Building Stronger Friendships PSHE lesson plan
A PSHE lesson for Years 6 to 8 that helps UK teachers introduce practical strategies for resolving conflict and rebuilding trust within friendships through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Pupils learn how to communicate clearly during disagreements, recognise the impact of their actions on others, and practise ways to repair trust after a friendship has been strained.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Building Stronger Friendships
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to guide pupils through friendship disagreements and practical steps for rebuilding trust. Feedback: 4.2/5 from 95 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Resolving conflict and rebuilding trust between friends
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What pupils will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise that disagreements are a normal part of friendships and do not have to end them
recognise signs that trust has been affected within a friendship
recognise the difference between a one off disagreement and an ongoing pattern of unfair treatment
Understand
understand why clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings from escalating
understand that rebuilding trust takes time and consistent actions
Practise
practise using respectful language to express feelings and needs during a disagreement
practise setting a boundary in a friendship situation
practise identifying a small step that could help repair trust after a falling out
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for pupils in Years 6 to 8 who are developing more complex friendships and beginning to navigate disagreements, changing group dynamics and trust between peers.
It is suitable for:
PSHE lessons focused on relationships and communication
pastoral care, circle time or form time discussions
transition support as pupils move between year groups or schools
relationships education units on healthy friendships
whole class discussions on respect and fairness between peers
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, pupil maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing conflict resolution skills Use when pupils need language for disagreements before problems arise.
Building a respectful classroom culture Use when reinforcing expectations around fairness and respect between peers.
Practising communication strategies Use when pupils are learning how to express feelings and needs clearly.
Preparing for transition Use when friendship groups are changing, such as at the start of a school year.
Reinforcing relationships education Use to extend learning on healthy relationships and communication skills.
Supporting pupils after a friendship disagreement Use to give pupils structured language for repairing trust following a falling out.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Friendships change and disagreements are a normal part of school life. Pupils benefit from having language and strategies to work through these moments, rather than avoiding conflict or letting it damage a friendship altogether. This lesson supports pupils to see disagreement as something that can be managed, not something that automatically ends a relationship. It builds communication, patience and the confidence to take small steps towards repair. For teachers, the lesson supports a classroom culture where pupils feel able to talk through friendship difficulties calmly, and know that support is available if a situation feels too hard to manage alone.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Communication skills Pupils practise expressing feelings and needs clearly during a disagreement.
Emotional awareness Pupils consider how conflict and broken trust affect themselves and others.
Conflict resolution Pupils explore practical steps for working through a friendship disagreement.
Empathy Pupils reflect on how their actions can affect a friend's feelings and trust.
Boundary setting Pupils practise language for setting a respectful boundary with a friend.
Relationship repair Pupils identify small, realistic steps for rebuilding trust after a falling out.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind pupils not to name classmates or describe real disagreements involving other people
Frame discussion around general scenarios rather than personal disclosures
Make clear the lesson is about building skills, not resolving a specific dispute in the room
Be prepared to follow your school's safeguarding procedures and speak with the designated safeguarding lead if a pupil discloses harm or says they feel unsafe
During delivery
Use everyday examples such as misunderstandings, hurt feelings or broken promises between friends
Give pupils time to practise language for expressing how they feel and what they need
Reinforce that repairing trust takes time and does not always require a single conversation to fix
Allow pupils to respond through discussion, written reflection or paired talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage privacy when discussing friendship examples, using general scenarios rather than real names
Remind pupils that support is available if a friendship issue feels difficult to manage alone
Identify a trusted adult pupils can speak to if they need support after the lesson
Adaptation options
Use paired or small group talk for pupils who are confident discussing friendships aloud
Use written reflection or scenario prompts for quieter groups
Spend more time on repair strategies if pupils need extra support putting them into words
