PSHE

Head of Department: Mrs S Newton 

What is PSHE?

Our school is a popular Village College, which draws from a wide catchment area. We are a fully inclusive school, offering specialist support for pupils with autism through our ‘Cabin’; those with SEND through ‘The Centre’; and emotional and behavioural support through ‘KS3&4 Support’. We support pupils with all aspects of diversity, including the LGBTQ+ community, overseen by our Equality and Diversity lead.

Our Personal, Social, Health Education curriculum develops the knowledge and skills that young people need to be safe, healthy and to flourish as citizens in modern Britain. PSHE plays a vital role in supporting the school’s mission to develop pupils and students who are caring, confident, and capable. With input from the Health-Related Behaviour Survey results, Cambs PSHE Service and the PSHE Association, we have developed a spiral curriculum that aims to achieve this through 5 key topics areas each year:

• Health and Well-being
• Living in the Wider World
• Valuing Difference
• Making Good Choices
• Positive Relationships

PSHE affords opportunities to explicitly nurture pupils’ personal and social skills, securing the foundations for them to thrive as adults in their life after school.

**NB we are currently awaiting updated government guidance on amendments to statutory Relationships and Sex Education and advice on Gender Questioning Children in Schools. When this advice has been issued we will examine and update the curriculum accordingly.**

What skills will I develop?

Skills for employability, forming positive relationships, enjoying a healthy and balanced lifestyle and managing risk.

What syllabus will I follow?

PSHE is a non-examined subject and the course is designed around the needs of our pupils based on feedback from surveys and with guidance from both the PSHE Association and the Cambridgeshire PSHE service.

 

Curriculum Extension Time 

Time will be used to support the 5 PSHE Topics (Health and Well-being, Valuing Difference, Healthy Relationships, Managing Risk and Making Good Choices and Living in the Wider World) where it is felt necessary by the Head of PSHE and Senior Leaders of the school. This may vary to meet the needs of specific cohorts year on year.

Assemblies

Assemblies are used to support the PSHE curriculum and reinforce key messages.

What homework will I get?

Year 10: Homework will be to complete the work experience application forms and find a placement.

Year 11: Homework will be to complete their personal statement in readiness for the sixth from/ apprenticeship applications.

How will I be assessed?

PSHE is a non-examined subject which prepares a student for the wider world. Learning PSHE has a positive impact on academic attainment, according to independent Pro Bono Economics review 2017 which concluded that PSHE programmes are effective in developing social and emotional skills, supporting emotional wellbeing, improving physical health, and tackling bullying. The evidence then links these positive outcomes to improved academic attainment: by helping young people to be healthier, happier and safer, PSHE enables them to do better in school across all curriculum areas.

We use self-assessment, ipsative assessment, quizzes and recall questions to assess learning and support memory and retention.

What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?

PSHE equips students with the skills needed to apply for a job in a career they chose. The debating skills they learn can be used in many careers including politics, law and uniformed services. Most of all the skills are transferable to all areas of life to ensure they become a happy, healthy, safe and economically wise adults.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

No. The course will be delivered to all pupils unless parents/carers withdraw permission for RSE lessons. Pupils who have been withdrawn have the right to opt themselves back in to Sex Education three terms before they turn 16. Full details of contents of RSE lessons are available for parents upon request. Please see our RSE Policy for more details on your right to withdraw your child from RSE.

If I need additional support, what can I access?

Resources are available in the library with a wide range of self-help books.

Support services are available in school via the school nurse for pupils wanting more information on contraception and sexual relationships. This includes screening for some STIs.

Pupils are signposted towards further avenues of support relevant to the topic in most lessons.  This always includes talking to a trusted adult at home or in school.

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