Pastoral

Year 7 Topic Overview

As the first year at Tiffin school, this programme is designed to help students transition smoothly from primary school, focusing on self-care, building new friendships, and staying safe as they gain independence.

In the Autumn Term, the focus is on Self-Care and Belonging. Students learn the basics of “21st Century Life,” including how to build healthy friendships and handle peer pressure. There is a strong emphasis on well-being, covering the importance of sleep, nutrition, and personal hygiene. Students also learn “survival skills” for a busy grammar school, such as time management, building resilience, and coping with academic pressure, alongside sensitive topics like handling loss.

In the Spring Term, the focus shifts to Identity and Independence. As students start to travel further and do more on their own, they learn about road safety and “e-safety,” including the long-term impact of their digital footprint. The lessons tackle social boundaries — distinguishing between “banter” and bullying — and explore modern habits like gaming. The term concludes with important lessons on consent, British values, and first aid, ensuring students are both socially responsible and physically prepared for emergencies.

Autumn Term

In the Autumn Term, Year 7 pupils will follow a personal development and wellbeing programme designed to support a successful transition into secondary school and promote healthy habits, resilience, and positive relationships. The lessons focus on building strong social and emotional foundations while encouraging self-awareness and responsible decision-making.

Pupils will explore the nature of friendship and positive relationships, including how to recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviours, manage peer pressure, and respond appropriately to bullying. They will develop skills in self-esteem and resilience, learning practical strategies to cope with challenges, pressure, and setbacks both in and out of school.

The programme also introduces key aspects of mental health and emotional wellbeing, helping pupils understand what mental health is, how to maintain it, and how to support others — particularly in situations involving loss or grief. Students will learn coping techniques such as relaxation methods and healthy sleep routines.

Alongside emotional wellbeing, lessons will cover physical health and lifestyle habits, including nutrition and personal hygiene, reinforcing the link between daily habits and overall wellbeing. Pupils will also be taught time management skills to help them organise homework, activities, and responsibilities effectively.

Overall, the Autumn Term curriculum aims to equip Year 7 pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to manage change, maintain wellbeing, and build positive relationships within the school community.

Spring Term

In the Spring Term, Year 7 pupils will continue their personal development programme with a focus on identity, responsibility, safety, and balanced lifestyles as they grow in independence. The curriculum is designed to help students better understand themselves and others while developing practical life skills and sound judgement in both real-world and digital environments.

Pupils will explore identity and culture, encouraging respect for diversity and an understanding of British values, inclusion, and acceptance. They will examine how personal identity develops and how culture, community, and shared values shape society.

A strong emphasis is placed on personal safety and independence, including road safety and the first steps toward managing situations independently. Students will receive basic first aid training across two units, equipping them with essential emergency response knowledge and confidence to act appropriately in simple medical situations.

The term also develops awareness of healthy lifestyle choices, including balancing school demands with personal time, hobbies, and rest. Pupils will consider whether there can be unhealthy levels of gaming and screen use, learning how to maintain moderation and wellbeing.

Digital awareness is a key theme, with lessons on e-safety and digital footprints, helping pupils understand their long-term online presence and how to behave responsibly online. This is reinforced through follow-up sessions and discussions about online behaviour and consequences. Related to this, pupils will explore the difference between banter and bullying, learning how intent, impact, and context affect relationships.

Finally, students are introduced to the concept of consent, focusing on boundaries, respect, and personal choice in age-appropriate contexts.

Overall, the Spring Term builds awareness, responsibility, and practical skills to support safe, respectful, and balanced participation in school life and the wider community.

Year 8 Topic Overview

The Year 8 curriculum is designed to help students build personal resilience and awareness. It focuses on helping boys understand their own strengths while learning how to navigate the risks they may face as they grow more independent, both online and in their local communities.

In the Autumn Term, the focus is on Self-Improvement and the Digital World. Students identify their personal strengths and learn how to communicate effectively. They are encouraged to be ambitious and set high goals for themselves. A major part of the term is dedicated to “Digital Resilience,” teaching boys how to be responsible online and how to use healthy coping strategies to manage their mental health in a high-pressure world.

