Welcome to Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE)

Why do we learn Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE)?
Head of Department
Our approach
Primary
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Secondary
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Year 13

Why do we learn Personal, Social, Health and Emotional Education (PSHE)?

At Ark Academy, we deliver our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic) education through Life Lessons, a modern, discussion-led curriculum designed to embed skills, confidence and wellbeing across the school journey.

Why Life Lessons?

  • It offers a fully scaffolded, spiral programme of learning, updated regularly so it remains responsive to young people’s lives.
  • Lessons are centered on student voice: pupils’ own perspectives and experiences are front and centre, often via short videos of real young people, which model honest conversation and invite reflection.
  • Rich teacher support is built in: every lesson comes with guidance, suggested discussion questions, scaffolding for different learners, and ongoing CPD for staff.
  • The approach is inclusive by design: it accommodates diverse learners, is SEND-friendly, and offers differentiation to ensure meaningful access for all.
  • Beyond lessons, the package includes form-time / “in the news” resources, behaviour interventions and leadership support.

Head of Department

Vice Principal: Careers Lead

Mr O'Carroll

s.ocarroll@arkacademy.org
Assistant Principal: Primary School Safeguarding Lead and Personal Development Lead

Ms Sidhu

a.sidhu@arkacademy.org

Our approach

Through this curriculum we aim for all students to:

  • Build self-awareness, self-regulation, resilience and emotional literacy
  • Develop skills for healthy relationships, empathy, communication, and conflict resolution
  • Acquire factual knowledge and critical thinking around physical health, mental wellbeing, identity, digital life, consent, and safety
  • Experience continuity: the curriculum is intentionally progressive, connecting key themes over time to reinforce learning
  • Be active contributors: student voice, reflection, debate and experience shape how topics are explored

Primary

At Ark Academy, we value the non-academic side of learning as much as the academic. Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic education is critical to how we ensure that our mission is achieved. We aim for “every child to go to further education – or the career of their choice – and play a full role in our democratic society”. The aims of the curriculum are supported by our key value: Civitas. This underpins notions of kindness, care for others, being part of a wider society and keeping ourselves safe.  

Year 1

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Meet your emotions

My healthy mind tool kit

We are all important

Taking care of my body

Enjoying the online world

Feeling safe online

Getting help when we're online

Choosing when to share online

Finding a balance online
Spring 1 Spring 2

Celebrating ourselves

Celebrating our similarities and differences

How can we help everyone to feel included at our school?

Sensitive and special parts of our bodies (Y1)

How can we walk to fun places safely?

How can we stay safe and have fun at home?

How can we stay safe whilst out and about?

Being safe everywhere!
 [Contextual]
Summer 1 Summer 2

Will I be good at something straight away?

What is money and where does it come from?

Can we buy everything we want?

How do families look after each other?

How do I feel when I am safe?

How can I be kind and respectful to friends and family?

What makes a great friend?

All Year 1 subjects 

Year 2

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

How many emotions are there?

Change and loss are part of life

Delicious food fuels my body!

The right way to get things wrong

Do we all need the same things to stay healthy?
 [Contextual]

Choosing what we do online

How can I talk to people safely and kindly online?

Sharing photos and videos

Spotting lies and what to do about it

How to be a great web searcher
Spring 1 Spring 2

Every family is special!

What helps us to be ourselves? (challenging stereotypes)

Rules help to keep us safe, and keep things fair.

How our bodies change as we get older
 (Include naming genitals)

Sensitive and special parts of our bodies (Y1)

Keeping clean and healthy

How can I stay safe around medicine and chemicals?
 

How can we be helpful in an emergency?

I love my teeth! What can we do to keep them healthy?

Staying safe online recap
 [Recap]
Summer 1 Summer 2

What are we good at?

What skills might I have in the future?
 [Greater depth]

What makes someone good at a job?

Why do people have jobs?

Fun surprises, uncomfortable secrets

Making decisions that feel good for me

How can we make our school a happy place for everyone? (inclusion and anti-bullying)

How can we tell if someone is a friend or a stranger?

Transition Lesson

All Year 2 subjects  

Year 3

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

We all have powerful emotions

How many ways are there to exercise?

A healthy and mindful week
 [Recap]

I am wonderful!

Healthy online friendships

Feeling uncomfortable online

Wellbeing in an online world

Choosing what to do and what to share

Deciding who to trust online

What would a perfect online world be like?
 [Recap]
Spring 1 Spring 2

The amazing cultures in our class and community.

