Careers And Preparing For Adulthood
At Lady Byron School, we teach pupils the knowledge and skills they need to make good decisions about their health and wellbeing. Our aim is to help children recognise what is normal, when they may need support, and how to seek help early. We also highlight the strong link between physical health and mental wellbeing, encouraging pupils to build habits that support both.
What Pupils Learn
Mental Wellbeing
- Mental wellbeing is part of everyday life, just like physical health.
- Understanding and talking about emotions with the right vocabulary.
- The benefits of exercise, time outdoors, hobbies, friendships and community activities.
- Recognising loneliness, bullying and the importance of seeking help from trusted adults.
- Reducing stigma around mental health by encouraging openness and support.
Physical Health
- The importance of regular exercise, healthy eating and good sleep.
- Risks of unhealthy habits such as inactivity, poor diet, smoking, alcohol and drugs.
- Personal hygiene, oral health and the importance of handwashing.
- Safe sun exposure and the benefits of vaccinations.
- Basic first aid, including calling emergency services and treating common injuries.
Internet Safety & Screen Time
- Benefits and risks of online life.
- Respectful online behaviour and the importance of keeping personal information private.
- Recognising harmful content, online bullying and how to report concerns.
- Why social media, gaming and apps have age restrictions.
- Understanding how online content is targeted, ranked and sometimes misleading.
Puberty & Changing Bodies
- Teaching about puberty, including physical and emotional changes, before onset.
- Menstrual wellbeing: understanding the cycle, products available and how to manage changes confidently.
- Supporting pupils to feel prepared for adolescence with accurate, sensitive information.
Building Resilience & Self-Regulation
- Developing self-control, perseverance and confidence.
- Responding calmly to setbacks and challenges.
- Building positive character traits such as honesty, kindness, resilience and a sense of responsibility.
Primary vs Secondary Focus
Primary: Emphasis on healthy routines, basic self-care, recognising emotions, and preparing for puberty.
Secondary: Builds on primary learning with more detail on mental health conditions, healthy lifestyles, addiction, sexual health links, CPR, and managing the pressures of online and social media life.