At Beechcliffe School (Thackley), Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a central part of our curriculum and is carefully adapted to meet the diverse needs of our pupils, all of whom have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, along with associated diagnoses such as Autism, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and Attachment Difficulties.
Our PSHE curriculum is grounded in the national curriculum framework and enhanced by an in-depth audit of pupils’ individual needs. This ensures our approach remains personalised, meaningful and responsive — with safeguarding, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood at its core.
Curriculum Approach
Our PSHE offer is shaped by three guiding principles:
Concrete and contextual delivery: Learning is always placed in real-life contexts that reflect pupils’ own experiences and communities.
Personalised content: An audit of individual needs helps us prioritise key themes, such as how to be safe, manage feelings or develop independence.
Frequent, structured exposure: Core topics are revisited regularly, often through a fortnightly rotation model, to support retention and confidence.
Curriculum Themes
Pupils explore a range of key topics over time, including:
Self-awareness
Self-care, support and safety
Managing feelings
Changing and growing
Healthy lifestyles
The world they live in
This structure ensures breadth, repetition and progression in a way that supports each pupil’s personal development.
What Our Pupils Gain
Through PSHE, our pupils develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to navigate a complex and ever-changing world. The curriculum is designed to equip them with:
Emotional literacy and resilience, including the ability to understand and manage their emotions
Self-awareness and self-regulation, fostering greater independence and responsibility
Positive relationship skills, including how to build and maintain friendships and interact respectfully with others
The ability to make safe and informed choices in a variety of contexts
A stronger sense of social understanding and inclusion
Preparation for adulthood, including further education, employment and independent living
Our PSHE curriculum is informed by national guidance and the PSHE Association and is reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our learners.
For more information, please contact the school or visit the PSHE Association website: PSHE Association | Charity and membership body for PSHE education (pshe-association.org.uk)