Rationale
At Haslingden High School our PSHEE curriculum is relevant with meaningful content enabling students to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society, now and in later life. It encourages students to take safe risks by building their confidence in, and understanding of a wide range of topics and themes that are well-planned and sequenced throughout key stages 3 and 4.
Our approach to Citizenship is to provide our students with the knowledge and understanding to be able to develop the “whole child”. We are able to provide our students with a deep understanding of the diverse world around them which will ultimately benefit them in all areas of their education and the wider curriculum, and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and their communities.
Our Relationships and Sex and Health Education enables our children to learn how to be safe and healthy and to develop the skills and values that they will need to lead safe, fulfilling, enjoyable relationships. We aim to equip young people with the information to take responsibility for their sexual health and wellbeing.
We have a stable Careers Education programme at Haslingden High School delivered through PSHEE curriculum time. The information and guidance they receive at the different stages of their education journey aims to encourage students to see the relevance of their studies and ultimately obtain a meaningful career or occupation.
Overview
Year 7
Autumn Half Term 1
Signposting – students are given a 3-week introduction to life at Haslingden High School
Basic First Aid – Looking at Basic First Aid Procedures
*Breathe* Sessions – 3 sessions around mindfulness skills and approaches
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 2
Relationships with Others – A focus on friendships and bullying
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 3
Parliament and Voting – a 6-week module looking at the structure of the UK government and national politics
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 4
Health & Puberty (Part 1) – Exploring the impact of caffeine and alcohol and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 5
Health & Puberty (Part 2) – Looking at the male and female reproductive system, how bodies change during puberty, personal hygiene and dental health.
(FGM)
As part of our safeguarding and PSHE curriculum, students receive age-appropriate education about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This learning is delivered sensitively within lessons on health, personal safety and human rights, helping students understand that FGM is illegal in the UK and how to seek help or support if they are concerned.
Lessons are delivered carefully by trained staff and follow national safeguarding guidance. If students have questions or concerns, they are encouraged to speak with a trusted member of staff or access the support available within school.
Half Term 6
Careers and Unifrog – students explore the importance of careers; they use Unifrog to start to build a CV
Financial Decision Making – Develop an understanding of the economy and make decisions around money
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Year 8
Half Term 1
Emotional Health and Wellbeing – the concept of appearance ideals and the impact of social media
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 2
Stereotypes and Discrimination – Recognise and challenge stereotypes of visible differences
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 3
Relationships with Others – Families, friendships and Personal and Intimate Relationships
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 4
Careers – Looking at the importance of skill sets, CVs and the meaning of success
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 5
Physical Health and Fitness/Drugs & Alcohol – the impact of using drugs on the mind and body; prescription drugs and the law around different types of drugs
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Citizenship – How laws are made, the role of police and the criminal justice system
Half Term 6
Online Safety/Child Exploitation – How children and young people are at risk of grooming
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Year 9
Half Term 1
Health and Wellbeing – Attitudes to drug use, Drugs and the Law, Personal Safety and Managing Influences
Heart Start – Basic First Aid training including live demonstration and practicing up-to-date techniques as a class
Contraception – Lancashire Health Services Team discusses the importance of contraception and sexual health
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 2
Respectful Relationships – Bullying, Rights in Relationships, Impact of Gender Stereotypes and Communication in Relationships
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 3
Citizenship and Finance – Explore what it means to be an active citizen, what are active citizenship campaigns and how to manage money and budget
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 4
Careers – Preparing for careers fair, skills at GCSE and career paths, leadership styles and positive workplace behaviours.
Option Choices – Unifrog – CVs – Students add to their CVs and explore pathways to various careers
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 5
Mental and Physical Health – Managing change, reframing negative thoughts, Change, Loss and Grief, Signposting Support and Promoting Wellbeing
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 6
Intimate Relationships – learning about the dynamics of respectful, intimate relationships, signposting and support
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Year 10
Half Term 1
Half Term 1: Positive Sexual Health and Consent Workshop by Lancashire Sexual Health Services Team
Personal Finance- students explore the skills and techniques required to effectively manage personal finances and make informed financial decisions.
Future Plans/ Next Steps – students will explore next steps in terms of what to expect in year 11 and possible post-16 pathways and opportunities – this is aimed to help inform students of opportunities and paths in further education as they approach the talks in November around careers and work experience
Consent and Domestic Violence Workshop – Positive Action in the Community – addressing the legal definition of consent and current and up-to-date behaviours and issues amongst young people, and the difference between intimacy and sex.
