All students have a PDC lesson each week.  During this time students are encouraged to become more aware of themselves and their values and to develop coping skills for the wide range of problems encountered both within and outside school.

PDC at KS3

Students in Year 7-9 undertake a programme of study called the Key Steps Award which is accredited by ASDAN. Each student has the opportunity to work towards achieving a certificate in each of the KS3 years. These certificates show that the student has worked on and successfully completed a wide range of personal challenges based on the following topics:

Identity, Health, Community, Citizenship, Environment, Personal Finance, Enterprise, Values and International studies. 

 PDC at KS4

Students in KS4 study for certification in AQA Preparation for Working Life 4800. Students can achieve L1 which is equivalent to D-G at short course GCSE.  Level 2 is equivalent to A*-C at short course GCSE.

The content of the KS4 PDC course aims to cover the five outcomes of ‘Every Child Matters’ that are most important to young people. 1). Be Healthy, 2). Stay Safe, 3). Enjoy and Achieve, 4). Make a Positive Contribution, 5). Achieve Economic Well Being.

The major areas covered are:

• Study skills
• Education for personal relationships
• Health Education
• Careers Education and guidance 
• Personal Finance
• Citizenship