PSHCE

Belong 

In alignment with our vision, the PSHCE curriculum provides an inclusive and cohesive education that improves lives and strengthens communities. It advances education so that students lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. 

The curriculum is structured around six core themes, which are revisited and deepened through Key Stages 3 and 4 (through our spiral curriculum). These strands provide a coherent, progressive curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills and values needed to thrive in modern life. 

Planning for My Future 
This strand supports the statutory requirement for careers education, preparation for adulthood and economic wellbeing. Students learn about future pathways, financial decision-making, employability skills and personal goal-setting, ensuring they are well-prepared for life beyond school. 

Living in the Wider-World 
Through this strand, students develop an understanding of their roles, rights and responsibilities in society. It covers statutory themes including online safety, media literacy, equality, diversity and the law, helping students understand how to navigate an increasingly complex world as informed, responsible citizens. 

Keeping Safe 
This strand meets statutory expectations related to safeguarding, personal safety, online risk, consent, boundaries, and recognising unsafe situations. Students learn how to protect themselves and others, how to seek help, and how to make informed, safe choices in a range of contexts both on and offline. 

Staying Healthy 
Meeting the statutory requirements for physical and mental health education, this strand teaches students about healthy lifestyles, emotional wellbeing, substance misuse, sleep, nutrition and habits that contribute to long-term health. It supports students in developing self-regulation, resilience and help-seeking behaviours. 

Life in Modern Britain 
This strand addresses statutory content related to citizenship, British values, democracy, the rule of law, human rights and community cohesion. Students learn about their place within local, national and global communities, encouraging respect, participation and social responsibility. 

Relationships and Sexual Health Education 
Aligned fully with statutory RSHE, this strand teaches students about healthy relationships, consent, families, friendships, sexual health, puberty, reproductive health, and respect for self and others. It promotes inclusive, age-appropriate understanding, supporting students to form healthy, safe relationships throughout their lives. 

Together, these six strands ensure that all statutory PSHE and RSHE content is delivered in a structured, sequenced and age-appropriate way, supporting our commitment to developing confident, safe, healthy and well-informed young people. The curriculum is inclusive and responsive, providing a safe space for students to explore values, beliefs and challenges relevant to their lives.   

Resilience is built through reflection and problem-solving; Responsibility through decision-making and goal setting; Empathy through relationship education and diversity awareness; and Respect through tolerance, inclusion and understanding of others.   

Thrive 

The PSHCE department incorporates retrieval practice to reinforce key concepts across all strands. Our spiral curriculum connects ideas between topics such as wellbeing, relationships and responsibilities, helping students to apply knowledge holistically. Spaced repetition and reflection promote long-term retention of core messages, while cognitive load theory ensures new or sensitive content is introduced in manageable and developmentally appropriate steps.   

Implementation includes coherent sequencing, adaptive delivery and ongoing assessment. Teaching methods include discussion, case studies, reflection, role-play, groupwork and project-based learning. Teachers use formative assessment and reflection time to gauge understanding and support personal growth. Cross-curricular links strengthen connections with subjects such as Science, Geography, Citizenship and PE, ensuring coherence across the wider-curriculum.   

Resilience is encouraged through open dialogue and self-reflection; Responsibility through setting personal and community goals; Empathy through exploring diverse experiences; and Respect through maintaining inclusive, safe and supportive classroom environments.   

Achieve 

Students leave Edgar Wood Academy as confident, self-aware and active citizens who understand how to maintain wellbeing, build healthy relationships and engage positively with their communities. They can evaluate information, manage risk and make decisions that contribute to their own and others’ happiness and safety.  

The PSHCE curriculum embodies the Academy’s values and reflects the Trust’s mission to advance education that empowers young people to lead fulfilling lives and make positive contributions to society. It promotes equality, wellbeing and active citizenship, ensuring every student develops the confidence and compassion to thrive in an ever-changing world.