How do we treat everyone kindly and with respect?

How can we include everyone?

How can we care for our world?

Sensitive and special parts of our bodies (Adapt Y1)

Can I remember how to stay healthy?
 [Recap]

How can I enjoy a walk or a cycle near roads and railways?

How can I prepare for an adventure in all weathers and places?
 [Contextual]

How can I face challenges to have fun and achieve my dreams?
[Greater Depth]
Summer 1 Summer 2

How do we pay for things?

How do we decide when to spend and when to save?

What is the most important thing money can buy?

Does money change how happy we are?

What is does good value for money mean?

What are my hopes and dreams for the future?

What can people do to help their families?

Our bodies belong to us!

Do friends always want the same things?

Should we behave the same way with everyone we meet?

All Year 3 subjects 

Year 4

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Charging our batteries (the importance of sleep)

My strong emotion toolkit

What makes life so amazing? 

Celebrating healthy and delicious food from across the world
[Contextual]
 

Making marvellous mistakes
 [Greater depth]

Who uses the internet?

Using social media safely

Connecting to trusted people online

Is the internet a fair place?

Too good to be true? Spotting online fakes
Spring 1 Spring 2

How does the Equality Act allow us to live our best lives?

How can we keep a positive view of other people?  (Challenging stereotypes)

How can everyone achieve their potential?

How do our values shape our identity?

Do we all have the same values? (British Values)

Why are communities important?
 [Contextual lesson]

How can I take control of my wellbeing?

What are germs and how can I keep them out of my body?

How can I explore natural places safely?
Summer 1 Summer 2

How can we keep our money safe?

What does it mean to be a good citizen?

What jobs are there in our community?

How do I get the job I want?

Can we know what is real online?
[Greater depth]

How can friends help us to be our true selves?

How can I tell people what I want and need kindly?

What do we need when we lose a loved one?

How do the people around us influence us?

Challenging negative influence

All Year 4 subjects  

Year 5

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

How do we look after our mental health?

How can I share what's in my head and heart?

What is special about me?
 [Greater depth]

Red flags online

Deciding what to share online

Comparing ourselves to others on social media

How social media companies use our data

Influence and Power online

Staying safe in group chats

How can I thrive online?
 [Recap]

Considering all of our needs (Supporting neurodiversity)

What does the path to equality look like?
Spring 1 Spring 2

How can we listen to other people's experiences better?

How can we be our true selves? (exploring stereotypes)

Being an amazing ally
 [Greater Depth]

What environments do we need to thrive? (The social model of disability)
 [Greater Depth]

What gives us value?
 [Greater Depth]

How can I make good choices about smoking and vaping?

How do people become addicted?

How can we stay safe around fire?

How can I respond quickly to emergencies?

Staying safe on adventures
 [Recap]
Summer 1 Summer 2

What does a healthy friendship feel like?

How does it feel when relationships change?

How do we fix a friendship that has gone wrong? (Conflict resolution)

How do people choose when to buy something?

How can we be responsible shoppers?
 [Greater depth]

How can we help our communities other than by working?

How can I match my skills with a job that I love?
 [Greater depth]

What is puberty?

What is menstruation?

Why do we need to clean more during puberty?

All Year 5 subjects  

Year 6

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Change is important

How can I stay as healthy as possible for my whole life?

Staying regulated
 [Greater depth]

Power and friendship online

Discrimination online

Motivation and manipulation online

Do I live in an echo chamber?

Can I spot an online fake?

What are the dangers of misinformation?
 [Greater Depth]

What are my dreams for my future, and how do I get there?

What skills do I need to do the things I want to do?

How much money is enough to have a good life?
 [Greater depth]

How can we protect our money?

How do I manage my money day-to-day?
 [Greater depth]
Spring 1 Spring 2

How can we appreciate and respect people without judgement? (Challenging unconscious bias)

Why is our heritage important?

What do we need to feel like we belong?

Why is it important to love authentically?

How do we express our identity?

How can we build healthy communities?

Why do some people drink alcohol?

What are the facts about drugs?

Why are vaccines so important?

How can I perform basic first aid?
 

What does a healthy romantic relationship feel like?

What skills do people need to stay in a healthy relationship for a long time?
Summer 1 Summer 2

Communicating boundaries and needs clearly (Consent)

How do we surround ourselves with people who respect and care about us?

