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. 

The topics students will explore within the first half-term (Independence & Aspirations) are:

Year 7

• Resilience, personal qualities and being unique 

• An introduction to mental health and promoting positive wellbeing 

• Dealing with anger, change and unhelpful thoughts 

• Self-awareness (meaning of and why it is important)

• Understanding and showing emotions 

• Self-regulation and stress (what stress does to the body and how we can control it)

Year 8

• Employability skills, personal qualities and personal values 

• Rights and responsibilities, what makes a good person? 

• Online reputation and setting boundaries online

• Being a critical thinker and reading online information 

• How to respond when things go wrong online

• Self-regulation and stress (what stress does to the body and how we can control it) 

• Unhealthy and healthy coping mechanisms (with an introduction to self harm) 

• Fixed unwanted behaviours and OCD 

Year 9

• Resilience and why this is essential with how the world is evolving: cost of living, entitlement and money management. 

• Neurodiversity 

• Assessing risk and dealing with emergencies 

• Coping with loss and types of grief

Year 10

• Transition to KS4 and setting goals 

• Stress management and self-regulation 

• What a work-life balance looks like 

• Types of work, ways to earn money and finding guidance 

• Your rights when buying and selling online 

• Gambling risks and consequences

Year 11

• Revisiting and recapping mental health

• Self regulation and managing stress 

• What a work-life balance looks like 

• Pregnancy, early signs of pregnancy and choices

• Routes to parenthood; adoption

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