PSHCE

We believe that for the lives of the students we teach, what happens beyond the classroom is as important as what happens within.

Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) is a vital part of the curriculum at Gosforth Academy. It equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate an ever‑changing world. Through PSHE, Citizenship, and Careers Education, students learn about health and wellbeing, relationships, personal identity, and life in the wider world.

Our curriculum supports students to thrive personally, academically, and socially. We help them build resilience, develop high aspirations, and make informed choices that support their wellbeing and future success. The curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the emerging needs of our students and the issues that matter to them.

How PSHE is taught

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) is taught through a combination of timetabled lessons, assemblies, tutor‑time activities including character education, and whole‑school events such as drop‑down days and sessions with external speakers.

This blend ensures students receive consistent, age‑appropriate learning that builds year on year.

The curriculum covers three key strands:

Health & Wellbeing – mental health, physical health, managing risk
Relationships – consent, respect, families, online safety
Living in the Wider World – identity, values, money, rights, digital literacy

Our statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is taught sensitively and in line with the school’s RSE Policy. Parents can access the RSE policy including an outline of the RSE curriculum and the PSHCE curriculum map on this webpage.

At Gosforth Academy, Citizenship isn’t just a subject on the timetable - it’s a chance for students to understand who they are in the world and the impact they can have on the people and communities around them. We help our students grow into confident, thoughtful young citizens who know how to take part in society in positive and meaningful ways.

Throughout their Citizenship journey, students explore themes such as:

How democracy works and what it means to have a voice

The justice system and how laws help keep society fair

Human rights, both in the UK and globally

The power and influence of the media

Volunteering, advocacy and community action and how they can drive change

Financial decision‑making, preparing them for real‑world choices

Our curriculum is deliberately flexible. We continually shape and refresh what we teach so we can respond to what’s happening locally, nationally, and in the wider world. Whether it’s a major political event, a developing social issue, or something emerging within our own school community, we make space for the conversations that matter.

Ultimately, Citizenship at Gosforth Academy supports students to become informed, active, and responsible members of society who feel ready and motivated to contribute.

Across the school, we actively champion active citizenship in everything we do, making it a natural and meaningful part of our students’ everyday experience.

Careers

At Gosforth Academy, careers education is an important part of our PSHCE programme. We want every student to feel supported, informed, and excited about their future, so we make sure they receive clear, practical guidance at each stage of their journey.

Throughout their time with us, students explore different career pathways. In Y9 they look closely at their KS4 options and what comes after whether that’s Post‑16 or Post‑18 and develop the skills they’ll need in the world of work. NAs they progress into KS4 students will focus their attention on to Post 16 and Post 18 Options. Students are offered the opportunity to take part in work‑related learning, build employability skills, and get hands‑on support with writing CVs, completing applications, and preparing for interviews. Along the way, they meet employers and a range of external organisations who help bring real‑world insight into the classroom.

Careers education doesn’t just happen in one place. It runs through all subject areas including PSHCE lessons, assemblies, tutor time, and special drop‑down days. Students also benefit from visiting speakers, workshops, employer encounters, and guidance that’s woven into many of our subject areas.

Our aim is simple: to help every student feel confident, well‑prepared, and ambitious about their next steps. You can find more details about our careers programme on our Careers page.

Unifrog

We also use Unifrog, a personalised online platform that supports students in exploring opportunities, developing their strengths, and accessing expert guidance throughout their career journey.

Unifrog provides high-quality, up-to-date information on all post-16 and post-18 pathways in one place, enabling students to compare university courses, apprenticeships, and further education options in the UK and internationally. It also offers tools to help students research options and prepare applications, including support for CVs and personal statements.

To access Unifrog and create an account, visit: https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in

You can view their privacy policy here.

Click below to view our PSHCE documents: