PSHE
At St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, our mission is to support every student in becoming the very best version of themselves and to live life to the full. Our PSHE curriculum is central to this mission, empowering students to develop confidence, resilience, and ambition while setting personal goals that drive progress and achievement.
Our carefully planned and bespoke PSHE curriculum is tailored to the needs of each year group, ensuring that learning is age-appropriate, relevant, and responsive to students’ stages of development. PSHE is delivered through dedicated lessons, subject areas, assemblies, tutor time, and key events throughout the academic year.
As a Catholic school, our values of faith, inclusivity, dignity, and respect, with Christ at the centre of all we do, underpin our approach to personal development. These values are reflected not only in PSHE but also within our Religious Studies curriculum, where students explore moral values, ethical issues, relationships, and diversity.
FLAME lies at the heart of our values and aspirations for all pupils. Its principles are woven throughout assemblies, PSHE lessons, and the wider life of the school. Our PSHE curriculum is also shaped by the local context, allowing us to respond flexibly to emerging needs and address relevant contemporary issues that affect our students and community.
Curriculum Intent and Statutory Requirements
Our PSHE curriculum is designed in line with guidance from the PSHE Association and fulfills all statutory requirements for Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), and Health Education as set out by the Department for Education (DfE).
The curriculum is structured around three core themes:
- Core Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing
- Core Theme 2: Relationships
- Core Theme 3: Living in the Wider World
A comprehensive progression map outlines the learning opportunities within each core theme and demonstrates how they are delivered across the curriculum at St Joseph’s. Learning takes place through dedicated PSHE lessons, other curriculum subjects, assemblies, our careers programme, liturgical opportunities, pastoral provision, and the wider ethos and life of the school.
Through this broad and balanced approach, we equip students with the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence they need to thrive both within school and beyond.