I thought we had our Personal Development offer sorted... Then I properly looked at it!

I Thought We Had Our Personal Development Offer Sorted… Then I Properly Looked at It

This week’s episode is an honest reflection on what started as a simple PSHE/RSHE update… and quickly became something much deeper.

With the revised DfE RSHE guidance coming into force from September 2026, this episode explores why reviewing your personal development curriculum is not about adding more content, but about sharpening what already exists.

It focuses on the shift from coverage to coherence, precision and sequencing, and asks a crucial question:

Are pupils actually learning what they need to stay safe, thrive and navigate the world they’re growing up in?

In this episode, I explore:

Why “we cover it” is not the same as a well-sequenced curriculum

The key shifts in the 2026 RSHE guidance, including:

Teaching before risk arises

Greater transparency with parents

A stronger focus on prevention and safeguarding

The growing importance of teaching around:

Online safety, AI and digital manipulation

Gendered narratives and harmful social norms

Boundaries, relationships and help-seeking

How personal development is being more sharply evaluated in inspection, including: Curriculum coherence and sequencing

What pupils actually know and remember

Inclusion, pastoral care and real-world preparedness

Why experiences alone are not enough — and must sit alongside a knowledge-rich curriculum.

Key takeaway

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about being much more deliberate — knowing exactly what pupils should learn, when they should learn it, and how it prepares them for real life.

🎧 Premium Resource (This Week)

This week’s premium offer is especially practical. When you join, you’ll receive:

✔️ My fully updated Primary Personal Development Curriculum Clearly sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 Aligned with RSHE 2026 and safeguarding expectations Designed for coherence, progression and impact

✔️ Full access to 37+ previous premium episodes and resources, covering: Safeguarding Curriculum design Behaviour Inclusion Inspection readiness Early years and Strong Foundations Personal development and wellbeing

🔗 Join Premium Membership

Access this week’s curriculum and the full resource library here:

👉 The Leadership Lens Premium Membership

https://the-leadership-lens.mykajabi.com/premium-membership