‘Stalking’ Workshop – Paladin – the national stalking advocacy service delivers a specialist presentation around shedding light on the issues of stalking, risks and signposting for support around this issue.
We are With You – External Agencies Workshop that focuses on resilience, raising awareness about risk-taking behaviour, as well as drug and alcohol education.
Careers (part 1) – a series of lessons providing information, resources and support around careers
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 2
Careers (part 2) – continued program including reflecting on interests and writing/updating their CV and steps on how to contact employers and prepare for work experience
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 3
‘Wasted Lives’ – Young driver safety awareness programme delivered by the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
Health and Wellbeing – Identify the benefits and importance of physical activity, sleep, and how to critically evaluate which choices, activities and food will contribute to overall health and wellbeing. Body modifications and risks are also explored as part of physical health and well-being.
Relationships and Consent (continued) – Positive Action for the Community and Paladin representatives visit students and deliver in-class specialist discussions around the issues of consent, domestic violence and stalking, as well as signposting and support
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 4
Drugs and Risk-Taking Behaviour, Managing Influence and Sign-posting support
Careers (Part 3) -preparation for work placement: how to behave in a work environment, work experience, reflection on work experience
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 5
Careers (Part 3) -preparation for work placement: how to behave in a work environment, work experience, reflection on work experience
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Half Term 6
Finance and Gambling – Identifying risk, how to manage impulses, including online, help & support
Managing Stress (preparation for exam week) -how to identify and manage stress (Pomodoro Technique, etc)
Current Issues – ‘Picture News’ articles that link to protected characteristics and encourage discussion and debate
Year 11
Contraception Workshop– Using the specialist, external speakers from The NHS, students learn about the importance of ‘Contraception and Consent’ and signposting for all areas of sexual, physical and emotional health.
Careers -A careers advisor meets one-to-one with Year 11 students to talk about their interests, strengths and future plans.
Curriculum Rationale – Year 12 PSHE
Delivery Model: Carousel (January – May)
Purpose of the Curriculum
The Year 12 PSHE programme has been designed to support students in making a successful transition from main school into Sixth Form while preparing them for the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities of young adulthood. Delivered on a carousel model, the curriculum allows students to access specialist knowledge and skill-building sessions in smaller groups, making the learning more engaging, practical, and personalised.
The content directly supports statutory PSHE and RSE requirements while also addressing local safeguarding priorities and the developmental needs of 16–17-year-old learners.
How Students Access the Curriculum
- The programme runs between January and May on a carousel system.
- Each tutor group rotates through a series of PSHE workshops, ensuring every student has equal access to core topics.
- Sessions are delivered through a combination of:
- In-house teaching (transition, health and wellbeing, relationships, first aid).
- External expert-led workshops from registered charities, statutory services, and specialist organisations.
This model maximises impact by giving students access to professional expertise, real-world case studies, and interactive training, while also supporting consistency of PSHE delivery across the year group.
Curriculum Content
1. Transition: From Main School to Sixth Form
- Challenges of academic and social transition.
- Managing increased independence, workload, and expectations.
- Exploring future pathways including higher education, apprenticeships, and employment.
2. First Aid Training
- Delivered by a qualified first aid teacher.
- Practical training in CPR, recovery position, wound care, and responding to emergencies.
- Builds confidence and transferable life skills.
3. Health and Wellbeing: Drugs and Alcohol
- Understanding risks of substance misuse.
- Strategies for making informed choices and resisting peer pressure.
- Signposting to in-school support and national charities.
4. Relationships: Healthy and Unhealthy Behaviours
- Recognising signs of toxic or coercive behaviour.
- Promoting positive relationships and respect.
- Support pathways highlighted through One Love Charity and school pastoral systems.
5. External Speaker Programme
- With Us (Charity): Risks of drugs and risk-taking behaviour.
- Lancashire Fire & Rescue: Young driver and passenger safety, road awareness.
- Positive Action in the Community & Paladin: Gender, power, equality, stalking awareness, and signposting for support.
- NHS: Positive sexual health, contraception, and access to confidential health services.
Rationale for External Partnerships
External speakers bring specialist expertise, authenticity, and lived experience, giving students opportunities to ask questions and engage with professionals beyond school staff. These partnerships ensure students receive up-to-date, accurate information and understand how to access community support networks.
Impact
By the end of the programme, students will:
- Be more confident in navigating the academic, social, and emotional transition to Sixth Form.
- Have essential life-saving first aid skills.
- Understand risks associated with drugs, alcohol, relationships, and driving.
