Society & Relationships

Young people are navigating a world which is hugely complex – one in which is is difficult for adults to appreciate and understand the true pressures now experienced by young people, mostly as a result of social media and AI.

Therefore, as adults, looking after and supporting young people is critical, in order to help them to navigate their way to adult life.

To help guide your child through this exciting (and sometimes tricky) journey, we offer a rich and varied curriculum under the broad theme of society and relationships.

Students explore how to stay safe and healthy, while learning to balance their academic, personal and social lives in a positive, proactive way. They develop an understanding of mental health, online safety and respectful relationships, sex and health education, alongside vital topics like healthy eating and the physical and emotional changes of adolescence.

Young people face complex pressures and dilemmas in developing mature relationships and need to face such tasks, confident in their factual knowledge, as well as being given the opportunity to discuss and shape their feelings and attitudes. Alongside this, it is important for them to know how diet and exercise choices impact on our lifestyle and general well-being.

Through discussing thought-provoking questions such as “Will climate change affect children’s rights?”, “Do we celebrate differences enough?” and “Should all children receive free school meals?”, students are encouraged to think deeply, challenge assumptions and share their views.

At other times, they explore everything from British values to leadership skills, Holocaust remembrance to digital safety, anti-racism to anti-misogyny. 

Alongside this extensive programme, we have invested in a number of other routes and services to support students navigate pressures and external circumstance they may face.

• A trained counsellor, Aida Tarzi, in the Academy Monday-Thursday.  
• A multi-disciplinary psychotherapist, Rolan Garcia, on site on Fridays.
• Music therapists on site for one-to-one and small group session.
• Football Beyond Borders for students in Year 8 and Year 9.
• Bereavement counselling, provided by Grief Encounter, for children who have lost close family members.