Character & Mindfulness (PSHE Education)
Our students' physical, social and health education are incredibly important to us and starts the minute children join us in Reception.
Primary Character and Mindfulness - supporting students in the modern world
We work on our ability to regulate ourselves, build independence and even support our mental health with the Healthy Minds Programme, which is used across Primary.
Students learn about the importance of brushing teeth, to the impact of peer pressure, to social media and the influence of AI in the modern world. Our Character and Mindfulness lessons are there to support students in the modern world and the curriculum adapts to the needs of our students and the changes in the world around us.
The team behind the curriculum are constantly working with the students and in school student leadership groups, such as the ‘Change Makers’, to make sure that student voice has a key part in the learning that takes place. Our Character Days are a wonderful opportunity for us to share those elements of character we feel will shape us into the future generation.
Character and Mindfulness lessons grow in complexity with the students. In partnership with parents, we have designed a Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum which allows us to fully prepare students at every age for the world around them.
Secondary Character and Mindfulness - personal development
Our secondary Character and Mindfulness curriculum is a cornerstone of personal development at Harris Garrard Academy. Designed for a richly diverse community, it is inclusive and responsive to local and national challenges such as mental health, online safety, healthy relationships, and socio-economic disadvantage.
Students engage with topics that build cultural capital and prepare them for life in modern Britain. Lessons cover:
- health and wellbeing
- relationships and consent
- and living in the wider world, including careers education, financial literacy, and social justice.
This contextual approach ensures students understand their rights and responsibilities, develop critical thinking, and gain the confidence to navigate complex social and economic landscapes.
By embedding our school values of respect, resilience and rigour, the curriculum equips students with the emotional, social, and ethical foundations needed to thrive academically and personally.
The impact of this curriculum extends beyond the classroom, fostering independence, active citizenship, and employability skills that drive social mobility.
By promoting resilience, digital literacy, and informed decision-making, we empower students to overcome barriers, broaden aspirations, and access opportunities in higher education and the workplace – ultimately transforming lives and enabling success in a rapidly changing world.
For further details...
For further details of our Primary Character and Mindfulness curriculum please contact Angina Anderson.
For further details of our Secondary Character and Mindfulness curriculum please contact Ruth Lowe r.lowe@harrisgarrard.org.uk.
Our Character and Mindfulness programme is part of our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education, which is also taught through school assemblies. You can download our Relationships and Sex Education Policy from the 'Teaching and Learning' section of our Policies page.
Click HERE to download the Character and Mindfulness curriculum overview.