July 2026

It has been another busy and successful term for Personal Development and Safeguarding at All Saints' Catholic High School. Throughout the term, students have participated in a wide range of activities, assemblies, visits and enrichment opportunities designed to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence, ensuring they are well-prepared for life both in and beyond school.

Our Personal Development curriculum continues to provide students with opportunities to develop their character, understand how to keep themselves and others safe, and prepare for future education and employment. Through PSHE lessons, assemblies, form time, careers education and enrichment activities, students have explored a range of important safeguarding themes and developed the knowledge and skills needed to make safe, informed and responsible choices.

Safeguarding Through the Curriculum

This term, students have continued to develop their understanding of key safeguarding issues through our PSHE curriculum.

Year 10 took part in a dedicated PSHE Day, where they explored healthy relationships, recognising the signs of unhealthy and abusive behaviours, and the influence of toxic online culture through workshops delivered by Lancashire County Council. Students also completed practical first aid training with their form tutors and took part in careers sessions led by Burnley College and Accrington and Rossendale College, focusing on interview techniques, post-16 pathways and future aspirations.

Across the school, students have also continued to explore a range of important safeguarding topics through PSHE lessons, including healthy relationships, online safety, and how to recognise risks, seek support and make informed decisions.

Assemblies

Assemblies have continued to reinforce important safeguarding messages throughout the term and complement the learning taking place in PSHE lessons.

As we approached the summer holidays, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service delivered assemblies to Year 9 and Year 10 students focusing on seasonal safety. Students learned about the dangers of open water, reservoirs and lakes, the importance of recognising water safety signs, the Float to Live campaign, and how to reduce the risk of wildfires during periods of hot weather.

Careers Education and Aspirations

Preparing students for their next steps remains a key priority within our Personal Development programme, with opportunities for students to engage with employers, colleges and industry professionals throughout the year.

Year 10 students successfully completed their Work Experience Week, gaining valuable first-hand experience of the workplace while developing confidence, communication, teamwork and employability skills. Students also visited Burnley College and Accrington and Rossendale College to explore post-16 pathways, college life and future opportunities.

Year 8 students benefited from two exciting enrichment opportunities. The CyberFirst trip introduced students to careers in cyber security and digital technology, while the Leaders of Industry event enabled them to meet employers from a range of sectors and gain a greater understanding of the skills, qualifications and personal qualities required for future careers.

These experiences support students in raising their aspirations, broadening their horizons and making informed choices about their future education and careers.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Congratulations to our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students, who successfully completed both their practice and qualifying expeditions this year and have now achieved their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Throughout the programme, students demonstrated resilience, teamwork, independence and determination while completing their volunteering, physical, skills and expedition sections. The award continues to provide an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build confidence, develop leadership skills and contribute positively to their communities.

Summer Safety

As the summer holidays approached, students completed dedicated form time activities focusing on staying safe over the break.

Topics included:

• The dangers of swimming in reservoirs, lakes and unsupervised open water.
• Understanding beach safety flags and recognising rip currents.
• The lifesaving Float to Live message.
• The dangers of wildfires and how to help protect our local environment.
• Where to seek help in an emergency.

These important reminders help ensure students are equipped with the knowledge to enjoy the summer holidays safely and responsibly.

Recognition of Our Safeguarding Work

We are delighted that All Saints' Catholic High School has been recognised as being within the Top 5% of Pol-Ed schools across Lancashire for engagement during the 2025–26 academic year.

This recognition celebrates our commitment to delivering high-quality safeguarding and PSHE education and reflects the dedication of our staff in ensuring students receive relevant, up-to-date learning that helps them stay safe, healthy and informed. We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition and will continue to build on this success during the next academic year.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for the new academic year, significant work has already taken place to review and further develop our Personal Development curriculum in readiness for the introduction of the new statutory PSHE framework from September 2026.

Over the past year, our curriculum has been carefully reviewed and redesigned to ensure it reflects the latest national guidance and continues to meet the evolving needs of our students. New learning has been incorporated across all year groups, with an increased focus on safeguarding, healthy relationships, online safety, careers education, financial education, mental wellbeing and preparing young people for the opportunities and challenges of modern life.

Alongside this, we have strengthened our programme of assemblies, enrichment opportunities, student voice and careers education to ensure Personal Development continues to be woven throughout school life, rather than existing solely within PSHE lessons.

We look forward to launching our enhanced curriculum in September and continuing to provide every student with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to become confident, resilient and compassionate young people who are well-prepared for their future.

We would like to thank our staff, external partners, parents and, most importantly, our students for their enthusiasm, commitment and engagement throughout another successful year.