Personal Development

At Howden, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a vital part of our curriculum and plays a key role in preparing students for life beyond school.

Our PSHE programme is designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills and relationships that enable young people to stay healthy, safe and ready for the challenges of modern life. Our ambition is clear: to equip every student with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills they need to live healthy, safe, productive and responsible lives.

Our Intent

Through personal development at Howden, we aim to:

Develop confident, resilient and independent young people
Support students in making informed and responsible decisions
Promote physical and mental wellbeing
Build positive relationships and respect for others
Prepare students for life in modern Britain, further education and employment

What Students Learn

Our personal development curriculum is structured around three core strands:

Health and Well-being	Relationships	Living in the Wider World
Students learn how to: Maintain physical and mental health Develop resilience and emotional wellbeing Understand healthy lifestyles and choices Recognise and manage risk	Students develop knowledge and understanding of: Positive relationships and respect Family and friendships Online safety and digital relationships Consent, boundaries and personal safety	Students explore: Careers and employability skills Financial education and economic awareness Rights, responsibilities and citizenship Diversity, equality and British values

Health and Well-being

Relationships

Living in the Wider World

Students learn how to:

Maintain physical and mental health
Develop resilience and emotional wellbeing
Understand healthy lifestyles and choices
Recognise and manage risk

Students develop knowledge and understanding of:

Positive relationships and respect
Family and friendships
Online safety and digital relationships
Consent, boundaries and personal safety

Students explore:

Careers and employability skills
Financial education and economic awareness
Rights, responsibilities and citizenship
Diversity, equality and British values

The Impact of Personal Development at Howden

Our personal development programme supports students to:

Stay safe and make informed choices
Develop confidence and resilience
Respect others and understand diversity
Prepare successfully for the next stage of their education or career

Students leave Howden as well-rounded individuals who are ready to contribute positively to society.

A Whole-School Commitment

Personal development at Howden is everyone’s responsibility. All staff contribute to reinforcing its values through daily interactions, modelling positive behaviours and supporting students’ development.

Through our comprehensive and carefully planned approach, personal development is not just a subject, it is a core part of how we develop the character, wellbeing and future success of every student.

At Howden, personal development ensures that students are not only successful learners, but also confident, responsible and prepared members of society.