In the Spring Term, the focus shifts to Personal Safety and Social Risks. Students are introduced to the facts about alcohol, smoking, vaping, and drugs to help them make informed choices. They also explore deeper social issues, such as the dangers of gang crime and “grooming.” Importantly, the term looks at Gender and Masculinity, helping boys think about what it means to be a man today and how to avoid harmful stereotypes.

Autumn Term

In the Autumn Term, Year 8 pupils will take part in a personal development programme focused on building confidence, responsibility, and effective interaction with others. Lessons help pupils identify their personal strengths and understand how ambition and goal-setting can support future success. They will develop communication skills, learning how to express themselves clearly, listen effectively, and work positively with others.

The curriculum also explores discrimination and fairness, encouraging respect, inclusion, and awareness of the impact of words and actions. Pupils will strengthen their digital resilience and online responsibility, learning how to manage online challenges and behave safely and appropriately in digital spaces. Alongside this, students will learn mental health coping strategies, equipping them with practical tools to manage stress and maintain emotional wellbeing.

Overall, the Autumn Term programme supports Year 8 pupils in developing self-awareness, ambition, resilience, and respectful engagement both in school and online.

Spring Term

In the Spring Term, Year 8 pupils follow a personal safety and wellbeing programme that focuses on risk awareness, healthy choices, and respectful understanding of identity. Lessons introduce the facts and risks associated with alcohol, drugs, smoking, and vaping, helping pupils understand their effects on health, decision-making, and the law.

Students will also explore topics around gender and masculinity, encouraging thoughtful discussion about stereotypes, expectations, and positive role models. Safeguarding is a key theme, with learning about grooming and exploitation, how to recognise warning signs, and how to seek help. The curriculum also raises awareness of gang crime and related pressures, equipping pupils with knowledge and strategies to stay safe and make informed choices.

Overall, the Spring Term programme aims to build awareness, critical thinking, and resilience so pupils can navigate social pressures and risks with confidence and responsibility.

Summer Term

In the Summer Term, Year 8 pupils will deepen their understanding of healthy and unhealthy relationships, with a focus on safety, respect, and responsible decision-making. The curriculum encourages students to reflect on the influence of media, online behaviour, and peer relationships on attitudes and choices.

Pupils will explore topics including healthy relationships, consent, safer online relationships, and the impact of sexualised media. They will also develop awareness of sexual harassment, harmful sexual behaviour, the sharing of nudes, and gender-based violence, including how to seek support and respond safely to concerns.

Through discussion and reflection, students will build confidence, empathy, and critical thinking skills to help them develop respectful relationships and make informed, responsible choices both online and offline.

Year 9 Topic Overview

This curriculum is designed to help Year 9 boys navigate the transition into young adulthood with confidence, safety, and respect.

In the Autumn Term, the focus is on Personal Identity and Media. Students learn to think critically about the world around them — from spotting “fake news” and the influence of advertising to understanding the reality of relationships versus what is seen in pornography. They develop essential “people skills” like assertiveness, conflict resolution, and understanding the stages of grief. This term also covers physical safety through self-defense and clinical guidance on contraception and sexual health.

In the Spring Term, the focus shifts to Independence and Responsibility. Students gain practical life-saving skills, including CPR and first aid for alcohol-related emergencies. They explore the legal and health risks of vaping, cannabis, and drug use, while learning to identify “the grooming line” and understand the laws surrounding sex. The term also prepares them for the future by introducing financial basics like mortgages, travel safety for going abroad, and the importance of standing up against discrimination and supporting the rights and safety of women.

Autumn Term

The Autumn term lessons start by looking at personal safety and social skills, teaching students how to stand up for themselves through self-defense and assertiveness while resisting negative peer pressure. The curriculum then moves into modern challenges, helping boys spot “fake news” and understand how advertising and pornography can distort their view of real life. Finally, the course focuses on maturity and health, covering serious topics like healthy relationships, contraception, and how to cope with grief. By the end of the term, students will have a better understanding of how to look after themselves, respect others, and play a helpful role in their local community.

