DSTC recognises the importance of ensuring that every student leaves education being able to effectively take a productive role in society. Individual Character Education at DSTC aims to develop the whole child through not only Relationships and Sex Education, Character Education, Fundamental British Values, Citizenship, Health Education, SMSC and Careers within a dedicated spiralled curriculum subject, ‘Individual Character Education’, but through the wider opportunities available during a students education at DSTC. 

The purpose of Individual Character Education (ICE) is to be the driver of delivering many aspects of Personal Development at DSTC.

Personal Development, through ICE continues much of the work completed at Key Stage 2 through a spiral curriculum. When students join DSTC a unit of work on ‘transitions’ is completed together with building friendships and online safety amongst other topics.

The ICE curriculum is driven by the PSHE association themes of: Health and Well-Being; Living in the Wider World; Relationships and is compliant with the RSE statutory guidance.

Students are taught in discrete ICE lessons for 1 hour per week. Many topics are also supported by assemblies, drop down days and external visitors/experts.

The KS3 curriculum is a bespoke spiral curriculum that develops aspects from the themes below and progresses into KS4.:

• Relationships and Sex Education
• SMSC
• Fundamental British Values
• Cooperative Values
• Keeping safe
• Online and Media Safety
• Anti-bullying
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Mental Health and wellbeing
• Physical Health and Fitness
• Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Basic First Aid
• Changing Adolescent Body
• Families
• Respectful relationships, including friendships
• CEIAG
• Safeguarding

KS3 students are able to apply to become a Student Ambassador, a mentor or peer reader: opportunities are open to all students to develop their character and skills.

Students are taught in discrete ICE lessons for 1 hour per week in Year 10 and through tutor time in Year 11. Many topics are also supported by assemblies, drop down days and external visitors/experts.

The KS4 curriculum is a bespoke spiral curriculum that develops from KS3 though the themes below: 

• Relationships and Sex Education
• SMSC
• Fundamental British Values
• Cooperative Values
• Keeping safe
• Online and Media Safety
• Anti-bullying
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Mental Health and wellbeing
• Physical Health and Fitness
• Drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Basic First Aid
• Changing Adolescent Body
• Families
• Safeguarding
• Respectful relationships, including friendships
• CEIAG - external, independent Careers interviews with CxK

Students in KS4 are able to further develop themselves through taking an active role within the DSTC community. There are many opportunities for them including:

• Subject Ambassadors
• Peer reading schemes
• Anti-bullying Ambassadors
• Mental Health Ambassadors
• LGBTQ+ group
• Prefects - Year 11

Students in KS5 now have the benefit of timetabled compulsory ICE lessons, alongside bespoke tutor times and drop down days in many areas of Personal Development. Topics are tailored to meet the current life skills needed for this age group.

The topics at Post 16 include:

Year 12

• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Managing stress
• Body image
• Healthy coping strategies
• Career Opportunities
• Preparing for the world of work
• Living in a diverse society
• Challenging prejudice and discrimination
• Exploring future opportunities
• Post-18 options
• The impact of financial decisions
• Consent
• Assertive communication
• Positive relationships and recognising abuse
• Safeguarding
• Strategies for managing dangerous situations or relationships
• Independence and keeping safe
• Travel
• First Aid
• The impact of substance abuse

Year 13

• Responsible health choices
• Managing change
• Health and wellbeing, including special health, into adulthood
• Application processes
• Future opportunities and career development
• Maintaining a positive professional identity
• Personal values, including in relation to contraceptive and sexual health
• Fertility and Pregnancy
• Managing money
• Financial contracts
• Budgeting/savings and debt
• Influences on financial choices
• New friendships and relationships, including in the workplace
• Personal safety
• Intimacy
• Conflict resolution
• Relationship changes