Name of Head of Department
Dr D Parry, BSc, MSc, PhD, PGCE
Introduction to the department
Students at Devonport High School for Girls are well cared for by a dedicated pastoral support team. All students join one of four Houses; the Form Tutors support students on a daily basis through Years 7–11, whilst the Heads of House monitor their progress and welfare, celebrate their achievements and provide additional support when required. We aim to get to know each student individually so that we can develop the academic and inter-personal skills required to make a successful transition to post-16 study and life beyond school.
Our pastoral support begins after Easter with transitional visits to students' primary schools, an induction day and after school sports for Year 6 students. New Year 7 students are integrated into life at Devonport High School for Girls with the help of Transition buddies, who are Year 8 students, while specially trained Sixth Form academic and pastoral mentors are also available. Year 7 students also take part in a team building activity in September at Escot Park.
Curriculum Programmes of Study
|
Year
|
Cycle |
Content |
|
Year 7
|
Cycle 1
|
Time management and home learning
New experiences and risk
Making and maintaining friendship
Coping with peer pressure
Personal hygiene
|
|
Cycle 2
|
Benefits of clubs and hobbies
Using Unifrog to explore careers information
The role of Government
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Budgeting pocket money
Developing and maintaining family relationships
Romantic relationships
Puberty
Importance of getting and staying fit
|
|
Cycle 3
|
Effects of smoking and vaping
Using Unifrog to identify skills and record activities
Microaggressions and Hate Incidents
Consent
Effects of alcohol
Personal safety
Effects of sleep on emotional wellbeing
British Values
Basic First Aid
Offensive weapons
Interests and your dream job
Diversity and tolerance
|
|
Year 8
|
Cycle 1
|
Setting new routines
Maintaining positive friendships, resolving conflict
Anger management
Improving and maintaining emotional wellbeing
Recognising success in future careers
|
|
Cycle 2
|
Skin care
Self-image
Sustainability
Career research (Unifrog)
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Different family setups
Choosing GCSE options
Healthy lifestyles
Consent in relationships
Forced marriage
Making and maintaining safe online relationships
|
|
Cycle 3
|
Sexting
Social justice and racial discrimination
Self-esteem and body image
Effects of smoking
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Media portrayal of body image
Stereotypes and family roles
Legal and illegal drugs
Competencies in Careers (Unifrog)
Holiday safety and skin cancer
|
|
Year 9
|
Cycle 1
|
Expectations of GCSE study
Drugs and the law
Effects of alcohol
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Adolescent relationships
Maintaining emotional wellbeing and the effect of Social Media
Media portrayal of body image and sex
Attributes that make great leaders
|
| |
Cycle 2
|
The value of diversity
Understanding extremism
Linking interests to careers plans
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Domestic Violence
Sexualised behaviour and bullying
Global and active citizenship
Human Rights
Genocide and The Holocaust
Effects of smoking
|
| |
Cycle 3
|
Grooming
Criminality and the Justice System
Mock Trial
Consent
Mental health and sleep
Gender Equality
Cyber-Bullying
Honour-based Violence
Eating Disorders
Your skills, your team, your future (Unifrog)
Money Matters – taxes, payslips and part-time jobs
|
|
Year 10
|
Cycle 1
|
Work Experience applications
Managing finances
Managing risk and gambling
Harassment and stalking
Identifying and dealing with Homophobia
Knife Crime
Costs and consequences of drugs
Electoral systems and local government
|
| |
Cycle 2
|
Contraception
Unplanned pregnancy
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Careers research
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Recognising and challenging negative thinking patterns
Exam technique
Humanitarianism in Society
|
| |
Cycle 3
|
Sexual orientation
Family Life
Revision Techniques
Contacting the work experience placement
Careers – what makes a great team player? (Unifrog)
Careers – Escape Room activity (Unifrog)
University of Plymouth Open Day visit
|
|
Year 11
|
Cycle 1
|
Organ donation
Philosophy
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Writing a CV
A-level choices
|
| |
Cycle 2
|
Organ donation
Philosophy
Contribution of LGBT+ community to society (LGBT+ History Month)
Maintaining mental health (Time to Talk Day)
Writing a CV
A-level choices
|
| |
Cycle 3
|
Post-16 Intentions (Unifrog)
Final preparation for GCSE examinations
Public examinations
|
Extra-curricular activities
- Year 7 Teambuilding trip to Escot Park
- Year 7 Fundraising for LEPRA
- Year 8 Extended Project (EP8) and presentations
- Year 9 Residential activities week in Bude
- Year 10 trip to the University of Plymouth Open Day and Skills South West
- Year 10 Work Experience
- Year 11 Matters - study skills, stress management, sex education
- Charity Week - All years
