Lifeskills
(PSHE - RSE)
The PSHE and RSE curriculum is carefully sequenced from Year 9 to Year 11 to ensure pupils develop the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive both in and beyond school. It is fully compliant with statutory RSE requirements and explicitly promotes British Values and the Protected Characteristics of the Equality Act (2010). The curriculum is structured around three key strands – Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World – and is enhanced by termly enrichment such as Stand Against Violence workshops and the THRIVE framework for personal development.
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Progression is built in year-on-year: pupils begin by developing self-awareness, personal identity, and strategies for managing change, before moving on to complex themes such as consent, online safety, mental health, financial decision-making, and preparation for adulthood. Lessons are knowledge-rich, underpinned by clear subject vocabulary, and supported by practical skills such as first aid, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
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By the end of KS4, students are equipped with the ability to make informed, safe, and ethical choices in their personal lives, relationships, and future careers. They will have the resilience, empathy, and critical thinking skills needed to navigate modern society responsibly, whilst understanding their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of respect for diversity
Health and wellbeing
The Health and wellbeing core theme of PSHE (RSE) education teaches knowledge and skills related to healthy lifestyles, including food choices, exercise, sleep and dental health; mental health; drugs and alcohol; first aid and emergency life-saving skills; sexual health and fertility; managing risk and personal safety. This education directly supports children to be mentally and physically healthy, which in turn supports their education outcomes.
Relationships
The Relationships core theme of PSHE (RSE) education includes learning about positive friendships; bullying and unsafe relationships; relationships values; marriage and parenting; consent; and how to safely engage in relationships online. As outlined in the Sex Education Forum’s review of the evidence base for relationships and sex education, this education supports young people to develop healthy relationships with others, and reduces a range of harms to children and young people, including: reducing sexual violence; making it more likely that first sex is delayed and consensual; increasing the likelihood of safe sexual health practices, and increasing the chances that young people seek help should they experience harm. In 2020, the government introduced a statutory requirement for schools to cover Relationships and Sex education content alongside Health Education at key stages 3 and 4.
Living in the wider world
The Living in the wider world core theme of PSHE education prepares young people for adulthood, by covering learning about economic wellbeing; career pathways and choices, including GCSE options and work experience; digital and media literacy; young people’s rights in the community; and social issues such as extremism and radicalisation.
Students are awarded with AQA Unit Award Certificates as shown below:
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Year 9
Term 1 - 121632 Employment – Problem solving skills
Term 2 - 111640 The nature of friendships
Term 3 - 118898 Mental wellbeing
Term 4 - 118903 Drugs alcohol tobacco
Term 5 - 118895 Being safe
Term 6 - 110842 Sex puberty STDs
Year 10
Term 1 - 121651 The world I live in
Term 2 - 121651 The world I live in
Term 3 - 118892 Families
Term 4 - 118899 Internet safety and harm
Term 5 - 112007 Investigating careers
Term 6 - 112007 Investigating careers
Year 11
Term 1 - 111406 Respecting difference in people
Term 2 - 121214 Understanding sexual relationships
Term 3 – 117474 Relationships and sexuality
The above is an example of our learning journey, the running order can be adapted depending on student need.