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PSHE

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)

At Washwood Heath Academy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is central to our commitment to developing confident, respectful and responsible young people. It plays a vital role in preparing pupils for life in modern Britain and supports them to become active, informed and resilient members of society.

Our PSHE curriculum is underpinned by our school ethos of HEARTS (Happiness, Excellence, Achievement, Respect, Tolerance and Self-Belief), our Trust vision of developing contributing, articulate, discerning, happy and healthy citizens, and our commitment to being a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. Through this, pupils are supported to understand their rights, responsibilities and place within a diverse and global community.

Curriculum Overview

PSHE is a timetabled curriculum subject delivered to all pupils, alongside a wider Personal Development programme that includes:

  • A structured assembly programme
  • Weekly form time sessions
  • Targeted sessions through external providers and partnerships
  • Enrichment opportunities and Character Days

The curriculum is carefully sequenced from Year 7 through to Sixth Form to ensure a spiralling programme that builds knowledge, understanding and skills over time.

In line with statutory guidance, our curriculum covers three core themes:

Health and Wellbeing

Pupils learn how to maintain their physical and mental health, manage risk, build resilience and make informed choices. This includes mental health education, healthy lifestyles, and strategies to cope with challenges such as stress and anxiety.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

Delivered in line with statutory requirements, this strand supports pupils to build positive, respectful relationships, understand consent, recognise unhealthy behaviours and stay safe both offline and online.

Living in the Wider World

This area prepares pupils for life beyond school, including careers education, financial literacy, economic understanding and their role as citizens in society.

Wider Personal Development

PSHE is part of a wider programme that promotes:

  • British Values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance
  • Careers education aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks
  • Character development, including the use of Character Folders to capture and reflect on personal growth
  • Student leadership and pupil voice, enabling pupils to contribute meaningfully to school life
  • Safeguarding and online safety, ensuring pupils can navigate risks confidently

Approach and Impact

Our approach ensures that pupils:

  • Develop the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions
  • Build the confidence to seek help and support when needed
  • Understand how to respect others and value diversity
  • Are prepared for next steps in education, employment and training

Learning is reinforced through discussion, reflection and real-life application, enabling pupils to retain and apply their understanding beyond the classroom.

Partnerships and Support

We work closely with a range of external partners to enhance delivery, including health services, careers providers and specialist organisations. As part of our commitment to mental health and wellbeing, we are part of the NewStart programme, which supports early identification and intervention for pupils experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties.

Further Support and Information

Parents and carers may find the following organisations helpful for further information and support:

Working in Partnership with Parents

We recognise the importance of working closely with parents and carers. We aim to keep families informed about the content of our PSHE curriculum and provide opportunities for engagement, particularly in relation to Relationships and Sex Education.