Our Offer

PSHE

At Red Balloon of the Air, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) plays a vital role in the development of our learners. We strive to deliver content that not only fulfills the requirements of the curriculum but is also deeply relevant. Through tailored material and meaningful discussion, RBAir’s goal is for our learners to be empowered and inspired to embrace life’s opportunities. 

Delivered by a small specialist team, in a safe and respectful learning environment, PSHE is underpinned by our core values of unconditional positive regard, mutual respect, inclusion and collaboration. As members of the PSHE Association and a Life Lessons partner school, we access quality assured resources and staff training. 

Unconditional
Positive Regard

Mutual Respect

Inclusion

Collaboration

Our model of delivery is a sequenced, spiral programme, which allows for developmental progression by revisiting themes year-on-year, building on prior learning. This enables us to fully equip our learners to enjoy healthy, safe, productive, responsible and balanced lives. In weekly timetabled sessions, our learners are given opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence, through a programme that is relevant and appropriate to the ethos of RBAir and the needs of every learner. Topics are regularly reviewed and updated to take account of any current issues which need to be included and changes to guidance and relevant laws.

Our PSHE sessions are designed to be inclusive and supportive of all learners, with a particular focus on neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Our session guidelines, developed in collaboration with our learners, aim to create a respectful, inclusive and welcoming learning environment. 

Key Stage 3

Learners explore and address the changes they will experience both physically and emotionally and their increasing independence. They learn how to navigate and manage diverse relationships, their online lives, their physical and mental health, and the increasing influence on them of their peers and social media. 

Key Stage 4

Learners revisit the themes explored in Key Stage 3; this enables them to deepen their knowledge and understanding, to extend and rehearse vital skills, as well as exploring their own, and others’ attitudes and values. The curriculum content reflects their needs, growing independence and greater responsibility for themselves and others. 

Post-16

Learners have the option to continue PSHE. They follow a programme which is tailored to support them as they journey towards leaving home and living independently for the first time. We aim to ensure that learners are able to build on the skills and knowledge they have developed, and extend their competencies, as they move towards the next stage in their education or careers. 

Bespoke

Where necessary, we also design bespoke PSHE programmes for individual learners based around their specific needs. 

Relationships and Sex Education 

At various points during the academic year, age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education sessions are delivered where learners have opportunities to ask questions that help prepare them for relationships of all kinds in the modern world, and include teaching about: 

  • healthy relationships, including friendships and intimate relationships;  
  • families; 
  • growing and changing, including puberty, personal hygiene and changing feelings; 
  • becoming more independent; 
  • keeping safe and understanding consent; 
  • sexual health, pregnancy and contraception. 

For more information on RSE, a useful guide for parent(s)/carer(s) of secondary-age children is available here.

Online Safety

As a special educational provider delivering a hybrid of online and in-person sessions, we recognise the importance of high-quality online safety teaching and information sharing to enhance and elevate learners’ awareness of working safely online.  Therefore, all young people joining RBAir are required to complete a six-week online safety course; for those of statutory school age this leads to their joining a PSHE group, where online safety is an element of many of our PSHE topics. 

Further Support

An important part of the PSHE work we do with our learners is to show them when, where and how to seek support. We signpost to a range of trusted organisations for further information, advice and support on the range of topics and issues we cover during our PSHE sessions. Some of these organisations are listed here: 

Act On It offer help and support to teenagers and young people to form healthy relationships. 

Childline is available to help any young person up to the age of 19 with any issue they may be going through. 

The Kite Trust support the wellbeing and creativity of LGBTQ+ young people in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas  through information, support and groups.  

Young Minds offer advice and support on a range of mental health issues affecting young people. 

Shout a free, confidential 24-hour text messaging support service for any young person who might be struggling to cope.  

If you would like to discuss any aspects of the PSHE curriculum and content taught by RBAir staff, please contact admin@rbair.org.uk and they will be able to connect you to the relevant member of staff. 

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