Curricular Wellbeing
At KES, our bespoke Wellbeing Curriculum integrates key elements of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education with critical thinking, life skills, and a strong focus on personal development and wellbeing. This holistic programme goes beyond academic content, supporting pupils in developing interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and social competence.
Rooted in real-life relevance and cross-curricular connections, the curriculum empowers pupils to become independent thinkers, confident communicators, and reflective individuals. It equips them with the tools to navigate relationships, make informed decisions, and engage respectfully with others — even in challenging situations.
Our primary aim is to support the personal development and wellbeing of every pupil. Through a carefully designed progression of learning, we help them build the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours needed to manage their health, wellbeing, and responsibilities effectively. In doing so, we prepare pupils not only for academic success but for a fulfilling, balanced, and responsible life in today’s world.
Curricular Wellbeing Topics
There are curricular wellbeing classes for Year 7 to Year 11 at King Edwards. In addition, both Lower and Upper Sixth Form benefit from Foundation Studies sessions where a variety of relevant and engaging sessions, frequently involving external speakers, are delivered.
Year 7
Term 1: organisation, communication, friendships, boundaries, anti-bullying
Term 2: respect, communication, mental health, cyber safety, neurodiversity
Term 3: drugs, alcohol and tobacco, keeping healthy, climate change, careers
Year 8
Term 1: environment, emotional intelligence, friendships, Imperialism, anti-bullying, stereotypes, social norms, gender identities
Term 2: courts and legal system, bereavement, suicide, sexting, myths and facts about sex, relationships, consent, neurodiversity, careers
Term 3: gratitude, emotional resilience, eating disorders, gambling, peer pressure, illegal drugs, consumer rights, budgeting, purpose of life
Year 8 are taught Wellbeing by pastoral staff who have been trained to deliver difficult topics, in two periods per fortnight.
Year 9
Term 1: sleep, eating, environment, bereavement, family models, disability awareness, imperialism, anti-bullying, radicalisation, racism
Term 2: careers, abuse, sexual harassment, sex, consent, pornography, body image, mental health, online footprint, careers
Term 3: institutional sexism, same sex relationships, exam stress, citizenship, encountering drugs alcohol and tobacco, self-awareness, resilience, materialism
Year 10
Term 1: environment, drugs and the law, self harm, censorship, imperialism, gaslighting, emotional literacy
Term 2: mental health in adults, online relationships, healthy intimate relationships, contraception and STI’s, abortion
Term 3: gender identity, sexism, careers, citizenship
Year 11
Term 1: circular economy, sexual norms and expectations, pornography, rape culture, imperialism, respectful relationships, tax and finances
Term 2: eating disorders, exam stress, festivals parties and going out, careers
Co-curricular Wellbeing
The co-curricular provision at the School is central to all five of the ‘PERMA’ goals. Non-academic activities contribute towards increasing Positive Emotions, teach students to engage in a task and seek to become better at it purely for the sake of trying to something well, help foster positive Relationships both between students and also between students and staff, can help derive Meaning and satisfaction in life and create a sense of positive accomplishment.
Clubs and Opportunities
Given the swathe of research showing the wellbeing benefits of exercise and playing music there are a wealth of both sporting and musical clubs to choose from. Outside of this, other clubs which promote good mental health and can provide mindful opportunities include;
- Art Character Design (Year 7 and Lower School)
- Library leaders (all years)
- Cactus Club (all years)
- Card Games (all years)
- Chess (all years)
- Cookery (Year 10)
- Diversity Societies – aimed at supporting all of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion goals of the School' (all years)
- Debating Club (all years)
- Doodle Club (all years)
- E-Safety Cyber Ambassadors (by selection)
- Hobbies Club (all years)
- Scamp Club (all years)
- Sewing Club (Year 8)
