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  • Year 10

Separation and sudden changes

I can describe how separation or sudden change can affect people and explain where to find support.

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View unit
Lesson 1 of 3
New
New
  • Year 10

Separation and sudden changes

I can describe how separation or sudden change can affect people and explain where to find support.

Download all

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Separation and family changes can deeply affect emotions and wellbeing.
  2. Not all separations are negative, but all involve adjustment.
  3. Everyone reacts differently to change and that's ok.
  4. Support networks help people cope with big life transitions.
  5. Talking about emotions can reduce confusion and anxiety.

Keywords

  • Separation - in this context, when people who were together (like parents or carers) part ways

  • Support network - people or services that offer help with emotional and practical needs

Common misconception

Separation always means that a family has failed.

Separation may be the healthiest option in some cases and doesn’t mean a lack of love or care.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Separation and sudden changes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Handle discussions with care; you could offer anonymous question boxes and signpost support services.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.

Correct Answer:relationship,the way in which two or more people are connected

the way in which two or more people are connected

Correct Answer:feelings,our thoughts and opinions about things

our thoughts and opinions about things

Correct Answer:state of mind,the emotional state that a person is in

the emotional state that a person is in

Q2.
Which of the following are ways to help us manage our feelings?

ignore them and hope that they improve with time
Correct answer: try breathing exercises to help calm yourself
focus completely on your feelings and think about nothing else
Correct answer: distract yourself with something to give yourself a mental break

Q3.
Which of the following statements about our feelings are not accurate?

All feelings are valid.
Correct answer: We should not allow ourselves to feel emotions like sadness or anger.
Feelings can help us to learn about ourselves.
Correct answer: Feelings only tell us what we think about others.

Q4.
Sam wants to show her friend that she is listening to her express her feelings about a difficult time she is going through. What can Sam do to show she is really listening to her friend?

Correct answer: summarise what her friend has said
look the other way while she is talking
Correct answer: ask follow-up questions to show she understands
try to focus the conversation on herself to take her friend's mind off it

Q5.
Every relationship we have may involve different power __________.

Correct Answer: dynamics

Q6.
If a relationship encounters conflict, we should ...

make sure the other person knows everything they have done wrong.
Correct answer: use 'I' statements when talking about our feelings.
Correct answer: ask for support if the conflict is unhealthy.
end the relationship, only unhealthy relationships have conflict.

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
If this is the definition, what is the word: 'when people who were together (like parents or carers) part ways'?

Correct answer: separation
support network
relationship
conflict

Q2.
Separation can ...

Correct answer: make us feel a mixture of emotions.
Correct answer: affect our emotions and wellbeing.
always make us sad.
make everyone feel happy.

Q3.
Not all separations are negative, but all require ___________.

Correct Answer: adjustment, change, adapation, adapting, changes

Q4.
Which statements about support networks are accurate?

We don't need support networks, we should just deal with it ourselves.
Correct answer: Support networks can provide us with advice and guidance.
Support networks should only be made up of professionals.
Correct answer: Support networks will look different for everyone.

Q5.
Which statements about feelings relating to change are not accurate?

Correct answer: Everyone deals with change the same way.
Correct answer: It is odd to feel positively about change and separation.
We may experience physical feelings such as insomnia or a tight chest.
The only valid feeling about separation is sadness.

Q6.
Which statement is the most accurate?

Separation always means that a family has failed.
Correct answer: Separation may be the healthiest option in some cases.
Separation means that there is a lack of love or care.