How can we help each other to grow and be our true selves?
 [Greater depth]

How can we stay true to ourselves, whilst learning from other people?
 [Greater depth]

How are our emotions affected by puberty?

How do our bodies change during puberty?

How do males and females change during puberty?

Do you ever feel pressure to look a certain way?

Sexual reproduction (optional)

Reflections:
How does it feel to finish primary school?
 [Greater depth]

Change:
What will change, when we go to secondary school?
 [Greater depth]

Readiness:
How do I prepare myself for secondary school?
 [Greater depth]

Independence:
How do I take responsibility for my wellbeing?
 [Greater depth]

All Year 6 subjects  

Secondary

From Years 7 through 13, our PSHE curriculum is delivered via Life Lessons, a dynamic, discussion-based programme that ensures continuity, relevance, and depth. Below we outline the core themes and how we explore them at secondary level:

Core Themes & Focus Areas

1. Health, Wellbeing & Self
Understanding mental health, emotional resilience, stress, self-regulation and self-care
Physical health: lifestyle choices, sleep, nutrition, exercise, first aid and safety
Identity, self-image, body changes, puberty, sexual health and consent
Digital wellbeing: online identity, screen time, social media pressures, misinformation

2. Relationships & Communication
Healthy relationships: boundaries, respect, consent, communication and conflict resolution
Friendship, peer influence, family dynamics, and love & intimacy
Managing online relationships, safe behaviour, harassment, and exploitation
Diversity, inclusion, respect for differences, identity, and challenging stereotypes

3. Living in the Wider World & Aspirations
Economic wellbeing: budgeting, financial decisions, consumer pressures
Careers, future pathways, skills for work, goal-setting and planning
Media literacy and critical thinking: how to evaluate messages, pressure, misinformation
Rights, responsibilities and citizenship: community, social justice, values, law

Year 7

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Transitioning to Secondary School Identity [Exploring Identities, Similarities and Differences]
Spring 1 Spring 2
Community & Diversity Health Influeneces & Body Awareness
Summer 1 Summer 2
Independence & personal Safety Aspirations & Money

All Year 7 subjects  

Year 8

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Building Positive Relationships Relationships: Friendships and Romantic Relationships
Spring 1 Spring 2
Citizenship & Social Action [First Give Competition] Citizenship & Social Action [First Give Competition]
Summer 1 Summer 2
Emotional Wellbeing & Body Awareness Aspirations & Money

All Year 8 subjects  

Year 9

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Year 9 Transition: Changes in Life, Mental health 7 wellbeing Identity: Peer pressure, Exploitation & Knife Crime
Spring 1 Spring 2
Ark Ambitions: GCSE Pathways & Choices Community: Discrimination, racism and Prejudice
Summer 1 Summer 2
Health & Body Awareness [Body Image, Body Changes, and Consent] Independence & Personal Safety, Money & Aspirations

All Year 9 subjects  

Year 10

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Wellbeing: Mental Health & Mental Wellbeing Relationships: Civil partnerships, Marriage, Parenting, Families, Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships inc. abusive relationships and sexual violence
Spring 1 Spring 2
Relationships [Consent & Sexual Harassment] Independence & Influence
Summer 1 Summer 2
Wellbeing: Rights, Media Influence, Mental Wellbeing & Addiction Aspirations & Money

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Design Technology

Year 11

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Yr11 Transition: Adulthood & Self-Worth. Ark Ambitions [Informed Choices at Post-16]
Spring 1 Spring 2
Identity: Identity & Mental Health [Gender Norms and Gender indentity] Healthy Lifestyle: Body Awareness, Body Image, Consent & sexual Health
Summer 1 Summer 2
Effective Study Skills & GCSE Revision  

All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Design Technology

Year 12

Autumn 1 Autumn 2

Transition to Sixth Form

Personal Finance [Systems for Life]

 Vision for the future  & Activism [Community & Causes]
ring 1 Spring 2
Healthy Relationships and Emotional Maturity Personal safety [Drugs, Alcohol & Addiction]
Summer 1 Summer 2
Work Readiness [Living in the Wider World] Independent revision & UCAS Preperation

All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Business Studies

Year 13

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Personal Safety Work Readiness
Spring 1 Spring 2
Difficult Relationships [Abuse, Bullying & Harassment]

Effective revision habits

Health Awareness & Support [FGM, Body Awareness & STIs]
Summer 1 Summer 2

Preparing for University

Study Skills and Independent Revision

  

All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Business Studies