PSHE is delivered as a timetabled subject within Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9), and within dedicated PSHE time during tutor time in Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). Relationships and sex education (RSE) is interlinked within the same curriculum and follows Government guidance.

There are three set units: Independence & Aspirations; Autonomy & Advocacy; Choices & Influences, ensuring that students can build on prior knowledge throughout each Key Stage. 

Where you see repeated content, it may be new content which is being introduced to multiple year groups, or where student voice shows topics that need to be revisited. This half-term, much of the content is new (in line with recent Government guidance) and so some year groups will be receiving the same offer. 

The topics students will explore within our sixth half-term (in which we return to Choices and Influences) are:

Year 7

• How to respond when things go wrong online 

• Cyberbullying 

• Healthy online relationships 

• How media outlets report stories differently 

• How to talk to people about feelings and mental health 

• Staying safe over summer

Year 8

• Cyberbullying 

• Online relationships and gaming 

• Choices and consequences – vaping, smoking and an introduction to drugs and alcohol 

• Healthy and unhealthy coping strategies 

• Harmful sexual behaviour, up skirting and supporting people through difficult times 

• Staying safe over summer

Year 9

• Contraceptive choices 

• Safe and healthy intimate relationships and the laws around sharing intimate images 

• The impact of the media on our thoughts around sex, including pornography. How to stay safe online. 

• Staying safe over summer

Year 10

• Organ, blood and stem cell donation; choices and ethics. 

• Contraceptive choices 

• The impact of the media on our thoughts around sex, including pornography.

• The sharing of intimate images and the law. 

• Exam stress and the impact of stress on our bodies 

• Staying safe over summer 

Understandably, some of the topics may be difficult or upsetting for some of our students. If you feel your child may struggle with any of the topics, please contact their Head of Year so we can offer appropriate support.