Health and Wellbeing

Overview

This 60-minute PSHE session is designed for Year 7 students (age 11-12) to explore physical and mental health, with a focus on sleep, oral health, and screen time. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England (PSHE Association Programme of Study) particularly under the Health and Wellbeing strand. It fosters knowledge, self-awareness, and practical skills to make informed choices about lifestyle and wellbeing.

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Curriculum Links and Learning Outcomes

Relevant national objectives:

• Pupils should know:
  • How to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing (Physical health & Mental wellbeing)
  • The benefits of daily physical activity and sufficient sleep
  • How to maintain good oral health and the consequences of poor oral hygiene
  • The positive and negative influences of screen time on health and relationships
• Pupils should be able to:
  • Recognise how to maintain good mental and physical health
  • Understand the importance of managing screen time responsibly
  • Develop strategies to support their own sleep hygiene and oral health practices
  • Engage in discussions sensitively and reflect on their own lifestyle

(PSHE Association Programme of Study, Health and Wellbeing strand, Key Stage 3)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Describe the importance of physical health, specifically the role of sleep and oral hygiene.
2. Identify signs of good and poor mental health and discuss strategies to improve mental wellbeing.
3. Explain the positive and negative impacts of screen time on physical and mental health.
4. Participate in group activities and create a personal plan to improve sleep, oral health, or screen time management.

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Resources Needed

• Interactive quiz platform (Kahoot or printed quiz cards)
• Whiteboard/flip chart and markers
• Paper, coloured pens, and sticky notes
• Prepared fact sheets on sleep, oral health, mental health, and screen time
• Timer or stopwatch

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Timing and Activities

Time	Activity	Details & Purpose
0-5 mins	Starter: Health Icebreaker	Quick pair-share: "Name one thing you do daily to keep fit or feel happy." Students share with neighbour, then a few examples with whole class. Sets engagement and relevance.
5-15 mins	Interactive Quiz: Health Fact or Myth?	Use quiz cards or digital tool. Questions cover sleep, oral health, mental health facts, and screen time myths. Energises the class and assesses prior knowledge.
15-30 mins	Group Discussion and Sorting Activity	In 6 groups (5 students each), students receive mixed statements about sleep habits, oral health, mental health signs, and screen time effects. Task: Sort into ‘Helpful’, ‘Harmful’, or ‘Neutral’. Followed by group feedback. Supports critical thinking and discussion skills.
30-45 mins	Creative Task: Design a 'Healthy Habits' Poster	Each group chooses one topic (sleep, oral health, or screen time) to create a colourful, informative poster that includes tips and advice for their peers. Encourages creativity and peer teaching.
45-55 mins	Personal Reflection and Planning	Individually, students write down one small change they will try to improve their sleep, oral hygiene, or screen time management on sticky notes. Volunteers share ideas briefly. Builds personal connection and goal-setting skills.
55-60 mins	Plenary: 3-2-1 Summary and Feedback	3 things learned, 2 questions, 1 thing they will do differently. Teacher collects feedback to review understanding and engagement. Wraps up the lesson with reflection.

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Detailed Description of Key Activities

1. Interactive Quiz – Fact or Myth?

Students must decide whether statements like "You should brush your teeth twice a day" or "Screen time before bed helps you sleep better" are true or false. This activity instantly highlights misconceptions and provides accurate health information.

2. Group Sorting Activity

Statements provided could include:

• "Getting 9 hours of sleep is too much for teenagers."
• "Regular exercise improves mental health."
• "Brushing teeth once per day is enough."
• "Watching screens close to bedtime can disrupt sleep."
• "Feeling stressed sometimes is normal."

Students collaborate to categorise and explain their choices, fostering dialogue and empathy. The teacher circulates to prompt deeper thinking and correct inaccuracies.

3. Creative Poster Design

Groups act as health promoters, employing persuasive language and visuals. They must use clear, age-appropriate messaging and practical tips that could realistically improve classmates’ habits.

4. Personal Reflection

This quiet, focused activity encourages students to take ownership of their health choices. Sharing promotes a supportive classroom atmosphere and may raise peer motivation.

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Assessment Suggestions

• Formative through teacher observation during group and individual tasks: participation, understanding, ability to articulate health principles.
• Quiz results to gauge baseline and gained knowledge.
• Quality and accuracy of posters as a creative summative assessment.
• Personal plans as evidence of internalisation and commitment to change.

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Differentiation

• Support weaker readers with simplified fact sheets and vocabulary assistance.
• Challenge higher attaining students to lead group discussions and extend ideas in their posters.
• Provide writing frames for the reflection activity to scaffold expression.

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Inclusion and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural) Development

• Inclusive grouping to encourage diverse perspectives, promoting social skills.
• Discuss mental health openly to reduce stigma, fostering moral responsibility.
• Explore impacts of technology on wellbeing in modern society, encouraging critical cultural awareness.
• Encourage reflection on personal habits to nurture spiritual wellbeing through self-awareness.

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Extension Ideas

• Set up a week-long ‘Healthy Habits’ challenge as homework with daily targets on sleep, oral health, or reduced screen time.
• Invite a local health professional (dentist or mental health counsellor) for a Q&A session on these topics.
• Create a digital journal for students to track sleep and screen time for further reflection.

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With this engaging, interactive lesson, students gain knowledge and practical strategies consistent with the National Curriculum, ensuring PSHE coverage that equips young people for healthier lives.