FAQs
We’ve done our best to cover the most commonly asked questions below. However if you still have an unanswered query, use the form at the bottom of the page or send an email to support@connect-pshe.org.
What’s so special about Connect?
Today's children face unique challenges and their wellbeing and mental health is under huge pressure - even more so given what has happened recently with coronavirus, school closures and lockdown.
Connect is the first PSHE curriculum that is guided by the scientific literature. Specifically, that psychologically healthy people tend to engage in 6 behaviours (connecting with others, challenging oneself, giving to others, exercising, embracing the moment and self-care), and our curriculum is built around them. Find out more about these on our Approach page.
We train teaching staff in the ‘DNA-V model’, an evidence-based wellbeing approach for young people, through our 3-hour online training course. At Connect PSHE we are committed to providing a curriculum that really works. We have an active Connect research program, where we measure the impact that the curriculum has on wellbeing, behaviour, academic performance, pro-social actions and even friendship networks.
What do I get with my Connect subscription?
Instant access to over 250 weekly lesson plans (with associated PowerPoint files, handouts and audio files) that are divided arranged according to age (and year group); that is, there are 36 Lesson plans for each year group from Reception to Year 6 (ages 4-11), plus an Introductory Term for each year group, so the children get familiar with the key language and concepts. You also get access to our Toolbox with bonus reference materials and printable resources, such as end-of-term certificates.
Our online Training platform is instantly available upon purchase, so you can start your journey to becoming Connect Accredited straight away. We recommend the training for all teachers that will be delivering Connect PSHE lessons. The training consists of 6 videos (3 hours in length altogether to watch the videos but a bit more if you do the exercises) that walk you through how best to use our curriculum.
You will have access to our online forum, a place where teachers can share their experiences and advice and where any queries can be addressed. Our Connect Team can respond to any question here really quickly, or we are always on hand at hello@connect-pshe.org to offer support and answer questions.
What is the online training all about?
The training is for all teaching staff in the DNA-V model via a series of in-depth videos. We do this because (1) it is important that teachers know the model in order to be able to deliver the lesson plans effectively and (2) because we want the school to immerse themselves in the language of the model so that it can be useful at any point i.e. we feel that 45 minutes a week of intervention may not hit home but teachers that are fluent in the model might use the language at other times throughout the week.
The training covers:
The current UK statutory guidance around PSHE
An introduction to the 6 Ways To Wellbeing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and the DNA-V model
How to navigate and use the Connect PSHE curriculum
Can you come and train us?
We do offer face-to-face training at an extra cost. If you are interested in this then please contact us either via the contact form or by emailing hello@connect-pshe.org to discuss your bespoke training needs.
Does Connect PSHE cover the new Department for Education statutory outcomes?
Yes! The DfE guidance on Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education takes effect in Summer 2021 and this new curriculum ensures you meet all your statutory requirements for relationships and health education. A summary document outlining how Connect meets each of these outcomes is included in the Toolbox as part of our free trial.
How much does it cost?
A yearly subscription to the Connect PSHE curriculum starts from just £150 (+VAT for UK subscribers) for smaller settings such as clinics, and costs between £300-£600 (+VAT for UK subscribers) for schools depending on the number of pupils. Please see our Subscribe page for more information on our payment bands.
Can I download the resources to my school’s server?
Yes - as long as your Connect subscription is active, feel free to download the materials from the member’s area and save them for ease of access. Please do not share our materials with anyone who does not hold an active Connect subscription, or share to any unsecured or public facing website.
While we are happy for you to download our resources, please note that you are only permitted to use the Connect PSHE curriculum if you have an active subscription; if you choose not to renew your yearly subscription, you are prohibited by law to use any Connect branded materials which are the intellectual property of Connect PSHE. Any downloaded copies must be removed from your system at this point, to protect our copyright.
You can find out more on our Terms & Conditions page.
Do I have to do the terms in order?
No - while the Connect PSHE curriculum is structured such that the terms are arranged in a specific order (Term 1 - Exercise, Term 2 - Self-Care, etc.), each term - or each block of 6 lessons - does not follow on from the last. As such, the terms can be taught in any order - for example, if you have a school theme about charity around Christmas, you may choose to teach Give To Others (Term 3) during Term 2 instead, to coincide with this.
Within each term, however, the lessons (Lesson 1 - Discoverer, Lesson 2 - Noticer etc.) should be delivered following the order in which they have been arranged.
Does Connect meet the needs of the Welsh Curriculum?
Health and Wellbeing (H & W) is now at the centre of most modern and progressive education systems. Such systems acknowledge (1) the key role that schools play in the life chances of children and (2) how H & W should be integrated into core curriculum. Wales is no exception to this. The Health and Wellbeing Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) in the Welsh Curriculum recognises that good H & W is a key enabler of successful learning and lays the foundation for better life-long prospects.
Connect provides Welsh schools with a ready-made H & W curriculum that serves to meet the upcoming changes in the statutory requirements outlined in the new curriculum for Wales and is closely aligned with the Health & Wellbeing AoLE.
It is important to add that a significant research program is currently underway in partnership with Bangor University. The program has three broad aims (1) to translate Connect into Welsh (2) to conduct a detailed mapping exercise to illustrate how Connect meets the needs of the Welsh Curriculum and (3) to conduct some preliminary evaluation work. If you would like to see how Connect meets these needs, then you will find more information here.
If you are a Welsh school and have any questions, then please do reach out via our contact form.