Personal Development at Queensmead School
At Queensmead School, our Personal Development programme helps students build the knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive both in and beyond school.
We aim for every student to become a confident, responsible and respectful young person who is prepared for life after school and able to make a positive contribution to society.
Our curriculum follows all statutory guidance for Relationships, Sex and Health Education and Careers Education. It also promotes British Values, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, and the Queensmead Values.
Students have a one hour lesson every two weeks for Personal Development. Lessons cover a wide range of topics.
Learning is enhanced by guest speakers, workshops, drop-down days, themed weeks and assemblies, which connect topics to real-life situations and current issues, and are reinforced through strong cross-curricular links in other subjects.
PD Programme
Life Skills in Form Time
Alongside timetabled Personal Development lessons, students take part in a Life Skills programme during form time. This runs on a carousel, allowing students to explore a different focus each half term. The Life Skills curriculum provides regular opportunities for reflection, discussion, and practical learning that supports personal growth, wellbeing and citizenship.
The carousel covers the following themes across the year:
- Queensmead Values – exploring what our values mean in everyday life and how to demonstrate them in school and the community
- Wider Curriculum – celebrating enrichment opportunities, extracurricular learning and cultural experiences
- Citizenship – understanding rights, responsibilities and how to participate positively in society (revisited throughout the year)
- Mastering Learning – developing the habits and mindset that underpin academic and personal success
- Financial Literacy – learning how to manage money, budgeting and planning for the future
Mastering Learning
The Mastering Learning strand supports students in becoming motivated, organised and reflective learners. It provides structured, age-appropriate guidance each year, helping students to build independence, resilience and strong learning habits as they move through the school.
Assemblies
Assemblies play a key role in our Personal Development provision. Delivered by staff, students and external visitors, assemblies reinforce important themes linked to RSHE, British Values, cultural awareness and current issues. They celebrate student achievements, promote inclusion, and encourage reflection on moral, social and personal growth.
Enrichment and Guest Speakers
Our Personal Development curriculum is supported by a wide range of visitors and external organisations who make learning engaging and memorable. These include but are not limited to:
- Talk Consent – consent, sexual violence, and active bystander programmes
- Mind of the Student – mental health and motivation
- Gambling Harm UK – understanding and preventing gambling addiction
- Riot Act – driver and passenger safety awareness
- Your Life You Choose – citizenship and responsible decision-making
- Daniel Spargo Mabbs Foundation – drug awareness and life choices
- SORTED – young people and party drugs
- Department of Work and Pensions – CV Writing and Interview Skills Workshop – preparing students for work experience, post-16 pathways, and practical employability skills
- Talk the Talk – interactive workshops that develop oracy, communication, presentation and discussion skills, helping students articulate ideas confidently, participate in debates, and build public speaking confidence
- Migrant Leaders – celebrating diversity, leadership, and community engagement
- AIM London – apprenticeships and vocational pathways
- Futures for All Assembly – careers inspiration and exploring opportunities for all students
- Hillingdon Hospital education team – first aid, CPR, choking, wounds, hygiene
Our Vision
Through Personal Development, Life Skills and Assemblies, Queensmead students learn to:
- Respect and value themselves and others
- Build positive and healthy relationships
- Make informed and safe choices about health and wellbeing
- Understand diversity, equality and responsibility
- Prepare confidently for the future in education, employment and adult life