Personal Development – PSHRE

Drop Down Day Overview

 

At The Raise Academy, Personal Development is primarily delivered through a half-termly ‘drop-down day’ model. This approach suits the needs of our SEMH learners by reducing cognitive overload, providing clear structure, and creating space for targeted, immersive learning experiences.

These days allow staff to plan safe, emotionally-regulated environments where sensitive topics can be explored at the right pace for each pupil, with opportunities for therapeutic support, reflection, and recovery time built in.

In addition to our drop-down days, all KS3 pupils have two weekly intervention lessons with a member of the pastoral team, while KS4 pupils have one weekly intervention lesson. These sessions are delivered in small groups and are highly flexible, allowing staff to respond to the current emotional, behavioural and social needs of each pupil.

This targeted intervention complements the Personal Development (PSHRE) curriculum by reinforcing key themes such as relationships, emotional regulation, self-esteem, personal safety and mental health, and ensures a joined-up, trauma-informed approach to personal development across the academy.

Religious Education at The Raise Academy

Religious Education is delivered through our intervention-based curriculum and wider learning opportunities across the school. Learning is carefully adapted to meet the needs of our SEMH learners and focuses on themes such as identity, belonging, values, respect, community and personal meaning.

In line with the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus 2026, pupils explore Christianity as the principal tradition alongside other major world faiths and non-religious worldviews. These themes are developed through curriculum links and everyday school experiences, supporting pupils to build understanding, tolerance and respect for others in modern Britain.

Religious Education contributes to pupils’ personal development and is not taught as a standalone subject in a traditional format.

Parents retain the legal right to withdraw their child from Religious Education

Additional Support

 

If your child needs extra support following on from anything they do in their Personal Development lessons they are encouraged to speak with staff. If they come home and want to discuss anything with parents/carers or need additional support from home please find some useful websites/organisations below:

Useful websites for curriculum resources & young people

www.talktofrank.com

www.childline.org.uk

www.brook.org.uk

www.youngminds.org.uk

www.themix.org.uk

www.kooth.com

www.thinkuknow.co.uk

www.nspcc.org.uk

https://riseabove.org.uk

https://www.pshre.org.uk

HEALTH INFORMATION WEBSITES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE:

www.teenagehealthfreak.org

www.brook.org.uk

www.teenagehealthfreak.org
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.kooth.com

www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind
www.minded.org.uk

USEFUL ORGANISATIONS:

Avert

International charity providing information on HIV/AIDS. Its website includes sections aimed specifically at young people.

www.avert.org.uk

 Brook

Confidential sexual health advice and contraception for young people up to 25

www.brook.org.uk

 Centre for HIV and Sexual Health

The centre provides a variety of resources, including booklets for parents/carers on talking and listening to their children.

www.nhs.uk

Childline

Helpline for children and young people in danger or distress.  Telephone counselling for any child with any problem.  24 hour support, advice and referrals.

www.childline.org.uk

Contact a Family

Provides support, advice and information to families across the UK.

with a disabled child www.cafamily.org.uk

Department of Health

Health information for practitioners and websites for young people

www.dh.gov.uk

www.need2know.gov.uk

FPA (formerly Family Planning Association)

Provides resources and training for SRE

www.fpa.org.uk

Family Lives

A freephone helpline offering support and information to anyone parenting a child.  It also runs parenting courses.

www.familylives.org.uk

Sex Education Forum (SEF)

The SEF provides comprehensive information and support for SRE and a telephone information line. Its website offers a number of free resources and factsheets to download.

www.ncb.org.uk/sef

 Stonewall

Stonewall is an organisation which campaigns for equal rights for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. One campaign focuses on challenging homophobic bullying in schools.

www.stonewall.org.uk

Mermaids
Mermaids is a UK charity that supports children, young people (up to age 25), and their families who are transgender, non-binary, or gender-diverse. They offer confidential support, helpful resources, helpline services, and guidance for schools to help create inclusive environments. Their work promotes understanding and wellbeing for gender-diverse learners — especially important in SEMH settings.

www.mermaidsuk.org.uk

The Mix
The Mix is a free, confidential support service for young people under 25, offering help with mental health, relationships, work, school, and more. Whether it’s through phone, text, or online chat, The Mix provides expert advice and a safe space to talk—anytime you need it.

https://www.themix.org.uk/

SENDIASS

Parents of children with SEND or young people with SEND (age 16 to 25), can contact SENDIASS if they need information advice and support about their education. SENDIASS provide impartial and confidential information and support.

SENDIASS do not make decisions for parents or young people, – they give you the information you need to be able to make your own, informed decisions.

Halton SENDIASS

https://sendiasshalton.co.uk/

0151 511 7733

St Helens IASS

https://iass.sthelens.gov.uk/

01744 673428