Robertsbridge Community College

PSHE & RSHE

At Robertsbridge Community College, our aim is to deliver a PSHE & RSHE curriculum that enables our students to become healthy, independent, and responsible members of society. We want every student to understand how they are developing personally and socially and to feel confident in tackling the many moral, social, and cultural issues that are part of growing up.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for students to learn about rights and responsibilities, appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society, and develop their sense of self-worth by contributing positively to school life and the wider community. It fully supports our core school values of Pride, Ambition, and Respect — values that underpin all we do at Robertsbridge Community College.

* Pride – encouraging students to take pride in themselves, their achievements, and their community.
* Ambition – inspiring students to aim high, set goals, and strive for success in all areas of life.
* Respect – nurturing mutual respect, empathy, and understanding for others within and beyond the school community.

Through our PSHE curriculum, students make connections to the wider curriculum, allowing them to see the relevance and application of the knowledge and skills they gain. We also use assemblies and Learning Mentor time to further promote PSHE, British Values, and SMSC (spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development).
In PSHE, the aim is for all students to recognise and apply the British Values of democracy, tolerance, and mutual respect, understand the rule of law, and demonstrate a healthy, positive outlook towards school and the wider world. Students are supported to understand the physical, emotional, and social aspects involved in RSE at an age-appropriate level. Through this learning, we promote respect for self and others.
“By teaching students to stay safe and healthy, and by building self-esteem, resilience and empathy, an effective PSHE programme can tackle barriers to learning, raise aspirations, and improve the life chances of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils.”
(PSHE Association, 2017)
At Robertsbridge Community College, PSHE and RSHE are taught in discrete lessons to all students. Lessons cover a wide range of topics such as safety, anti-bullying, drugs, alcohol and tobacco education (DATE), careers, and relationships & sex education (RSE/RSHE).
As students progress through the school, lessons include more complex and age-relevant themes such as domestic violence, healthy relationships, online safety, consent, and post-16 careers and life planning. These are enriched by sessions facilitated by external speakers and agencies.

Our Approach and Statutory Context
Our PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum is a fundamental part of our students’ holistic development. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to thrive as individuals, family members, and active citizens. The curriculum helps students navigate and understand key aspects of life, including physical and mental health, wellbeing, relationships, safety, personal development, and financial literacy.

Supporting British Values
Our PSHE & RSHE curriculum actively supports and promotes British Values, which are essential for creating a safe and inclusive school environment and preparing students for life in modern Britain.

* Democracy: Students learn about the importance of democracy through discussion, debate, and decision-making activities, understanding how their voice can make a difference.
* The Rule of Law: Students explore why rules and laws are necessary for fairness, safety, and justice, and learn the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.
* Individual Liberty: We provide a safe space for students to make informed choices, express themselves freely, and explore their interests while recognising that rights come with responsibilities.
* Mutual Respect: Respect is central to our school ethos. Students learn to respect others’ opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds, developing empathy and inclusion.
* Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs: Through exploration of cultural diversity, students gain a broader perspective and deeper understanding of the world around them.


Comprehensive and Progressive Learning
Our PSHE & RSHE curriculum is comprehensive and progressive, covering mental and physical health, relationships, online safety, financial and economic wellbeing, careers, and civic responsibility. Students engage in meaningful discussions, reflect on their values, and build essential life skills to become confident, responsible, and active citizens.
By integrating PSHE education across all key stages, we ensure our students are well prepared for the challenges and opportunities of an ever-changing world.

Overarching Concepts Developed Through the Programme of Study
Our curriculum develops key concepts including:

* Identity – understanding personal qualities, skills, and influences; maintaining privacy and boundaries, including online.
* Relationships – building positive, safe relationships in all contexts, including digital.
* A Healthy, Balanced Lifestyle – promoting physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
* Risk and Safety – recognising, assessing, and managing risk in various situations, including online and in public spaces.
* Diversity and Equality – respecting all forms of diversity, with regard to the Equality Act 2010.
* Rights, Responsibilities and Consent – understanding fairness, justice, and informed consent.
* Change and Resilience – managing transitions and developing strategies for coping with challenges.
* Power – understanding power dynamics, including bullying, coercion, and persuasion, and how to manage or challenge these constructively.
* Career – developing enterprise, employability, and economic understanding.


Updates in Line with the 2025 Statutory Guidance
In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated statutory guidance for Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education. These updates, which become compulsory from September 2026, strengthen and clarify key areas of PSHE & RSHE.
At Robertsbridge Community College, we have already begun to integrate these updates into our curriculum.
Key developments include:

* Addressing Misogyny and Online Influences: A stronger focus on recognising and challenging misogyny, harmful gender stereotypes, and the influence of pornography and toxic online culture.
* Personal Safety Expansion: Updated guidance includes safety in public places, around roads, railways, and water, alongside digital safeguarding.
* Online and Digital Literacy: Broader coverage of online harms such as deepfakes, online exploitation, misinformation, and harmful online influencers.
* Mental Health Focus: Increased emphasis on topics such as loneliness, self-esteem, grief, and coping with anxiety.
* Financial and Economic Wellbeing: Recognition of financial exploitation as a safeguarding concern and expanded education around personal finances and consumer awareness.
* Whole-School Approach: Emphasis on skilled delivery, age-appropriate sequencing, parental transparency, and a consistent whole-school approach to wellbeing and safeguarding.


