Throughout Key Stage 3, your Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education will help you develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes you need to manage your life now and in the future. The curriculum is built upon three core themes: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World.
You will explore a wide range of topics, including the transition to secondary school, building positive relationships, and understanding diversity and inclusion. We will investigate online safety, including managing your digital footprint and addressing cyberbullying. Your learning will cover physical and mental health, including puberty, body image, self-esteem, and the importance of self-care. We will also introduce vital life skills such as basic First Aid, money management, and exploring future career aspirations. As you progress into Year 9, these topics deepen to cover consent, safe sex, the risks of vaping and substance misuse, and complex issues like FGM and domestic abuse, preparing you for the challenges ahead.
A key focus across all topics is the development of your oracy and reading skills. Through structured discussions, debates, and presentations, you will learn to express your own ideas confidently and listen respectfully to others. You will also engage with a variety of texts, case studies, and articles to deepen your understanding, enhance your critical thinking, and build empathy for different perspectives.
Your PSHCE lessons are intrinsically linked to the Abbey Character values. You will show Aspiration by setting personal goals, exploring career paths, and building the confidence to make informed choices for your future. Benevolence is fostered by learning about positive relationships, diversity, and community, encouraging you to act with kindness, empathy, and respect. You will develop Belief in yourself and others by exploring topics like self-care, equality, and healthy relationships, strengthening your confidence and your commitment to an inclusive community. The curriculum encourages Excellence by empowering you to look after your own wellbeing and that of others, striving to be the best you can be in your personal development. Finally, you will develop Youth Leadership by learning to make responsible decisions, stand up for what is right, and take a lead in making positive choices for yourself and your peers.
PSHCE provides a safe space to reflect on some of life's big questions. You will consider questions about self, such as: Who am I and what are my strengths? How can I look after my own mental and physical health? What are my goals for the future and how can I achieve them?
You will explore questions about others, including: What makes a healthy relationship? How can I show respect and empathy for people who are different from me? What is my role and responsibility within my community? How can I support others who are facing challenges?
The curriculum encourages you to find beauty in diversity, in healthy and respectful relationships, and in the strength of a supportive community. It helps you question societal pressures and develop a positive sense of your own self-worth.
Through topics like social justice, community responsibility, and exploring different values, you will have the opportunity to ponder questions of morality and God, such as: What is my purpose? What are the values that guide my life? How can I contribute to a fairer and more just world for everyone?
Your understanding and progress in PSHCE will be assessed in a variety of ways to capture your development holistically. A significant focus is on oracy, using the Voice 21 framework to evaluate your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and respectfully in group discussions, presentations, and debates. Assessment will also include written reflections, practical tasks like creating posters or self-care plans, and analysis of case studies. This multi-faceted approach, combining self, peer, and teacher feedback, ensures we get a full picture of your learning and development.
Continuing with PSHCE in Key Stage 4 is a vital part of your education, as it equips you with the tools to navigate the increasing complexities of life as you mature. The curriculum builds directly on the foundations you developed in Key Stage 3, tackling more advanced topics relevant to young adulthood. It provides essential knowledge on financial literacy, managing risks, mental health, and preparing for your next steps in education and employment, ensuring you leave school as a confident, well-rounded, and responsible individual.
In Key Stage 4, your PSHCE learning is focused on preparing you for the responsibilities and decisions of young adulthood. The curriculum continues to be structured around the core themes of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World, exploring them in greater depth.
You will develop crucial life skills in financial literacy, learning about budgeting, tax, national insurance, and how to read a payslip. The curriculum addresses serious contemporary issues such as knife crime, extremism, and human trafficking. We will explore relationships and mental health at a mature level, covering the impact of pornography, consent, unplanned pregnancy, exam stress, and loss and bereavement. You will also learn about key health topics including cancer awareness and the menopause, and will consolidate your First Aid skills.
Oracy and reading remain central to your learning. You will use advanced oracy skills to debate complex issues, analyse information critically, and articulate your viewpoints with confidence. Reading will involve engaging with more complex and sensitive materials, such as case studies, news reports, and health resources, to develop your analytical skills and emotional literacy.
At KS4, PSHCE continues to be central to your character development. You will demonstrate Aspiration by learning practical skills for financial independence and making responsible choices that support your future goals. You will cultivate Benevolence by exploring complex issues like migration and knife crime, fostering empathy and a desire to contribute positively to the safety and wellbeing of your community. Your Belief in yourself and the importance of an inclusive society is strengthened by challenging discrimination, examining global injustices like genocide, and building the confidence to make responsible decisions. You will strive for Excellence by taking responsibility for your own health, learning how to support others, and navigating adult relationships with integrity. The curriculum fosters Youth Leadership by empowering you to manage exam stress, set healthy boundaries in relationships, and reject harmful behaviours, demonstrating leadership in your personal conduct.
In KS4, PSHCE challenges you to think deeply about your place in the world. You will consider questions about self: How do I manage stress and look after my mental health during my exams and beyond? What are my responsibilities as I learn to drive and manage my own money? How do I make choices that keep me safe and align with my values?
You will explore complex questions about others: How do media and pornography shape our views on relationships? How do I support a friend who is struggling with their mental health? What are my responsibilities as a citizen to understand and challenge injustice?
You will be encouraged to find beauty in acts of social responsibility, in caring for others, and in relationships built on mutual respect and open communication, questioning the often-unrealistic portrayals seen in media.
Through topics such as Holocaust Memorial Day and human trafficking, you will confront profound questions related to humanity and God: What lessons can we learn from history about prejudice and intolerance? What is our moral duty to protect the vulnerable? What values should guide our society?
Assessment at Key Stage 4 is designed to reflect the mature and practical nature of the topics covered. You will be assessed through your contributions to discussions and debates, practical tasks such as budgeting exercises, and your analysis of different scenarios and case studies. You may be asked to produce written reflections, create informational resources for your peers, or deliver presentations on key topics. These varied methods, combined with teacher and peer feedback, allow you to demonstrate your understanding, critical thinking, and communication skills effectively.
While PSHCE is not an A-level subject itself, the skills and knowledge you gain are highly valued in further education and all career paths. You will develop essential employability skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, empathy, and financial literacy. Understanding topics like mental health, diversity, and community safety is directly relevant for careers in healthcare, social care, education, law enforcement, and counselling. The ability to manage your wellbeing, understand taxation, and communicate effectively will provide a solid foundation for success in any A-level course, apprenticeship, or future career you choose.
At KS5, you will embody the Abbey Character values as you prepare to leave our community. Aspiration is central, as you learn the practical skills needed for successful independent living and responsible citizenship. Benevolence is shown through learning to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, understanding human rights, and developing the empathy to support friends through difficult times. You will consolidate your Belief in your own values, in your ability to make responsible choices, and in the importance of creating a just and tolerant society. You will demonstrate Excellence by taking a proactive approach to your own mental and physical health, striving for healthy relationships, and supporting the wellbeing of those around you. Ultimately, the KS5 curriculum prepares you for Youth Leadership, empowering you to engage in civic life, make positive choices, and act as a role model and compassionate leader in the wider world.
In your final years at Abbey Grange, PSHCE prompts sophisticated reflection. You will ask questions of yourself: What kind of adult do I want to become? How do I build a healthy, balanced, and independent life? How can I manage my own wellbeing and resilience in the face of life's challenges? What are the core values that will guide my decisions?
You will consider profound questions about others: How do I build lasting, healthy, and intimate relationships? What is my responsibility to support others in crisis, such as friends dealing with loss or poor mental health? How do I contribute to a society that upholds human rights and protects the vulnerable from exploitation?
You will find beauty in the complexities of adult relationships, in the resilience of the human spirit, and in taking action as a global citizen to create a more sustainable and just world.
You will have the space to contemplate questions of ethics, purpose and God as you prepare for your future, asking: What does it mean to live a good life? What is my role in the democratic process and in caring for our planet? How do I navigate the major life events of partnership, parenthood, and loss with integrity and compassion?
In your final years at Abbey Grange, PSHCE prompts sophisticated reflection. You will ask questions of yourself: What kind of adult do I want to become? How do I build a healthy, balanced, and independent life? How can I manage my own wellbeing and resilience in the face of life's challenges? What are the core values that will guide my decisions?
You will consider profound questions about others: How do I build lasting, healthy, and intimate relationships? What is my responsibility to support others in crisis, such as friends dealing with loss or poor mental health? How do I contribute to a society that upholds human rights and protects the vulnerable from exploitation?
You will find beauty in the complexities of adult relationships, in the resilience of the human spirit, and in taking action as a global citizen to create a more sustainable and just world.
You will have the space to contemplate questions of ethics, purpose and God as you prepare for your future, asking: What does it mean to live a good life? What is my role in the democratic process and in caring for our planet? How do I navigate the major life events of partnership, parenthood, and loss with integrity and compassion?
Assessment at Key Stage 5 mirrors the high-level skills you will need in your future. Your learning will be assessed through advanced oracy tasks, such as formal debates, structured discussions, and presentations on complex topics. You will also be assessed on your ability to analyse legal case studies and research reports, create resources for others (e.g. mental health guides), and participate in role-play scenarios to demonstrate practical skills like de-escalation. These assessments are designed to develop your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills to a high level.
The PSHCE programme at KS5 is an essential part of your preparation for university, apprenticeships, and your future career. The advanced communication, critical analysis, and emotional intelligence skills you develop are precisely what universities and employers are looking for. You will build a strong understanding of issues directly relevant to numerous degree courses and professions, including law, medicine, social work, teaching, psychology, politics, and international relations. The practical knowledge you gain in areas like budgeting, mental health awareness, and risk management will not only support your immediate transition but will also be invaluable throughout your entire adult and professional life.
