PSHE Policy

1.1 The PSHE curriculum is the ethos, expectations and standards we hold dear as a school as we constantly strive to broaden students’ horizons through a range of experiences, challenges and opportunities that they would be unlikely to encounter if we did not provide them.

1.2 PSHE is a curriculum subject, which combines:

• Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
• Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)
• Religious Education (RE)
• Citizenship
• Careers and financial capability
• British Values and Diversity

1.3 The curriculum is revised annually to meet the needs of our pupils and to reflect current local and national issues and research.

1.4 We fully commit to The PSHE Association definition, that “PSHE education is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.”

1.5 We believe PSHE education contributes to our statutory responsibilities in providing a broadly based and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils and helps promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

1.6 We have developed a planned PSHE education programme that covers a wide range of issues such as: relationship and sex education; drug and alcohol education; emotional health and wellbeing; diet and healthy lifestyles; risk and safety education; careers education; work-related learning, and financial capability as part of our curriculum offer.

1.7 We realise that although PSHE is non-statutory we are still expected to plan, coordinate, monitor and evaluate it. Some topics such as relationships and sex education, drug and alcohol education, careers education, and work-related learning do have a statutory basis.

1.8 Although students have one 55-minute lesson a week we believe PSHE education must be developed as a whole-school approach (and not in isolation) by engaging pupils across the curriculum. Therefore, our PSHE curriculum, academic and character curriculum work together to create experiences that enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of both themselves, others and the world around them.

1.9 We aim to provide an outstanding PSHE education programme by drawing on good practice as we realise that PSHE education contributes to several key judgements in the new inspection framework such as quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

2.1 This policy applies to all members of the school and relates to the following legislation:

• Education Act 1996
• Standards and Framework Act 1998
• Children Act 2004
• Education & Inspections Act 2006
• Equality Act 2010
• Education Act 2011
• Children and Families Act 2014
• The Children and Social Work Act 2017

3.1 In delivering this policy, we aim:

• To provide pupils with accurate and relevant knowledge.
• To provide pupils with opportunities to turn that knowledge into personal understanding.
• To provide pupils with opportunities to explore, clarify and, if necessary, challenge their own and others’ values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities.
• To provide pupils with the skills, language and strategies they need in order to live healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced lives.
• To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation connected to this policy.
• To work with other schools, partners and the local authority to share good practice in order to improve this policy.

4.1 Our PSHE curriculum equips students with the knowledge and understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them, supporting them through their development with us and into their futures. Our curriculum covers a broad range of topics, outlined in this policy, which places students’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural development at its heart. The curriculum provides a basis in which students can explore risks, understand how to manage risks and where to seek help, through their time with us and into the future.

4.2 Our PSHE curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, experiences and skills in order to achieve. Through the PSHE curriculum students learn to:

• Develop curiosity, resilience, responsibility and respect
• Develop leadership skills and understand how to empower and help others
• Reflect on how their choices affect themselves, those around them and their community
• Understand what a healthy lifestyle is, understanding risks, risky behaviour and where to obtain help, guidance and support, both within school and in wider life
• Maintain healthy relationships with themselves and others
• Understand how to keep safe, both online and offline
• Explore individual identity and the importance of community, including their role as a community citizen
• Develop an understanding of difference, diversity and the importance of inclusion and can articulate what respect for difference looks like
• Be reflective of their own and the beliefs of others, developing morally, socially and spiritually
• Understand modern Britain, British Values and discuss current political, social, ethical, spiritual and moral issues of the 21^st century
• Develop their understanding of post-16 pathways, financial capability and the world of work

5.1 Students have one timetabled PSHE lesson each week, in which the formal PSHE curriculum is delivered. Each year students study a combination of six PSHE units. Our PSHE curriculum is designed so that the knowledge of students is developed as they progress through the curriculum. Each year students study a combination of units which are age appropriate; support the pastoral and academic curriculum and provide students with a curriculum that is suited to their age, key stage and year group.

6.1 The headteacher has:

• Appointed a member of staff to be responsible for coordinating PSHE;
• Responsibility for ensuring full compliance with all statutory responsibilities;
• Responsibility for ensuring that the school complies with all equalities legislation;
• Responsibility for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this policy.

6.2 The Curriculum Lead for PSHE will:

• Ensure all school personnel, pupils and parents are aware of and comply with this policy;
• Take a whole-school approach;
• Lead the development of PSHE throughout the school;
• Ensure good practice is shared throughout the school and within the PSHE department;
• Provide leadership and vision in respect of equality obligations and duties as outlined in the legislation referenced above;
• Make effective use of relevant research and information to improve this policy;
• Provide guidance, support and training to all staff;
• Quality assure and monitor the effectiveness of this policy through school quality assurance procedures;
• Consult with stakeholders, including parents, staff and students;
• Work with the Safeguarding Team, where relevant, to enhance the design and delivery of the PSHE curriculum where intent and topics overlap.