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Core theme: Health & Wellbeing
Physical health

Learning about physical health includes food choices, physical activity, balanced lifestyles, drugs and alcohol education, first aid, healthy sleep behaviours and dental health.

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Teaching about physical health helps pupils make informed decisions. Our tools and lesson plans support effective, age (and stage) appropriate teaching.
LS
Lydia Stober
Subject Specialist

Teaching about physical health

Schools are required teach about physical health as part of statutory Health Education. We’ve got all the tools and resources you need to plan, sequence and deliver this content effectively through your PSHE education curriculum.

The Association really helped me to introduce preventative drugs education to my PSHE curriculum. I see a real difference in my pupils’ understanding of the risks and harms.

PSHE Association member

See where physical health fits within your PSHE education curriculum using our Programme of Study (key stages 1-5). And use our Curriculum Models to translate the relevant learning opportunities into a tailored, fully sequenced PSHE education curriculum for your school. 

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Training

KS 3-4

Effective drug and alcohol education – secondary
30 mins School Plus members

Learn how to address current trends in drug and alcohol-related issues through the PSHE curriculum and as part of a whole-school approach.

KS 1-5

Working with visitors
10 mins School Plus members

Top tips on working with visitors in PSHE education

Guidance

Working with external visitors
KS1-5
Ensure external visitors or speakers make a safe and effective contribution to your school's PSHE programme, in line with the 2025 RSHE statutory guidance.
Choosing PSHE education resources
KS1-5
15 top tips to help you choose PSHE education resources to use in the classroom.
Pupil and teacher questionnaires
KS1-5
Use our questionnaires to engage with your pupils and staff team, in line with the statutory 2026 RSHE requirements.
Handling complex issues and creating a safe learning environment
KS1-5
Guidance and top tips on setting ground rules and distancing learning in PSHE education.
See all guidance

Research and evidence

Drug and alcohol evidence review
Published: March 25, 2022
Evidence review exploring key research and strategies to help teach effective drug and alcohol education at KS1-4.
The link between pupil health and wellbeing attainment
Published: October 11, 2021
KS1-4
Published by Public Health England, this report outlines evidence that promoting pupil health and wellbeing as part of a whole-school approach can also have a positive impact on educational outcomes.
Good policy and practice in health education
Published: October 11, 2021
Collaborative report from the UNODC, UNESCO and the WHO, examining the fundamental responsibility the education sector has to protect children and young people from substance use.