PSHE - Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
Primary
Years: Building Foundations for Life
In the primary years (Reception through Year
6), PSHE (personal, social, hygiene/health, emotional education) is a central
part of the school week, with dedicated time set aside for every class to
explore key personal, social, and emotional themes. Our approach is
age-appropriate, nurturing, and inclusive, ensuring all children feel safe to
share, ask questions, and learn about themselves and others.
Reception and Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2):
At this early stage, the focus is on helping
children understand emotions, friendships, and routines. Through storytelling,
role-play, and interactive activities, pupils learn to identify their feelings,
manage anger or sadness, and communicate kindly with others. Topics such as
kindness, sharing, recognising bullying behaviours, and telling a trusted adult
are introduced gently and reinforced regularly. Basic health, hygiene (like
handwashing and dental care), and an introduction to staying safe (including
asking for help) form part of their early learning.
Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6):
As pupils mature, the PSHE curriculum
gradually expands. They begin to explore topics like peer pressure,
self-esteem, diversity and inclusion, and how to respond to bullying — both
in-person and online. Digital safety is introduced early, with guidance on
using passwords, recognising ‘stranger danger’ online, and understanding that
not everything on the internet is true.
In Years 5 and 6, pupils take part in more
in-depth discussions around growing up, including an introduction to puberty
and the physical and emotional changes it brings. These lessons are sensitively
delivered, with clear communication to parents ahead of time. Children learn
about body privacy, consent in an age-appropriate way, and how to respect
themselves and others. They are also taught to recognise trustworthy sources
online, laying the groundwork for later work on misinformation.
Weekly PSHE in primary not only equips children with essential life skills but also strengthens their ability to reflect, empathise, and take responsibility — key qualities that will serve them well as they move into secondary education.
Lower
Secondary: Strengthening Awareness and Respect (Years 7–9)
PSHE lessons in Years 7 to 9 are delivered
weekly by experienced and trusted members of staff, to ensure continuity,
expertise, and a safe learning environment. These sessions build on the
foundations of primary PSHE while introducing more mature and complex topics
that are essential for healthy adolescent development.
Students explore emotional literacy,
resilience, mental health, and managing stress, with lessons carefully
structured to promote openness, mutual respect, and thoughtful discussion. A
significant focus is placed on relationships — including understanding
boundaries, developing empathy, and the meaning of consent within friendships
and romantic contexts.
From Year 7 onward, we introduce
age-appropriate sex education, including how to prevent sexually transmitted
infections (STIs), the importance of contraception (both male and female), and
where to seek advice or help. These sessions are factual, inclusive, and rooted
in safeguarding best practices.
Students also revisit internet safety and
learn to critically evaluate online information, including spotting
misinformation, understanding echo chambers, and how to respond to harmful
content or cyberbullying.
A respectful, non-judgmental atmosphere is maintained at all times, with discussions moderated by staff trained to manage sensitive topics and encourage student voice.
GCSE
Years: Preparing for Adult Choices (Years 10–11)
As students enter Years 10 and 11, PSHE
lessons become even more relevant to their current experiences and the
challenges of young adulthood. Weekly sessions, again led by senior staff,
encourage deeper reflection and practical learning about mental health,
resilience under pressure, and making informed life decisions.
Sexual health education includes discussions
around STIs, consent in intimate relationships, the emotional aspects of sex,
contraception options, and the law. Respect for personal boundaries, gender
identity, and sexual orientation is embedded throughout, fostering an inclusive
and accepting school culture.
Students also tackle advanced topics such as
online reputation, digital consent, gambling risks, and substance misuse.
Lessons address moral reasoning and introduce ethical dilemmas — for example,
debates on abortion, animal testing, and the use of embryos in scientific
research. These sessions aim to develop critical thinking while maintaining a
calm and respectful environment where multiple viewpoints can be considered
without conflict.
Careers, financial literacy, and preparation
for further education or apprenticeships are woven into the curriculum, helping
students feel confident as they transition beyond school.
A-Level:
Becoming Responsible, Thoughtful Adults (Years 12–13)
PSHE continues into Sixth Form with weekly
sessions focused on the transition to adult life, university, or the workplace.
These lessons are often discussion-based and led by senior tutors or sixth-form
leaders, fostering a more seminar-style environment where independent thinking
and respectful dialogue are encouraged.
Topics include maintaining healthy
relationships, navigating independence, emotional wellbeing, and managing adult
responsibilities such as finances, housing, and health care. Students revisit
sexual health and consent with a more mature lens — including STI prevention,
the impact of alcohol and drugs on decision-making, and understanding long-term
relationship dynamics.
Advanced ethical and moral debates are central
to the curriculum. Students explore dilemmas such as genetic engineering, human
cloning, the use of artificial intelligence, and the ethics of scientific
experimentation. These discussions are designed not only to inform but to
challenge assumptions and build respectful debate skills.
Media literacy remains a priority, with students examining misinformation, deepfakes, propaganda, and the influence of algorithms on belief systems. By the end of Sixth Form, learners are equipped to engage with the world as thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate young adults.