Community Health Messages PSHE lesson
A PSHE lesson for Years 1 and 2 that helps UK teachers introduce community health messages through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson plan. Pupils learn to recognise familiar health and safety messages, understand how these messages help people make healthy choices, and begin to connect this learning to staying safe in different environments, such as school, home and public spaces.
Diversity, Equality & Society
Snapshot
Community Health Messages
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce health messages and safe choices across different everyday environments.
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Recognising health messages and understanding how they support healthy choices
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 common health messages used in different environments, such as signs, symbols or simple instructions
recognise that health messages can appear at school, at home and in public spaces
recognise that some environments have different rules or messages depending on their purpose
Understand
understand how health messages help people make healthy and safe choices
understand that health messages are there to support everyone in the community, not just some people
Practise
practise identifying examples of health messages from everyday settings
practise explaining in simple terms what a health message is asking people to do
practise talking about staying safe in different environments using everyday language
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for younger primary pupils who are beginning to notice health and safety messages in their everyday environment.
It is suitable for:
early primary PSHE lessons
relationships and health education
pastoral care, circle time or form time
introductory work on community and belonging
early learning about staying safe in different places
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 health messages Use when pupils are new to noticing signs, symbols and instructions that support healthy choices.
Building understanding of community spaces Use when pupils are learning about different environments, such as school, home or public places.
Reinforcing safe routines Use when revisiting classroom or school safety routines connected to health messages.
Supporting a topic on community and belonging Use when exploring how health messages apply to everyone, regardless of background.
Preparing for a new environment or transition Use when pupils are preparing to visit, or move into, a new setting with different rules or messages.
Creating a structured PSHE discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led discussion about health messages and healthy choices.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Pupils come across health messages everywhere, from classroom posters to road signs, and benefit from learning what these messages mean and why they matter. Understanding health messages early helps pupils build the skills to notice useful information and make sensible, healthy choices as they move between different environments. The lesson also supports a sense of fairness and belonging, helping pupils understand that health messages are there to support everyone in the community, whatever their background.
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
Awareness Pupils notice health messages used in different environments.
Understanding Pupils consider why health messages exist and what they ask people to do.
Communication Pupils practise explaining health messages in simple language.
Decision making Pupils connect health messages to making healthy, safe choices.
Community awareness Pupils recognise that health messages apply to everyone in a community.
Safety awareness Pupils build early understanding of staying safe in different environments.
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 specific people or share personal stories about their family or home
Frame discussion around general examples of health messages, not personal situations
Gather a few simple, familiar examples of health messages from school or community settings
Identify trusted adults pupils can speak to if they have questions about safety
During delivery
Use simple, familiar examples such as signs, symbols or instructions pupils may already recognise
Give pupils time to talk through what a message is asking people to do
Keep discussion calm and factual rather than focused on fear or risk
Allow pupils to respond through discussion, drawing or partner talk depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Use general examples rather than personal disclosures
Avoid asking pupils to speak on behalf of a particular group, culture or background
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.
Adaptation options
Use drawing or matching activities for pupils who need more visual support
Extend discussion to more environments for pupils ready for additional examples
Spend more time on trusted adults if pupils need support identifying who to ask for help
