Life Education
Overview of Department
Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way to secure bright futures for all.
Key Stage Three and Four Life Education at Rye College
Life Education combines PSHE, RSHE, and SMSC, following PSHE Association guidelines across three strands: Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World, and Relationships. The curriculum equips students with the knowledge, skills, and resilience to stay healthy, safe, and prepared for life and work.
Topics include careers education, financial wellbeing, mental health, online safety, substance education, RSHE, PREVENT, bullying, and current affairs. RSHE, statutory since 2020, helps students make informed decisions about health, relationships, and self-esteem, while building resilience and knowing when to seek support.
Aligned with Our Values
Our Life Education programme is closely linked to Rye College values—Proud, Positive, Employable, Kind, Committed—and promotes British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect. Through discussion-based lessons, students learn to express views respectfully, understand diverse perspectives, and develop confidence to make positive choices.
Delivery at Rye College
- Mentor Programme: 2×30 mins weekly – Living in the Wider World & Health and Wellbeing
- Life Education Lessons: 1×60 mins fortnightly – Specialist RSHE topics (e.g., healthy relationships, harmful sexual behaviour, gangs, knife crime)
- Bespoke Events: Theatre in Education, Sussex Police, Breck Foundation, Safer Roads Partnership
Teaching follows a spiral curriculum, revisiting topics annually at age-appropriate levels. Lessons are discussion-based in a safe, respectful environment. See our PSHE policy for more details.
Life Education Journeys Mapped To Values
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Employable
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Committed
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Kind
Our Life Education Learning Journey - Positive
Life Education Learning Journeys Through Key Stage 3 and 4
Life Education Learning Journey Map
Life Education Long Term Plan and Progression Map
Life Education Long Term Plan 2025_26
Life Education Progression Map