Question 1

Our PSHE Curriculum

Accepted Answer

Our PSHE curriculum provides a carefully sequenced learning journey from Year 7 to Year 13, enabling students to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to thrive both now and in the future. The curriculum is built around three interconnected themes that reflect the journey every young person takes as they grow into adulthood: Understanding Myself Students develop self-awareness, emotional resilience and the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their physical and mental health. They explore topics including wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, relationships, personal safety and managing change. Understanding Myself with Others Students learn how to build positive relationships, communicate respectfully and value the experiences of others. They explore friendship, family, intimate relationships, consent, equality, diversity, identity and how to challenge prejudice and discrimination. Understanding Myself within the World Students develop the knowledge, skills and aspirations needed to become active citizens and prepare successfully for adult life. They explore British Values, protected characteristics, careers education, financial literacy, online safety, media literacy and their role in creating positive communities. Our curriculum is progressive, with key concepts revisited throughout each year group to deepen understanding and reflect the changing experiences of young people. Learning is responsive to local, national and global issues, ensuring that students receive an education that is relevant, ambitious and prepares them for life beyond Plume Academy. Alongside dedicated PSHE lessons, students' learning is enriched through tutor time, assemblies, enrichment opportunities, external speakers, student leadership, careers education and wider academy experiences, ensuring PSHE is embedded throughout academy life.PSHE Curriculum 2026-27

Question 2

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Accepted Answer

At Plume Academy, we are committed to creating a culture where every member of our community feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, ensuring that students develop an understanding of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Through our PSHE curriculum, students explore the importance of equality, respect and social responsibility. They learn about the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010, developing an understanding of how these characteristics help to protect individuals from discrimination and promote fairness within society. Students learn about: Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation These themes are explored in an age-appropriate way throughout students' time at the academy, encouraging empathy, challenging prejudice and helping young people recognise the importance of treating others with dignity and respect. Our curriculum encourages thoughtful discussion, critical thinking and respectful debate, preparing students to contribute positively to an increasingly diverse society. We expect all members of the Plume community to uphold our academy values by demonstrating kindness, respect and inclusion in their everyday interactions.

Question 3

Protected characteristics

Accepted Answer

The Equality Act protects people against discrimination due to the protected characteristics that we all have. Under the Equality Act (2010), there are nine protected characteristics: Age Disability Gender reassignment Marriage and civil partnership Pregnancy and maternity Race Religion or belief Sex Sexual orientation  At Plume our curriculum fosters an understanding and strong sense of pride in who we are and who we want to be and to recognise the diversity that every member of the Plume family and the wider community have. We embed and reinforce these protected characteristics throughout the curriculum by encouraging a pride in belonging to the Plume Family. The characteristics are maintained and promoted through many initiatives within the curriculum. There are also a broad range of enrichment opportunity that Plume offers, from our district wide respected Pride group to our bullying and mental health

Question 4

Promoting British Values

Accepted Answer

Preparing students for life in modern Britain is a central part of our PSHE curriculum. We actively promote the fundamental British Values, helping students to understand not only what these values are, but why they are essential in creating a fair, democratic and inclusive society. Students develop their understanding of: Democracy – learning how individuals can influence decision-making through democratic processes, both within the academy and in wider society. The Rule of Law – understanding the importance of laws in protecting individual rights, maintaining safety and promoting justice, alongside recognising personal responsibility for their own actions. Individual Liberty – developing the confidence to make informed choices, express their views respectfully and understand their rights and responsibilities within society. Mutual Respect – valuing the opinions, beliefs and experiences of others, even when these differ from their own, and recognising that respectful relationships are fundamental to a positive community. Tolerance of Different Faiths and Beliefs – developing an appreciation of the rich diversity of modern Britain, understanding different cultures, religions and worldviews, and challenging discrimination and prejudice wherever it occurs. These values are promoted through PSHE lessons, tutor time, assemblies, student leadership opportunities, enrichment activities and the wider life of the academy. By embedding these principles throughout school life, we support students to become informed, respectful and active citizens who are well prepared to make a positive contribution to their communities and beyond.

Question 5

Creating a SAFE Learning Environment

Accepted Answer

A safe learning environment helps pupils to share feelings, explore values and attitudes, express opinions and consider those of others, without attracting negative feedback. At Plume we: work with pupils to establish ground rules about how they will behave towards each other in discussion provide opportunities for pupils to discuss issues in small groups as well as sharing views with the whole class provide access to balanced information and differing views to help pupils clarify their own opinions (whilst making clear that behaviours such as racism, homophobia, bi-phobia, transphobia, discrimination and bullying are never acceptable in any form) are sensitive to the needs and experiences of individuals, as some pupils may have direct experience of some of the issues always work within the school’s policies on safeguarding and confidentiality (and ensure that pupils understand school policies on disclosure of confidential information and following up concerns in a more appropriate setting outside lessons) link PSHE education into the whole-school approach to supporting pupil wellbeing make pupils aware of reliable sources of support both inside and outside the school

Personal Development at Plume

Our PSHE Curriculum

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Protected characteristics

Promoting British Values

Creating a SAFE Learning Environment