Curriculum Intent 

At the City of Derby Academy every child deserves the opportunity to blossom into secure, joyful, and accomplished individuals. Our combined PSHE and RSE curriculum equips student with the knowledge and abilities necessary to make positive, well-informed, and healthy decisions as they navigate and move into their future lives. 

In PSHE and RSE, students will explore various subjects and topics connected to their social and emotional growth. Each year, they will explore different aspects of the following areas: 

• Health and well-being 
• Relationships and Sex Education 
• Living in the broader world 
• In addition to the 3 main areas we also place significant focus on individual and safety and safety within their community.  

Topics will range from establishing healthy boundaries in friendships to financial planning for a mortgage. They will cover basic first aid skills to participating in elections. Students will learn about the physical changes during puberty as well as effective approaches to combating racism within our communities. 

As an academy, our students’ needs are our top priority. While we recognise the importance of ensuring they are proficient in literacy, numeracy, and possess appropriate qualifications for their future education or careers, we also understand the significance of their social and emotional development. Our PSHE and RSE curriculum is thoughtfully considered and designed to ensure that students receive age-appropriate and comprehensive education on healthy relationships in a culturally sensitive manner. It is embedded with other areas of the curriculum and enrichment activities to give it currency, relevance and enhance understanding. The PSHE and RSE curriculum empowers students to recognise potential risks and safeguard themselves now and in the future. By teaching PSHE and RSE in a progressive and age-appropriate manner throughout the academy, we fulfil our statutory duty to protect and prepare students for the responsibilities and realities of life beyond our academy and long into adulthood. 

In England, the following departments and entities are related to Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) in secondary schools: 

• Department for Education (DfE): The DfE is responsible for setting the overall education policy and curriculum framework in England. It provides guidance and sets expectations for PSHE education in schools. 
• PSHE Association: The PSHE Association is a national organisation that provides support, resources, and training for PSHE teachers. It offers guidance on curriculum development, lesson planning, and best practices in delivering effective PSHE education. 
• Ofsted: Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. It is responsible for inspecting and regulating schools in England. Ofsted assesses the quality of PSHE provision in schools during inspections, including the curriculum content and delivery. 
• Relationships and Sex Education (RSE): In 2019, the UK government made Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) compulsory in all secondary schools in England. The DfE provides guidance on the statutory requirements for RSE, which is an essential component of PSHE education. 
• Careers Education and Guidance: The DfE emphasizes the importance of providing careers education and guidance within the PSHE curriculum. Schools are encouraged to help students explore different career pathways, develop employability skills, and make informed decisions about their future education and careers. 
• Financial Education: Financial education is another aspect of PSHE in secondary schools. The DfE promotes the inclusion of financial literacy and economic education within the PSHE curriculum. It emphasizes teaching students about budgeting, managing money, understanding credit and debt, and making informed financial decisions. 

These departments and entities above work together to ensure that PSHE education in secondary schools covers a wide range of topics, including health and well-being, relationships, sex education, careers, and financial literacy.