- Be aware of local and national support services and how to access them.
- Be prepared to make informed decisions about health, wellbeing, and future pathways.
This curriculum supports the wider aims of Sixth Form education: fostering independence, resilience, responsibility, and readiness for adulthood.
Curriculum Rationale – Year 13 PSHE
Intent
The Year 13 PSHE curriculum is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to transition successfully from Sixth Form into adulthood. As students prepare for university, apprenticeships, employment, or independent living, the curriculum focuses on developing resilience, financial literacy, personal responsibility, and healthy relationship awareness.
The programme supports students in managing the pressures associated with final examinations while also preparing them for the practical realities of adult life. It aims to promote informed decision-making, critical thinking, and personal wellbeing, enabling students to navigate relationships, finances, health systems, and independent living safely and responsibly.
The curriculum draws upon evidence-based guidance from trusted organisations, including the PSHE Association and leading UK charities, ensuring content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with national best practice.
Implementation
The Year 13 PSHE programme is delivered through timetabled PSHE lessons, supported by teacher guidance where appropriate.
Teaching approaches include:
- Interactive class discussions
- Scenario-based learning
- Case studies based on real-life situations
- Reflection and critical thinking activities
These approaches encourage students to actively engage with complex issues, consider different perspectives, and apply learning to real-world situations they are likely to encounter beyond Sixth Form.
Lessons draw upon evidence-based guidance from trusted organisations, including the PSHE Association and leading UK charities, ensuring students access reliable and up-to-date information.
Curriculum Content
Exam Preparation and Wellbeing
Focus Areas
- Managing stress and exam anxiety
- Effective revision techniques and planning
- The importance of sleep and rest for memory and performance
- Mindfulness and self-care strategies
Rationale
Year 13 students face significant academic pressure due to high-stakes assessments. Providing practical stress-management strategies alongside effective revision techniques helps students maintain wellbeing while achieving their academic potential.
Finance and Budgeting
Focus Areas
- Choosing and managing bank accounts
- Borrowing, saving, and understanding interest
- Budgeting and managing money independently
- Credit scores, debt, and long-term financial impact
Rationale
Many students will soon become financially independent. Financial literacy helps them make informed decisions, reduces vulnerability to debt, and builds confidence in managing personal finances responsibly.
Living Independently
Focus Areas
- Domestic living skills such as cooking, budgeting, and managing household bills
- Understanding tenancy agreements and accommodation responsibilities
- Vehicle maintenance and managing car breakdowns
- Road safety responsibilities for new drivers and passengers
Rationale
Whether students move to university accommodation, private housing, or employment, they will need practical skills to manage everyday responsibilities safely and independently.
Healthcare Options
Focus Areas
- Registering with a GP when living away from home
- Understanding pharmacy services and NHS healthcare pathways
- Patient rights, confidentiality, and consent
- Preventative healthcare and maintaining personal wellbeing
Rationale
As students move into adulthood, they must begin managing their healthcare independently. These lessons ensure students understand how to access services and make informed decisions about their health.
Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health
This unit supports students in developing mature, respectful, and informed attitudes towards relationships and sexual health as they enter adulthood.
Lesson 1: Healthy Relationships and Sexual Health
Students will:
- Define healthy and unhealthy intimate relationships
- Understand the meaning of sexual health and its connection to overall wellbeing
- Analyse how media influences attitudes towards relationships and intimacy, including the impact of pornography
Lesson 2: Understanding Sexual Behaviour and Media Influence
Students will:
- Identify healthy and unhealthy sexual behaviours
- Understand how pornography can portray unrealistic or harmful sexual behaviours
- Recall factors that influence sexual health and wellbeing, including consent, communication, and respect
Lesson 3: AI, Virtual Reality and Relationships
Students will:
- Describe potential risks associated with AI or virtual companions in emotional or intimate contexts
- Understand how emerging technologies may influence expectations within relationships
- Identify strategies to protect themselves online and maintain healthy digital boundaries
- Recognise national support services for sexual health and relationship advice
Impact
By the end of the Year 13 PSHE programme, students will:
- Demonstrate strategies for managing stress and maintaining wellbeing during high-pressure situations
- Show financial awareness and confidence in managing money independently
- Understand key responsibilities associated with independent living and personal safety
- Be able to navigate healthcare services and take responsibility for their personal health
- Develop informed, respectful attitudes towards relationships, sexual health, and digital influences
Ultimately, the programme ensures students leave Sixth Form with the practical life skills, resilience, and independence required to thrive in the next stage of their lives.