PSHE & RSE
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At Denstone College and The Prep in Staffordshire, Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) play a vital role in shaping well-rounded, confident, and responsible individuals. Our structured and age-appropriate curriculum helps independent school pupils develop essential life skills, emotional intelligence, and a strong moral foundation as they progress through school. The programme reflects national best practice, statutory PSHE requirements, and the specific needs of our pupils, informed by data, pupil voice, and safeguarding at our independent school.
The Wellbeing Curriculum at Denstone College is designed as a developmental, spiral model, ensuring progression and continuity from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form.
In our Prep School, the focus is on friendships, kindness, and understanding emotions, providing a strong foundation for personal development education.
From the 1st Form, students explore personal identity, friendship, teamwork, and respectful relationships, laying strong foundations in emotional literacy and interpersonal skills. Lessons on sleep, hygiene, puberty, and body image promote early health awareness in independent schools.
In the 2nd Form, the focus deepens with critical digital literacy, online safety, and strategies to challenge prejudice and stereotypes. Healthy relationships education, consent, and sexual health are introduced with sensitivity and relevance, ensuring pupils are equipped with essential knowledge for adolescence.
The 3rd Form curriculum develops pupils' decision-making skills through learning on mental health education, friendship challenges, drugs, gangs, and career planning for independent school pupils.
The 4th Form builds on this by preparing pupils for real-world scenarios including employment, road safety, relationships, online behaviour, and discrimination awareness.
The breadth and balance of the curriculum ensure that the Wellbeing Curriculum at Denstone College supports safeguarding in independent schools, SMSC development, and the promotion of British values across all key stages.
Denstone’s Wellbeing Programme is not confined to timetabled lessons. It is enriched by tutorial time, themes of the week, assemblies, and cross-curricular links. External wellbeing experts are carefully selected to enhance provision, with sessions from experts such as Karl Hopwood (online safety education), the Samaritans, and Red Cross integrated into learning. Pupil feedback through questionnaires shapes these experiences, reflecting our commitment to meaningful pupil voice in independent education.
The provision is rigorously monitored through surveys, work scrutiny, observations, and governor scrutiny. Pupils report high levels of engagement and value the subject. Teachers delivering Wellbeing lessons receive appropriate CPD (Continual Professional Development) and have access to quality-assured resources from the PSHE Association and other reputable providers. Lessons are adapted to suit the needs of individual pupils and are delivered in safe, inclusive environments, and anonymised question strategies are used.
The assessment is embedded through baseline and endpoint activities, reflective journaling, and formative techniques, enabling teachers to gauge progress and respond to needs. The quality of Wellbeing education is expected to match that of other subjects, and reporting to parents is standard practice.
Ultimately, Wellbeing at Denstone College empowers pupils to make informed decisions, develop resilience in independent schools, and thrive as reflective, respectful, and responsible members of society. It is a cornerstone of our wellbeing strategy and a testament to our whole-school commitment to pupil development beyond the academic.
PSHE and RSE are embedded into the ethos of Denstone College and The Prep, ensuring pupils feel supported not only in the classroom but throughout daily school life. Our pastoral care system, house structure, and mentoring programmes all reinforce the importance of wellbeing, respect, and positive personal development.
Our comprehensive approach to personal development in Staffordshire independent schools ensures every pupil receives the support they need to flourish both academically and personally, preparing them for success in their future endeavours.