The Life Lessons Curriculum
We are proud to follow the Life Lessons Curriculum as part of our PSHE & RSHE provision.
This structured, evidence-based programme aligns with the latest statutory guidance and is designed to help students develop emotional literacy, resilience, safe online habits, and healthy relationships.
By following the Life Lessons Curriculum, we ensure that learning is sequenced, age-appropriate, and relevant, using high-quality resources that engage students and reflect the issues they face in modern life.
Further information can be found at lifelessons.co.uk

Curriculum Overview
Detailed information about the curriculum for each year group can be found in the document below.
Curriculum Map – PSHE and RSHE 2025 (link to updated version)

Related Policies
For information on our RSHE policy, please click here. (link to policy)

Parent and Student Communication
Our parental consultation period is now complete. Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback and ideas. If you have any questions or would like more information about the statutory curriculum, please contact:
Laura Linch – PSHE Leader
📧 llinch@robertsbridge.org.uk

PSHE & RSE Padlet
Click the red block at the bottom of this page to view the RCC PSHE Padlet.

Supporting British Values

Our PSHE curriculum actively supports and promotes British values, which are essential to creating a safe and inclusive school environment and preparing students for life in modern Britain. These values are:

  • Democracy: Through classroom discussions and debates, students learn about the importance of democracy and are encouraged to express their opinions, understand the concept of voting, and appreciate the importance of having their voices heard in a democratic society.
  • The Rule of Law: Students learn the value of laws and rules and how they protect individual rights, ensure safety, and maintain order. By understanding the importance of rules both in school and in society, students develop respect for the law and learn about the consequences of their actions.
  • Individual Liberty: Our curriculum promotes a safe environment where students can make informed choices and express themselves freely while understanding that with rights come responsibilities. We encourage them to explore their interests, build confidence, and take ownership of their learning journey.
  • Mutual Respect: Respect is a core value at Robertsbridge Community College. Through various activities and discussions, students learn to respect others' opinions, beliefs, and backgrounds. We foster an environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is valued for who they are.
  • Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs: We aim to create an inclusive community where students learn to appreciate cultural diversity and gain an understanding of different religions and beliefs. This helps them develop empathy, compassion, and a broader perspective of the world around them. 

Comprehensive Learning

Our PSHE curriculum is comprehensive and progressive, covering topics such as mental and physical health, online safety, relationships, economic well-being, career planning, and civic responsibility. We provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions, reflect on their values, and build essential life skills to help them become confident, responsible, and active citizens.

By integrating PSHE education across all key stages, we ensure that our students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities they will face in an ever-changing world.

Overarching concepts developed through the programme of study

  • Identity (their personal qualities, attitudes, skills, attributes and achievements and what influences these; understanding and maintaining boundaries around their personal privacy, including online);
  • Relationships (including different types and in different settings, including online);
  • A healthy (including physically, emotionally and socially), balanced lifestyle (including within relationships, work-life, exercise and rest, spending and saving and lifestyle choices);
  • Risk (identification, assessment and how to manage risk, rather than simply the avoidance of risk for self and others) and safety (including behaviour and strategies to employ in different settings, including online in an increasingly connected world;
  • Diversity and equality (in all its forms, with due regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010);
  • Rights (including the notion of universal human rights), responsibilities (including fairness and justice) and consent (in different contexts);
  • Change (as something to be managed) and resilience (the skills, strategies and ‘inner resources’ we can draw on when faced with challenging change or circumstance);
  • Power (how it is used and encountered in a variety of contexts including online; how it manifests through behaviours including bullying, persuasion, coercion and how it can be challenged or managed through negotiation and ‘win-win’ outcomes);
  • Career (including enterprise, employability and economic understanding).

Curriculum overview

Detailed information about the curriculum for each year group can be found in the document below.

Related policies

 For information on our RSHE policy, please click here 

Parent/Student Communication

Our parental consultation period is now complete. Thank you to all who took the time to provide us with feedback and ideas. If you have any questions or would like more information on the new Statutory Curriculum, please contact the PSHE Leader, Laura Linch llinch@robertsbridge.org.uk 

PSHE & RSE Padlet 

Click the red block below to see the RCC PSHE Padlet. 

RCC PSHE & RSE

Year 8 PSHE – Keeping Safe Workshop

Today our Year 8 students took part in an important PSHE session on keeping safe - focusing on risks around drugs and county-lines. We were very pleased to welcome our school Police Liaison Officer, PC Brunton, who joined us to share honest and helpful guidance with the students. 

Through open conversation and practical advice, PC Brunton was able to advise all students on how to make safe, informed choices as they move through life. At RCC we believe in Respect, Pride and Ambition and today’s workshop was a great example of those values in action.

Thank you to PC Brunton, our PSHE team and all students for approaching this session with maturity, curiosity and care. Together we can help build a safe and supportive community.  

 

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