To embrace the challenges of creating a happy and successful adult life, students need knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. Students can also put this knowledge into practice as they develop the capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks, challenges and complex contexts.
Everyone faces difficult situations in their lives. This subject can support young people to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know where to access support.
Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is delivered weekly to all year groups, except year 9 where it is delivered fortnightly. PSHE incorporates citizenship, religious education, statutory relationship and sex education (RSE), physical health and mental wellbeing and the law.
Citizenship education helps to provide students with knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society. In particular, it fosters students' awareness and understanding of democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld. It also enables them to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments. The aim is to prepare students to take their place in society as responsible citizens, manage their money well and make sound financial decisions.
At Key Stage 3 students learn about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Students will explore the traditions, beliefs and celebrations within each faith.
At Key Stage 4 students study a wider range of modern faiths and apply their understanding of religion and faith to moral issues.
The aim of RSE is to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. It will enable them to know what a healthy relationship looks like and what makes a good friend, a good colleague and a successful marriage or other type of committed relationship. It also covers contraception, developing intimate relationships and resisting pressure to have sex (and not applying pressure). Students will also be taught about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships.
This will help students understand the positive effects that good relationships have on their mental wellbeing, identify when relationships are not right and understand how such situations can be managed.
It is recognised that there will be a range of opinions regarding RSE. The starting principle when teaching each of these is that the applicable law is taught in a factual way so that students are clear on their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
The programme of study has been designed to be age appropriate, taught in a caring and trusting atmosphere to allow scope for students to ask questions in a safe environment.
Mrs K Raftery
Lead Practitioner and Curriculum Lead for PSHE