Spring Term

This term focuses on giving students the tools they need to stay safe and make smart decisions as they gain more independence. The lessons cover emergency skills, such as CPR and first aid for alcohol-related incidents, alongside a realistic look at the risks of vaping, cannabis, and other drugs. Students will also learn about the legal side of relationships and how to spot “the grooming line” to protect themselves and others from exploitation. Finally, the course prepares them for adulthood by exploring financial basics like mortgages, the importance of standing up against discrimination, and understanding the experiences and rights of women in society. By combining “hard” skills (like First Aid and Finance) with “soft” skills (like managing stress and fighting discrimination), the Spring term helps Year 9 boys transition from thinking only about themselves to understanding their impact on the wider world

Summer Term

In the Summer Term, Year 9 pupils will further develop their understanding of healthy relationships, consent, and online safety, with a focus on respectful behaviour, informed decision-making, and recognising potential harms. The curriculum encourages students to think critically about relationships, media influences, and digital behaviour in both online and offline contexts.

Pupils will revisit the concept of consent, including freedom, capacity, and avoiding assumptions, while also exploring relationship values, contraception, sexual health, and managing the ending of relationships in age-appropriate contexts.

The programme also examines online harms, including the sharing of nudes, deepfake AI images, and misogynistic narratives. Students will consider the motivations, consequences, and risks linked to harmful online behaviour, while developing strategies to respond safely, critically, and responsibly.

Through discussion and reflection, pupils will build confidence, empathy, and critical thinking skills to support healthy relationships, respectful communication, and safe decision-making in an increasingly digital world.

Year 10 Topic Overview

For Year 10, the curriculum matures significantly. This year is about personal responsibility, critical social awareness, and preparation for adult life. It tackles heavy topics with a focus on empathy and practical survival.

The Year 10 curriculum is designed to help students transition from younger teenagers into socially conscious young adults. It focuses on the complex realities of modern society, physical health, and the practicalities of running a household.

In the Autumn Term, the focus is on Social Perspective and Mental Health. Students explore deep ethical issues like stereotyping, victim-blaming, and the “Woman’s Viewpoint” to build empathy. The curriculum addresses serious mental health challenges — including eating disorders, self-harm, and anxiety — providing students with the vocabulary to seek help. This is balanced with practical health (testicular health) and a look at the digital world, focusing on bias and the toxicity of online trolling.

In the Spring Term, the focus shifts to Legal Rights and Independent Living. Students learn the “hard facts” of adulthood: how to manage a household budget, pay bills, and understand taxation. The lessons cover the legal consequences of drug use and the mechanics of British democracy. There is also a strong emphasis on healthy masculinity and safety, covering peer-on-peer abuse, managing the pain of relationship breakups, and understanding the dangers of gambling.

Autumn Term

In the Autumn term, Year 10 boys focus on becoming more aware of the world around them. The lessons start by looking at how we treat others, covering the importance of being fair and avoiding stereotypes or blaming victims. Students also look at their role as consumers, learning how to live more sustainably and protect the environment.

A major part of the term is dedicated to digital life and mental health. Students learn how to spot fake news, bias, and online trolls so they aren’t easily fooled or upset by what they see on social media. They also tackle very serious health topics that are often hard for boys to talk about, such as testicular health, vaping, anxiety, and eating disorders. The course provides clear information on self-harm and suicide, making sure every student knows how to spot the warning signs and where to go for help.

Finally, the term focuses on building healthy, respectful relationships. The boys spend time looking at things from a woman’s perspective to build empathy and better understand the world. They also study the legal and personal sides of sexual consent and what it means to be in a respectful relationship. Because Year 10 can be a high-pressure time, the term also teaches them how to deal with change and stay calm when life gets stressful.

Spring Term

In the Spring term, the focus for Year 10 moves toward independence and the “real world.” The lessons are designed to prepare students for the practicalities of adult life while keeping them safe from more serious social risks.

The term begins with a look at life skills and money. Students learn about the “boring but important” parts of growing up, such as taxation and how to manage a household. This includes a practical look at paying bills, which helps them understand the true cost of living. Alongside this, they study British Citizenship and Democracy, giving them a beginner’s guide to how the government works and how they can play a part in their community.

