🌍 Year 9 PSHE

Relationships in Depth

Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships

• Healthy relationships are built on: mutual respect, trust, honesty, open communication, support for each other's independence and interests, equality in decision-making, the freedom to leave
• Unhealthy relationship patterns: jealousy presented as love ("I'm jealous because I care"), control and possessiveness, isolation from friends and family, monitoring of phone/social media, emotional manipulation, put-downs, explosive anger
• The "Relationship Escalator": the cultural norm that relationships must follow a set path (dating → exclusivity → moving in → marriage → children). Choosing a different path is valid.
• Coercive control: a pattern of behaviours that creates fear, dependency, and compliance in a partner — recognised as a criminal offence in the UK (Serious Crime Act 2015)

Consent — Revisiting

• FRIES model: Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific
• Consent is ongoing — it can be withdrawn at any time, even mid-way through. Previous consent does not imply future consent.
• UK law: the age of consent is 16. Someone who is drunk, asleep, or otherwise incapacitated cannot give consent. A lack of "no" is not consent — only a clear "yes" is.
• Peer pressure and consent: being persuaded, worn down, or made to feel guilty until you agree is not consent — it is coercion

Online Relationships

• Catfishing: creating a fake online identity to deceive someone into a relationship
• The risks of online relationships: people may not be who they claim; location can be traced; screenshots last forever; the pressure to share intimate images
• Sexting: sending sexual messages or images. If you are under 18, creating or sharing sexual images of yourself or others (even if they're the same age) is technically illegal under the Protection of Children Act 1978. Images can be used for blackmail (sextortion).
• Help: CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) — report online abuse at ceop.police.uk. Childline: 0800 1111.

Sexual Health

Contraception

• Barrier methods: condoms (male and female) — the only contraception that also protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 98% effective with perfect use.
• Hormonal methods: the combined pill (oestrogen + progestogen), mini-pill (progestogen only), the patch, the injection (Depo-Provera, lasts 3 months), the implant (Nexplanon, lasts 3 years), the hormonal coil (Mirena IUS). All highly effective (over 99%) with perfect use.
• Non-hormonal long-acting: copper coil (IUD) — lasts up to 10 years; also works as emergency contraception if fitted within 5 days of unprotected sex
• Emergency contraception: the emergency pill (morning-after pill) can be taken up to 72 hours (some types up to 120 hours) after unprotected sex. Available free from pharmacies, sexual health clinics, and GPs.

STIs

• Chlamydia: the most common STI in the UK. Often no symptoms. Easily treated with antibiotics. Untreated: can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility.
• Gonorrhoea: increasingly antibiotic-resistant. Often no symptoms. Can cause infertility if untreated.
• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): attacks the immune system. No cure but effectively managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART) — people on treatment can live full, healthy lives and cannot transmit the virus to partners if undetectable (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable). PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): a pill that HIV-negative people can take to prevent infection. Available on the NHS.
• Getting tested: sexual health clinics (GUM clinics) offer free, confidential testing. Home test kits available. Regular testing is responsible if you are sexually active.

Substance Misuse

Why Young People Try Substances

• Peer pressure, curiosity, to manage difficult emotions (anxiety, depression, trauma), to fit in, because it's available, thrill-seeking
• Understanding the "why" is important — telling someone drugs are dangerous doesn't work if they're using them to cope with something

Drug Classification (UK)

• Class A (most serious): heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, LSD, methamphetamine, magic mushrooms. Up to 7 years for possession; life imprisonment for supply.
• Class B: cannabis, ketamine, amphetamines, codeine, synthetic cannabinoids (Spice). Up to 5 years for possession; 14 years for supply.
• Class C: anabolic steroids, tranquilisers (not for personal use). Up to 2 years for possession; 14 years for supply.
• Classification roughly reflects harm but is contested — alcohol and tobacco (both legal) cause more social harm than many Class B drugs

Alcohol

• Legal age to buy alcohol: 18 in England, Wales, and Scotland
• Units: 1 unit = 10ml pure alcohol. A pint of 5% lager = 2.8 units; a standard glass of 13% wine = 2 units; a shot of spirits = 1 unit
• NHS guidelines: no more than 14 units per week for adults; no safe level for under-18s whose brains are still developing
• Risks of underage drinking: brain development impairment, impaired judgement leading to risky behaviour, vulnerability to sexual exploitation, addiction risk is higher if started young
• Vaping: though often marketed as safer than smoking, long-term health effects are unknown. Nicotine is addictive; youth vaping rates have risen sharply. Illegal to sell to under-18s.

Knife Crime & Gang Culture

The Reality of Knife Crime

• Knife crime affects young people disproportionately — young people are both the most common victims and the most common perpetrators
• Carrying a knife does not make you safer — it makes you more likely to be stabbed (escalation) and means you will face serious criminal charges if caught
• The law: it is illegal to carry a knife in public without good reason. Maximum sentence: 4 years imprisonment. No defence of "it was for my protection."
• Stop and search: police can stop and search anyone they suspect of carrying a weapon. Section 60 allows searches without individual suspicion in designated areas.

Understanding Gang Culture

• Young people join gangs for: protection, belonging, identity, money, because family members are involved, because they feel they have no other options
• The County Lines model: drug supply networks run by urban gangs into rural areas and small towns, using young people and vulnerable adults as "runners". County lines is modern slavery.
• Cuckooing: taking over a vulnerable person's home (often someone with drug addiction, mental health issues) to use as a base for dealing
• Knife amnesties, community intervention programmes (e.g. Manchester's Reducing the Risk programme), mentoring by former gang members, and addressing poverty and exclusion are all part of the response
• If you know someone who is involved or being recruited: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 (anonymous). Tell a trusted adult. Contextual Safeguarding: your school or social services can help.

