Personal Development Curriculum

Building Qualities for Life

Learners who gain deep and powerful knowledge in preparation for life; combining academic rigour, curiosity and creative flair.

Learners will:

  • Achieve academic standards of excellence enabling them to excel against any competition nationally.
  • Experience a rich, exciting curriculum that leaves them able to make powerful choices about their future ambitions. 

Learners who are imaginative, optimistic and inventive; finding their voice to become effective communicators prepared for lifelong adaptability.

Learners will:

  • Experience creative teaching that makes learning engaging and allows them to think independently and be confident citizens.
  • Be expected to embrace a diverse and cutting edge range of creative opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

Learners who are confident, resilient, well-rounded citizens; they understand the world’s communities and are ready to discover their place in it.

Learners will:

  • Be proud of their achievements and for the progress they make, and have these achievements celebrated and recorded.
  • Develop positive, secure relationships so that they flourish and have a powerful sense of their own potential.

The Qualities of Success

At Chorlton High School, we believe that education is about more than academic success—it’s about shaping confident, capable, and compassionate individuals who thrive both now and in the future. Our Qualities of Success are at the heart of this vision. These nine strands — Optimism, Motivation, Resiliency, Creativity, Responsibility, Practice, Curiosity, Reflection, and Empathy — are not taught in isolation; they are carefully sequenced and built upon throughout all five years of a student’s journey with us.

From the very first day in Year 7, students are encouraged to approach challenges with Optimism, developing a positive mindset that helps them see opportunities rather than obstacles. This optimism fuels Motivation, inspiring learners to set ambitious goals and work towards them with determination.

As they progress, students learn the value of Resiliency—understanding that setbacks are not failures but stepping stones to growth. This resilience is paired with Creativity, empowering students to think differently, solve problems innovatively, and express themselves with confidence across all subjects.

Alongside this, we nurture Responsibility, ensuring that students take ownership of their learning, behaviour, and contributions to the school community. Through consistent Practice, they develop mastery, recognising that success is built on effort, persistence, and a willingness to improve.

Our curriculum also fosters Curiosity, encouraging students to ask questions, explore new ideas, and develop a lifelong love of learning. This is complemented by Reflection, helping learners to evaluate their progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for growth.

Finally, we place a strong emphasis on Empathy, ensuring that students leave Chorlton High School as compassionate individuals who understand and respect the perspectives of others—skills that are essential in today’s interconnected world.

By the time our students reach Year 11, these qualities are deeply embedded, equipping them not only for academic success but for life beyond school. Whether they move on to further education, apprenticeships, or the world of work, they carry with them the confidence, resilience, and character to thrive in any environment.

At Chorlton High School, we don’t just prepare students for exams — we prepare them for life.

Qualities of SUCCESS

Vehicles for this:

RESPECT Lessons: At Chorlton High School, RESPECT lessons are part of the Personal Development Curriculum, which is designed to prepare students for life beyond the classroom. These lessons cover all statutory themes, including Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education), and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development).

The RESPECT curriculum is delivered across all year groups and provides students with opportunities to explore moral, ethical, social, cultural, and technological issues. It helps them develop the skills, values, and understanding needed to become successful, creative, and happy individuals who contribute positively to society.

Through RESPECT lessons, students engage with topics such as:

  • Healthy relationships and respect for others
  • Personal safety and wellbeing
  • Citizenship and global responsibility
  • Employability skills and life preparation

These lessons are sequenced across the five years at Chorlton High School, ensuring that students revisit and deepen their understanding over time. They also link closely to the school’s Qualities of Success, helping students build character traits like responsibility, empathy, and resilience, which are essential for future education, employment, and life in modern society

At Chorlton High School, Form Time is more than a daily routine—it’s the heartbeat of our school community. Every morning begins with students and their form tutor coming together to start the day positively, creating a calm, purposeful atmosphere that sets the tone for learning. What makes this experience truly special is the continuity: form tutors stay with their group for all five years, building strong relationships, trust, and a sense of family. This consistency allows tutors to know each student as an individual, supporting their academic progress, personal development, and wellbeing throughout their journey.

Form Time is carefully structured to provide both stability and progression. Each year group follows a specific focus that reflects their stage of development, ensuring that students are challenged and supported in ways that prepare them for the future:

  • Year 7 – Future Foundations
    Students begin by building the habits and values that underpin success. Tutors assess and reward engagement in community-based projects that weave together key strands of personal development, helping students feel connected and confident in their new environment.

  • Year 8 – CHS Edge
    The focus shifts to independence and leadership. Tutors encourage students to take on new responsibilities and provide opportunities to demonstrate and evidence their growth, preparing them for greater autonomy.

  • Year 9 – SSAT Award
    Students work towards an externally assessed award that recognises excellence in character and personal development. Tutors play a vital role in guiding students to showcase their strengths and reflect on their achievements.

  • Year 10 – iDEA, Careers and Employability
    As students approach the world beyond school, they engage with online modules that develop digital and enterprise skills. Tutors support them in linking these skills to employability and career aspirations, ensuring they are future-ready.

  • Year 11 – Future Focused, Exams and Next Steps
    In their final year, students work closely with tutors to consolidate their Personal Learning Journey, prepare for exams, and secure their next steps in education or training. Tutors provide reassurance, guidance, and motivation during this crucial stage.

Through this five-year journey, Form Time becomes a powerful platform for community, character, and confidence. It ensures that every student feels known, valued, and supported — not just as a learner, but as a person. By the time they leave Chorlton High School, students are not only academically prepared but equipped with the resilience, responsibility, and ambition to thrive in life beyond school.

At Chorlton High School, we believe that every student should feel safe, valued, and connected. Our Community of Belonging is more than an ethos — it is a lived experience that runs through every aspect of school life. From the moment students join us in Year 7, they become part of a supportive network that celebrates individuality while fostering unity and shared purpose.

This sense of belonging is not confined to Form Time or RESPECT lessons — it is woven into the fabric of daily life at Chorlton High School. In classrooms, corridors, extracurricular activities, and enrichment opportunities, students experience an environment where respect, inclusion, and kindness are the norm. Our staff model these values every day, ensuring that students feel understood and supported, whatever their background or aspirations.

Belonging is also central to Personal Development. Through carefully planned experiences, students learn to value diversity, develop empathy, and build positive relationships. They are encouraged to take pride in their identity while contributing to the wider school community, preparing them for life in a diverse and interconnected world.

Over five years, this culture of belonging grows stronger. Students form lasting friendships, build trust with staff, and develop the confidence to express themselves. They learn that their voice matters, that they have a role to play in shaping their community, and that their actions can make a difference. This foundation not only supports academic success but also nurtures the character traits—responsibility, resilience, empathy, and collaboration—that employers and society value most.

At Chorlton High School, belonging is not just a feeling — it is a commitment. A commitment to ensuring that every student knows: You are seen. You are supported. You are part of something bigger - You BELONG here.