PSHE
RATIONALE
As Cloughwood Academy is a special school for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, some pupils face a wider range of challenges that can impact their ability to regulate emotions, form positive relationships, and engage safely and confidently with the wider world. As a result, they often experience disrupted education, social exclusion, and increased vulnerability to safeguarding risks such as exploitation, substance misuse, or unhealthy relationships.
For these pupils, PSHE is not a supplementary subject – it is central to their development, engagement and success in life.
A strong, tailored PSHE curriculum helps pupils:
- Understand and manage emotions more effectively.
- Build trusting relationships and appropriate social interactions.
- Develop resilience, self-esteem and a positive self-image.
- Make safe, informed decisions in all aspects of their lives.
- Navigate transitions and prepare for adulthood, work and independence.
Given the complex needs of our learners, our approach to PSHE must be inclusive, flexible and adaptable. Our goal is to equip pupils not just with knowledge, but with the tools for personal empowerment, independence and long-term wellbeing.
INTENT
At Cloughwood Academy, the PSHE curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of pupils with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) difficulties. Our intent is to provide a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment where pupils can develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to lead healthy, independent and fulfilling lives.
We aim to:
- Support pupils in understanding and managing mental health and wellbeing.
- Equip pupils with strategies to build positive relationships and develop social skills.
- Ensure pupils have the knowledge to make informed choices about health, safety, and financial literacy.
- Prepare pupils for adulthood with a focus on life skills, independent living, and citizenship.
- Ensure pupils are aware of how to stay safe online and know the law relating to these areas.
- Encourage pupils to respect each other and understand the consequences of bullying.
Our curriculum is flexible and responsive to individual needs, recognising that PSHE is not just a subject but a foundation for personal growth and development. Sessions are often responsive to the emerging needs of cohorts and developing concerns of pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.
IMPLEMENTATION
PSHE is delivered and embedded across all key stages and reinforced through cross-curricular links and the wider school ethos.
Our delivery model includes:
- Weekly timetabled PSHE lessons tailored to pupils’ age and developmental levels.
- Thematic core units cover:
- Mental Health and Emotional Regulation
- Keeping Safe
- Sexual Health
- Puberty and Reproduction
- First Aid
- Online Safety and Digital Resilience
- Relationships
- Self-care
- Smoking and Vaping
- Drugs Awareness
Use of evidence-based resources (e.g. PSHE Association framework) is adapted for accessibility and relevance.
Multi-agency input, including police, Department for Work and Pensions and external specialists to enhance contextual safeguarding and real-life learning.
Lessons are highly adaptive, utilising visual support, social stories, direct questioning, interactive activities, discussions and practical activities to foster engagement and retention.
Regular retrieval practice is also built into every lesson to strengthen long-term memory and build over-learning.
Learning is assessed informally, primarily through questioning and discussion.
IMPACT
We measure the impact of our PSHE curriculum primarily through observations. Outcomes include:
- Pupil progress in EHCP targets related to social and emotional development.
- Enhanced readiness for transition, whether with further education, training or independent living.
- Observations of increased confidence, decision-making ability, and independence in daily routines.
- Pupil voice: regular feedback through questioning and knowledge of areas covered.
- Positive feedback from families, carers and external professionals regarding pupils’ social and emotional growth.
Ultimately, our PSHE programme empowers pupils to better understand themselves and others, enabling them to thrive as emotionally resilient, safe and respectful members of their communities and gives them the skills to build a successful future.