At Gartree, we have chosen a thematic PSHE approach, following PSHE Association guidance and in collaboration with Unifrog at Key Stage 4. Our programme is designed to ensure that all students experience a broad, balanced and carefully sequenced curriculum that prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of modern life. The curriculum reflects our local context and is updated regularly to meet the needs of our pupils and community.

Curriculum Aims

The purpose of the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum at Gartree is to prepare our young people for the world beyond school, through a better understanding of their physical, social, health and economic education (PSHE) and of the world around them. It aims to enable students to make their own decisions, to take responsibility for their own lives and for the communities they affect.

Our programme is: 

• Relevant – constantly reviewed to reflect the needs of our students 

• Appropriate – designed to provide the right knowledge and skills at the right time 

• Emotive – covering topics that matter deeply to young people
  Thought-provoking – with time for discussion, reflection and application

Key Stage 3 Overview

PSHE is taught thematically in Key Stage 3, with one theme per term:  

• Autumn – Health and Wellbeing

• Spring – Relationships

• Summer – Living in the Wider World

By the end of Key Stage 3, pupils will have developed knowledge and skills in areas such as healthy lifestyles, managing risk, puberty and hygiene, friendships and family life, consent, identity, self-esteem, online safety, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

Key Stage 4 Overview

At Key Stage 4, pupils continue to study PSHE through a spiral curriculum in partnership with Unifrog. Lessons build on prior knowledge and address the issues most relevant to young people as they move towards adulthood.

Topics include:  

• Consent, communication and healthy relationships  

• Recognising and responding to abusive behaviour  

• Sexual health, contraception and pregnancy choices  

• Online relationships, pornography and the media  

• Equality, rights, responsibilities and the law  

• Harassment, exploitation and managing risk  

• Mental health, wellbeing and preparing for adult life

Citizenship

Citizenship is taught across both key stages, through lessons, tutor time, assemblies and wider curriculum experiences. Additionally, citizenship can be explored in further detail as a standalone GCSE option. It ensures pupils gain knowledge of how the UK is governed, the role of the law and justice system, political awareness, and opportunities for volunteering and social action.

Working with Parents

We are committed to working in partnership with parents and carers. Parents cannot withdraw pupils from Relationships or Health Education, but do have the right to request withdrawal from the sex education element of RSE (other than content taught in science). Requests can be made up to three terms before a pupil turns 16, at which point the decision rests with the young person. Please contact the school for further information or to discuss our curriculum.

For more detail about our PSHE curriculum, please see our published programme overview (above) or contact the school directly.