PSHE
At Harris Rainham Sixth Form, our KS5 Personal Development Programme transcends traditional curriculum expectations to holistically nurture each student as a unique individual. We recognise the diverse challenges and complex issues our students face, and our programme is thoughtfully designed to provide not only knowledge but also practical strategies, life skills and enduring building blocks that they can take with them in their adult lives.
Rooted deeply in our core values of curiosity, compassion, and commitment, and guided by our KS5 Charter, our curriculum is intentionally sequenced to foster resilience, empathy, and self-awareness. It empowers students to confidently explore, understand, and express their personal values and beliefs within the framework of British values - encouraging respectful dialogue, active citizenship, and a strong sense of identity.
Our main ambition is to equip students with the emotional intelligence, integrity, and leadership qualities necessary to navigate and positively influence an ever-changing world; inspiring every student to lead with kindness, act with integrity, and embrace their potential so that they leave us with a sense of purpose and understanding that will help them to contribute positively to society in the future.
Our PSHE curriculum at Key Stage 5 follows a spiral structure across Year 12 and Year 13, designed to build on prior learning while continuously revisiting and deepening key concepts. It aligns with the National Curriculum while being tailored to meet the specific contextual needs of our student demographic.
Key themes include:
- Health and Well-being: We revisit key topics such as mental health, resilience, and physical health, progressively deepening students’ understanding and providing practical tools for managing well-being in the context of their personal and academic lives.
- Respectful relationships(RSE): In Year 12, we focus on foundational topics like consent, healthy relationships, and communication. In Year 13, the curriculum expands to cover more complex issues such as navigating adult relationships, sexual health, and emotional intelligence.
- Informed and competitive: The spiral curriculum ensures students revisit and build on financial literacy, career planning, and employability skills. Year 12 focuses on decision-making for future pathways, while Year 13 emphasizes financial management, budgeting, and the realities of the workplace.
- Active Citizens: Themes of social justice, democracy, and personal responsibility are woven throughout both years. This enables students to continually reflect on their role in society and how they can positively impact their communities.
- Embodying Scholarship: Woven into the curriculum are topics that encourage students to approach learning with a mindset of inquiry, openness, and dedication. This enables students to actively seek knowledge, ask thoughtful questions, and engage deeply with new ideas.
- Academically curious: Throughout both years, the curriculum ensure students foster a genuine passion for learning. Through guest speakers, workshops and assemblies we encourage students to be driven by the desire to understand the world more fully, not just to pass exams. It means embracing the process of discovery, valuing critical thinking, and persistently pursuing answers, even when the path is complex or uncertain.
This tailored approach ensures that the curriculum is responsive to the unique needs of our students, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in the diverse challenges of adulthood. The spiral progression allows for the reinforcement and development of key concepts, ensuring students are equipped for life beyond school.