The curriculum also tackles safety and the law. Students learn about different drug types and hear directly about the law and the police, so they understand the legal consequences of certain choices. They also look at the risks of gambling, which is an increasing issue for young men online. To help them navigate social life, the lessons cover how to handle relationship conflict and breakups in a healthy way, as well as how to recognize and stop peer-on-peer abuse.

Finally, the term addresses mental health and social duty. Students spend time understanding depression, learning that it is a medical condition and not just “feeling sad.” They end the term by looking at social responsibility, which encourages them to think about how they can give back and be a positive influence in their local area.

Summer Term

In the Summer Term, Year 10 pupils will further develop their understanding of healthy relationships, consent, personal safety, and future pathways. The curriculum encourages students to think critically about relationships, personal choices, and preparation for adult life, study, and careers.

Pupils will explore topics linked to consent and healthy relationships, including intimacy, the impact of pornography, pressure, persuasion, coercion, and recognising abusive behaviours. Students will also develop awareness of serious safeguarding issues, including forced marriage and FGM, while learning about relationship rights and how to seek support or report concerns safely.

Alongside this, the programme supports students in preparing for future study and employment. Pupils will explore career preferences, pathways, work experience, and how to make positive impressions in professional settings. They will also develop skills linked to applications, preparation for work experience, and reflecting on future goals.

Through discussion and reflection, students will build confidence, resilience, and informed decision-making skills to support healthy relationships, personal safety, and successful preparation for adult life.

Year 11 Topic Overview

The Year 11 curriculum is designed to prepare students for the responsibilities of adulthood. It bridges the gap between being a teenager and becoming an independent citizen, focusing on the heavy-duty topics of family, personal safety, and global awareness.

In the Autumn Term, the focus is on Commitment and Protection. Students explore the emotional and legal aspects of long-term relationships and “Radicalisation,” learning how to stay safe from extremist influences. Financial literacy continues to be a priority, alongside a mature look at mental health — moving beyond just “coping” to recognising clinical ill-health and knowing how to access professional medical support. The term also covers the biological and life-changing realities of fertility, pregnancy, and the responsibilities of parenting.

In the Spring Term, the focus shifts to Intimacy, Health, and Emergency Response. Students undergo advanced First Aid training to ensure they are confident first-responders. The curriculum tackles the “The Sex Debate” and the influence of pornography on modern intimacy, while providing a follow-up on the legal and health risks of drug use. To foster a well-rounded and respectful perspective, the term includes specific education on menstruation and female reproductive health, ensuring young men are informed and empathetic partners and colleagues.

Autumn Term

In the Autumn term, Year 10 boys focus on becoming more mature and aware of the world around them. The lessons start by looking at how we treat others, covering the importance of being fair and avoiding stereotypes or blaming victims. Students also look at their role as consumers, learning how to live more sustainably and protect the environment.

A major part of the term is dedicated to digital life and mental health. Students learn how to spot fake news, bias, and online trolls so they aren’t easily fooled or upset by what they see on social media. They also tackle very serious health topics that are often hard for boys to talk about, such as testicular health, vaping, anxiety, and eating disorders. The course provides clear information on self-harm and suicide, making sure every student knows how to spot the warning signs and where to go for help.

Finally, the term focuses on building healthy, respectful relationships. The boys spend time looking at things from a woman’s perspective to build empathy and better understand the world. They also study the legal and personal sides of sexual consent and what it means to be in a respectful relationship. Because Year 10 can be a high-pressure time, the term also teaches them how to deal with change and stay calm when life gets stressful.

Spring Term

During the spring term, students will build on their learning, with topics such as first Aid, where students will further develop practical skills and confidence in responding to emergency situations. The curriculum also explores healthy relationships, including discussions around sex and the influence of pornography, helping students to think critically and make informed, responsible choices. Learning on drugs is revisited to reinforce understanding of risks and support positive decision-making. Students will also take part in “The Sex Debate”, encouraging respectful discussion and consideration of different viewpoints. In addition, students will receive education on menstruation, which may be delivered through a rotation lesson to ensure all pupils can access this content in a supportive and inclusive environment.