Extremism & Radicalisation

What Is Radicalisation?

• Radicalisation: the process by which a person comes to adopt extreme political, social, or religious views that can lead to violence
• It is a gradual process — usually involves: a grievance or perceived injustice, an "us vs them" worldview, dehumanisation of the enemy, isolation from moderating influences, and a sense of purpose or belonging within an extremist group
• Extremist groups exploit: identity crises, mental health vulnerabilities, experiences of racism or discrimination, search for belonging and purpose

Types of Extremism

• Islamist extremism: groups like ISIS/Daesh use a distorted interpretation of Islam to justify violence. The vast majority of Muslims regard this as a perversion of their faith.
• Far-right extremism: white supremacist, neo-Nazi, and anti-Muslim groups. Increasingly radicalised online (8chan, Telegram). Responsible for many terrorist attacks in Western countries.
• Incel ("involuntary celibate") ideology: misogynist online communities blaming women for their perceived rejection. Have inspired mass shootings.
• Extremism exists across the political and religious spectrum — no group or ideology is immune

Online Radicalisation

• Social media algorithms can create "rabbit holes" that gradually expose users to increasingly extreme content
• Warning signs: consuming and sharing extremist content, dehumanising language about out-groups, becoming secretive, withdrawing from family and moderate friends, glorifying violence
• The Prevent programme: the UK government's strategy to stop people being radicalised. Channel is the programme that works with individuals at risk — voluntary, supportive, not criminal.
• If you are concerned about yourself or someone else: speak to a trusted adult, school, or contact the Prevent helpline (0800 011 3764) or Act Early (gov.uk/actearly)

Political Engagement

The UK Political System

• Constitutional monarchy: a monarch (King Charles III) as head of state with ceremonial powers; a democratically elected Parliament that holds real power
• Parliament: two chambers — House of Commons (650 elected MPs) and the House of Lords (unelected: life peers, bishops, a few hereditary peers)
• General elections: at least every 5 years. First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system: the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins — even without a majority. This produces strong governments but distorts representation.
• The Prime Minister: leader of the party with a majority of seats in the Commons; forms the government
• Devolution: Scotland (Holyrood Parliament), Wales (Senedd), and Northern Ireland (Stormont Assembly) have powers over some issues; England remains governed by Westminster

How Young People Can Engage

• Voting: 18 is the voting age in UK general elections. Some local elections allow 16-year-olds to vote (Scotland, Wales).
• Contacting your MP: every constituent can write to or meet their MP to raise an issue. MPs hold "surgeries" (advice sessions). They must respond.
• Petitions: UK Parliament petitions with 100,000+ signatures are considered for debate
• Protest and activism: the right to peaceful protest is protected in law (though increasingly restricted by the Public Order Act 2023)
• Youth councils, school councils, UK Youth Parliament (UKYP): young people can participate in democratic structures before they can vote
• Social media and journalism: platforms for raising issues, building communities, and holding power to account — but also echo chambers and misinformation. Critical media literacy is essential.

Financial Futures

Preparing for Financial Independence

• A budget: a plan for how you will spend your money. Track all income and all outgoings. The goal: outgoings ≤ income. Anything left over is surplus — for saving or investment.
• Emergency fund: financial advisers recommend 3–6 months' expenses kept in an accessible savings account. Prevents debt when unexpected costs arise (car repair, illness, job loss).
• Saving goals: short-term (holiday, new phone), medium-term (car, house deposit), long-term (retirement)

Understanding Debt

• Good debt vs bad debt: borrowing to invest in assets that increase in value or earning power (a mortgage, a student loan, a business loan) is different from borrowing for consumption at high interest (payday loans, credit card balances not paid off monthly)
• APR (Annual Percentage Rate): the cost of borrowing over a year, including fees. Always compare APR when comparing loans. Payday loans can be 1,500% APR.
• Credit score: a number that represents your creditworthiness — how likely lenders think you are to repay. Built by: paying on time, not using too much credit, having credit history. Damaged by: missed payments, defaults, County Court Judgements (CCJs).
• Student finance (England): tuition fee loan (up to £9,250/year) + maintenance loan (depends on household income). Repaid only when you earn over £25,000; written off after 40 years. It functions more like a graduate tax than a conventional loan.

Understanding Investment

• Inflation: prices rise over time. Money in a current account earning 0% interest is losing real value if inflation is 3%. Your money must grow at least as fast as inflation to maintain its value.
• Compound interest (the "eighth wonder of the world" — attributed to Einstein): interest earned on interest. £1,000 at 5% interest per year: after 10 years ≈ £1,629; after 20 years ≈ £2,653; after 30 years ≈ £4,322.
• The earlier you start saving/investing, the more powerful compounding becomes — even small amounts make a large difference over time
• Investment risk: generally, higher potential return = higher risk. Cash savings (low risk, low return); bonds (medium); stocks and shares (higher volatility but historically higher long-term returns); property.
• ISA (Individual Savings Account): saves up to £20,000 per year with no tax on interest or returns. Lifetime ISA (LISA): save up to £4,000/year; government adds 25% bonus — for first home purchase or retirement.
• Pension: the most tax-efficient way to save for retirement. Employer pensions: your employer also contributes. Start early — even small contributions now make a massive difference by retirement.