Our vision for the PSHE curriculum is that it shapes and develops cognitive fluency, personal character and compassion and tolerance.

Our intent is that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to grow and develop without barriers, having received impactful and well-timed information on relationships and sex, wellbeing and given the appropriate skills to live within the wider world of the UK and beyond.

Subject Delivery

In Key Stages 3 and 4, PSHE is taught on a fortnightly basis. Teachers from a broad spectrum of subjects deliver lessons to form groups (Years 7 and 13) or teaching groups (Years 8 - 11). Local service providers also visit the school to deliver county specific lessons, talks and workshops.

For information on PSHE at Key Stage 5, please see the Sixth Form information page.

Curriculum Design

A spiral curriculum is implemented using quality assured resources, ensuring students develop cognitive fluency as they transition through the school. Topics are taught at both a stage and age-appropriate time, with the curriculum being flexible and responsive to adapt to needs when they arise. Regular meetings between the Lead Teacher, the Wellbeing Team and the Careers Lead alongside meetings with pastoral leads result in programme bespoke to the needs of the Ribston Community.

Personal Development Days and Additional Events

Throughout the academic year there are 3 Personal Development enrichment days which further enhance the curriculum. Students partake in a range of workshops, assemblies and lessons delivered by teachers and external providers, such as the Hollie Gazzard Trust, the Armed Forces and Gloucestershire Constabulary. Students are also given the opportunity to enter national competitions such as 'Step into the NHS', and a visit to the University of Gloucestershire to participate in their Aspiration Day.

In addition, we offer regular additional sessions for individual year groups, such as the play Chelsea’s Story, explaining Child Sexual Exploitation to Year 8. Through working with Gloucestershire's Safeguarding in Education team, further one-off sessions are delivered to students as and when needs arise at county and national level.

Statutory Requirements and 2026 Policy Updates

Our 2025-26 curriculum has been mapped according to current statutory requirements, with the new 2026 curriculum being prepared for the 2026-27 academic year ready to meet the implementation deadline of September 1st 2026 . 

Curriculum Overview

All PSHE topics are linked to the school’s curriculum intent strands of cognitive fluency, personal character, and compassion and tolerance:

More information is available in the Curriculum Overview below.