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils will be developing the following Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills:
- Reflective learning
- Independent Enquiring
- Team working
- Self-managing
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
These skills are recognised as attributes which employers look for in employees and thus by exploring these skills in lessons, they are preparing pupils for any profession or further education beyond Holy Trinity Catholic School.
The impact of PSD is that pupils will develop their curiosity by being exposed to different views on living in the wider world, health and well-being and relationship topics – as divided by the PSHE Association. From this, pupils are able to critically analyse different views, confront stigmas, challenge preconceived ideas and independently research different and new concepts to become more informed on their reasons behind their view.
With the golden thread of Catholic Social Teaching, pupils will be able to show compassion towards others and know the importance of their self-worth and dignity. As a result, pupils will be more aware of the consequences of worldwide issues such as county lines, body image and online radicalisation. A way of measuring this impact can be through BromCom and pastoral logs on these issues.
Throughout PSD there is a key focus on Language for Learning through oracy. We encourage pupils to use standard English and academic code when verbally delivering their opinion, so they have the confidence to actively make a change outside the classroom from a local, national or global level. Ultimately PSD is inspiring pupils to actively make a change within society.
