Curriculum Vision and Intent
PSHE enables our children to become independent, responsible and healthy members of society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We aim to prepare students for life and work in modern Britain.
We acknowledge that students are growing up in an increasingly complex world; we aim to equip students with the knowledge of how to be safe and healthy both on and offline.
KS3 curriculum and assessment
At key stage three all students receive one 50 minute lesson of PSHE per week. The content is taught in topical units to enable students to build upon previous learning and explore areas which are relevant and appropriate to their level.
Each year group covers six topics within an academic year; these topics fall into three strands:
- Health and wellbeing
- Relationships
- Living in the wider world
Below are the units that students will cover during KS3 in PSHE:
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | |
| Unit 1 | Transition and safety | Community and careers | Healthy lifestyle |
| Unit 2 | Developing skills and aspirations | Digital literacy | Respectful relationships |
| Unit 3 | Diversity | Drugs and alcohol | Peer influence, substance use and gangs |
| Unit 4 | Health and puberty | Emotional wellbeing | Setting goals |
| Unit 5 | Building relationships | Identity and relationships | Intimate relationships |
| Unit 6 | Financial decision making | Discrimination | Employability skills |
In addition to the core units, we have allocated individual lessons throughout the year which the Head of Year devises. This way, if there are any arising issues we can dedicate those lessons to tailoring content to our students.
Students complete a self-assessment at the end of each unit using a confidence and knowledge scale. In addition, students also complete an online confidence questionnaire at the beginning of the summer term on all topics. This is used by the Head of Year to see if there are common themes that have low knowledge / confidence. These topics can then be covered again for the year group.
Through PSHE lessons, students are given the opportunity to develop their teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. Teachers will observe students throughout the year in these areas.
KS4 curriculum and assessment
At key stage four every student receives a 1 hour 20 minute lesson of PSHE a fortnight. We aim to build on the topics learnt throughout key stage 3, along with additional topic areas which are relevant to this age group, namely, building for the future and post 16 pathways.
Just like KS3, each year group will cover six topics within an academic year, these topics fall into three strands:
- Health and wellbeing
- Relationships
- Living in the wider world
Below are the units that students will cover during KS3 in PSHE:
| Year 10 | Year 11 | |
| Unit 1 | Mental health | Building for the future |
| Unit 2 | Financial decision making | Financial decision making |
| Unit 3 | Healthy relationships | Communication in relationships |
| Unit 4 | Exploring influence | Independence |
| Unit 5 | Yoga and Mindfulness | Families |
| Unit 6 | Work experience | Yoga and Mindfulness |
In addition to the core units, we have allocated individual lessons throughout the year, which the Head of Year can assign according to need. This way, if there are any arising issues we can dedicate lessons to tailoring content to our students.
Students complete a self-assessment at the end of each unit using a confidence and knowledge scale. In addition, students also complete an online confidence questionnaire at the beginning of the summer term on all topics. This is used by the Head of Year to see if there are common themes that have low knowledge / confidence. These topics can then be covered again for the year group.
Through PSHE lessons students are given the opportunity to develop their teamwork, communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. Teachers will observe students throughout the year in these areas.
KS5 curriculum and assessment
At Key Stage 5, students have a 50-minute PSHE lesson weekly. Most sessions are run in form groups, which are vertical and contain Years 12 and 13.
The Sixth Form PSHE programme covers four strands:
| Core themes | Topics |
| Health and Wellbeing | Self-concept |
| Mental health and emotional well-being | |
| Healthy lifestyles | |
| Managing risk and personal safety | |
| Sexual health | |
| Drugs, alcohol and tobacco | |
| Relationships | Relationship values |
| Forming and maintaining respectful relationships | |
| Consent | |
| Contraception and parenthood | |
| Bullying, abuse and discrimination | |
| Living in the wider world | Choices and pathways |
| Work and career | |
| Employment rights and responsibilities | |
| Financial choices | |
| Media literacy and digital resilience | |
| Study skills | Revision |
| Literacy | |
| Time management | |
| In-class strategies |
We have a lively programme of external speakers, including alumni, linked to specific career pathways, as well as speakers reflecting on attributes that employers are seeking.
In addition to PSHE lessons, students in Year 12 have a one-day programme in school focused on Sex and Relationships Education, led by Brook.
There is an ongoing programme to support post-18 pathways, supported by use of the Unifrog digital platform. In the spring term of Year 12, all students attend a UCAS Convention at the EXCeL Centre as well as the in-house post-18 progression evening, along with their parents/carers.
Our PSHE programme complements the curriculum for Sixth Form Beliefs and Values lessons – students attend a bi-weekly lesson based on the discussion of topical and ethical issues, chosen based on student voice.
Extra and super-curricular opportunities
Each year group has elected wellbeing ambassadors who help deliver the wellbeing events and feedback to staff about issues and concerns arising within their tutor or year groups.
There are a number of wellbeing activities and events which run throughout the year to help unite and encourage enjoyment and harmony in the school.
Wellbeing Events 2021 – 2022:
| September | Jack Petchy Year 10 Workshop |
| School Birthday | |
| International Languages and Celebrating Diversity Week | |
| October | KS3 Spelling Crown |
| Harvest Box Decoration and Food Collection | |
| November | Road Safety Week |
| House Dodgeball | |
| December | Christmas Jumper Day |
| House Pantomine | |
| Elf Gondentoes | |
| January | Toiletries Collection for Glass Door |
| Just Dance | |
| February | Start a Heart Campaign |
| House Dance | |
| March | International Womens Day |
| Science Week | |
| Wellbeing Week | |
| House Netball | |
| April | Active April |
| House Fun Run | |
| May | Mental Health Awareness Week |
| Walk for Wellbeing | |
| House Rowing | |
| June | Pride Month |
| Sports Day | |
| House Art Competition | |
| July | House Bake Off |
| Community Afternoon Tea |
Future opportunities (careers, university courses)
The PSHE programme has a focus on preparing students for future studies and careers. This is a feature of the programmes at all Key Stages. The skills and experiences students gain in PSHE help them develop as individuals and assist them in realising their future aspirations.
