Mental Health: Curriculum

In health education, part of mandatory relationships, sex and health education, there is a strong focus on mental wellbeing, including a recognition that mental wellbeing and physical health are linked. It is important pupils understand that good physical health, for both men and women, contributes to good mental wellbeing.

The aim of teaching pupils about mental wellbeing and physical health is to give them the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, recognise signs of poor health or wellbeing in themselves and others and, when issues arise, seek support as early as possible from appropriate sources.

The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, an expert in education policy, including curriculum and social inequality. The review is looking at the whole of the curriculum and how it fits together to ensure that there is space for schools to provide a curriculum which is rich and broad, inclusive and innovative.