PSHE

PSHE Rationale

At our school, PSHE aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members, and members of a diverse society.

Our PSHE curriculum is designed to:
- Support students' personal development and well-being.
- Help them make safe, informed, and healthy decisions.
- Prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.
- Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The intent of our PSHE programme is to develop confident, resilient, and respectful young people who understand themselves and the world around them. It underpins our wider work on safeguarding, behaviour, mental health, careers education, and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Curriculum Aims

Through our PSHE curriculum, students will:
- Develop the knowledge and language to understand and manage their physical and mental health.
- Explore and form healthy, respectful relationships, including online and offline.
- Learn about their rights, responsibilities, and the law.
- Gain financial literacy and prepare for economic independence.
- Understand the choices and pathways available to them, including further education, apprenticeships, and work.

PSHE is a flexible subject, and I adapt my lessons to reflect current themes, making them as relevant and engaging as possible. By addressing key topics such as drug education, healthy lifestyles, careers, sex education, rights and responsibilities, emotional well-being, and personal finance, I aim to empower students to make informed, values-driven decisions that serve their highest potential in all areas of life.

The goal is for students to leave with an ASDAN qualification in Personal and Social Development at Level 1 or 2. This qualification, achieved through coursework rather than exams, offers students the opportunity to progress at their own pace, with different levels of achievement available, from Entry Level 1-3 to the highest Level 1 & 2, which are equivalent to GCSEs.

The units in Personal and Social Development (PSD) complement the core themes of the PSHE Association's Programme of Study - Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World. These themes allow me to tailor the content to each student's individual abilities and needs, helping them achieve either an award or certificate in the subject.

My aim is to ensure that each student develops the emotional intelligence, resilience, and practical skills they need to thrive. This qualification not only prepares them for the world around them but also provides the necessary points to continue their education at a higher level, giving them the foundation to pursue future opportunities in college and beyond.

Key Stage 4

  • With a focus on the Careers Education strand of the Key Stage 4 PSHE curriculum, all students are given the opportunity to be well-prepared for life beyond school, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their futures. Our curriculum helps students explore career pathways, develop employability skills, and engage in meaningful experiences of the workplace.

  • To ensure students understand the range of education, training, and employment opportunities available to them post-16 and post-18.

    To build students’ confidence and competence in applying for further education or employment through practical activities such as CV writing and interview preparation.

    To promote equality of opportunity and challenge stereotypes in relation to jobs and careers.

    To develop transferable employability skills, including communication, resilience, goal setting, and self-reflection.

Implementation

The Careers module is delivered through a series of structured PSHE lessons, workshops, and enrichment activities, including:

    • Researching and understanding different post-16 routes: A Levels, BTECs, apprenticeships, T-Levels, and vocational options.

    • Setting SMART career goals and identifying steps to achieve them.

    • Analysing strengths and building on employability skills to match desired career options

    • Understanding the purpose and structure of a CV.

    • Identifying and articulating personal strengths, experiences, and achievements.

    • Drafting and refining a professional CV using feedback.

    • Preparation for interviews: personal presentation, answering common questions, and body language.

    • Participating in mock interviews with staff, external employers, or local business volunteers.

    • Reflecting on feedback to improve communication and self-presentation skills.

IMPACT

IMPACT

Students leave Key Stage 4 with:

  • A clear understanding of their post-16 options and a personal plan for their next steps.

  • A completed CV tailored to their skills and aspirations.

  • First-hand experience of an interview setting, boosting confidence and readiness for real-world applications.

This curriculum supports students’ personal development and aligns with national expectations for Careers Education and the PSHE Association framework. It also contributes to whole-school outcomes including positive destinations and completing a unit towards their PSD qualification.