Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
including Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) link
OFSTED 2024: “very well designed personal development and career programme” which is both “ambitious and inclusive. They ensure that all pupils are very well prepared for their next steps. They learn how to keep safe and healthy…”
At John Hanson, our PSHE provision is delivered through a spiral curriculum that builds knowledge, skills, and understanding progressively from Year 7 to Year 11. This approach ensures that students revisit key themes at increasing levels of depth and maturity, supporting their personal development and preparing them for life beyond school. The personal development of our students is also supported through smaller focused groups; extra-curricular opportunities; the pastoral support team, which includes Key Stage Leaders, Pastoral Managers, tutors, Well-being officers, FLEX and Engage.
Key features of our Curriculum
Progressive Learning:
- Topics are revisited each year with age-appropriate content, allowing students to deepen their understanding and apply learning to new contexts.
Core Themes:
- Health and Wellbeing: Physical and mental health, managing emotions, healthy lifestyles, and safety.
- Relationships: Respectful relationships, consent, diversity, and managing conflict.
- Living in the Wider World: Careers, financial literacy, media literacy, and citizenship.
Responsive to Student Needs:
- The curriculum is regularly reviewed to reflect current issues, student voice, and statutory guidance, including the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) framework, and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance.
Skills for Life:
- Students develop critical thinking, decision-making, empathy, and resilience – all skills essential for navigating adolescence and adulthood.
Curriculum Overview by Key Stage:
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) – two lessons per fortnight
Focuses on foundational knowledge and skills, including:
- Transition and emotional wellbeing
- Puberty and body image
- Online safety and digital resilience
- Friendship and peer influence
- Introduction to careers and goal setting
- Health and wellbeing
- Personal safety and the world around us
- Contraception (year 9 only in KS3)
Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) – one lesson per fortnight
Builds on earlier learning with more complex and sensitive topics:
- Mental health and coping strategies
- Healthy relationships and sexual health
- Contraception
- Substance misuse and risk management
- Financial planning and employability
- Safety and the law
- Rights, responsibilities, and active citizenship
- Careers and the workplace
- CV writing and college applications
Our exceptional PSHE Curriculum
At our school, PSHE is a cornerstone of our commitment to nurturing well-rounded, confident, and compassionate individuals. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to empower pupils with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to thrive in modern society – both within and beyond the classroom.
Key Features of Our PSHE Curriculum:
Inclusive and Diverse:
- We celebrate individuality and promote respect for all, ensuring every pupil feels seen, heard, and valued.
Skills for Life:
- From emotional wellbeing and mental health to financial literacy and career readiness, our curriculum equips students with practical tools for lifelong success.
Safeguarding and Safety:
- We embed age-appropriate education on online safety, healthy relationships, and personal boundaries to help pupils make informed, safe choices.
Pupil Voice:
- Our approach is responsive and pupil-led, encouraging active participation, critical thinking, and open dialogue.
Cross-Curricular Links:
- PSHE is interwoven with other subjects and school initiatives, reinforcing key themes such as sustainability, citizenship, and digital responsibility.
Celebrating Growth:
- We track and celebrate personal development, fostering resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of self.
Outside agencies:
With the PSHE curriculum now embedded into our student’s two-week timetables, some visitors may include;
- Local Colleges such as Andover & Sparsholt College, BCOT, Peter Symonds and QMC
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- WizeUp Financial Guidance
- Reiki, The Real Therapy Room
Our PSHE curriculum is not just a subject – it’s a vital part of our school ethos. It supports academic achievement, promotes wellbeing, and prepares pupils to be responsible, respectful citizens in an ever-changing world.