Personal, Social and Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE)

In this Church of England School, Citizenship and PSHE play an integral part in providing a secure and caring environment and the opportunities to develop skills and values, so that each boy can realise his full potential and prepare for adult life.

General:
to support students’ learning across the curriculum

Curriculum:
to ensure that the cross curricular themes of health, Careers, Citizenship, SRE, financial capability and environmental issues are considered in each key stage

Personal:
to develop self esteem and a sense of responsibility

Social:
to develop interpersonal skills and relationships between students for life in a multicultural society

Community:
to develop links with the community and to prepare students for life in a multi- cultural society

OBJECTIVES

The Citizenship and PSHE course is developmental and builds on previous experiences and outcomes, as the students progress through the school. For example in Year 7, we aim to ensure a smooth transition from Primary to Secondary (through the PSHE induction programme) and to equip students with the skills required in order for them to become effective learners and useful members of the school. In Year 8, relationships and the emergence of adolescent pressures help to develop the personal and social aspects of the programme, additionally they are taught how to make informed choices in matters relating to option choices. The Citizenship and PSHE schemes of work aim to be supportive of the school curriculum, dynamic by challenging and changing the students’ attitudes, influential by developing a responsible attitude to study and developmental by encouraging students to respond, reflect and grow in maturity.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Students must appreciate that certain discussions in areas such as Child Protection and certain aspects of Sex Education, a promise of confidentiality cannot be given. Disclosures must be reported to the designated teacher for child protection (Mrs E Sims, Child Protection Officer and Miss I Phillips, Deputy Child Protection Officer)

PSHCE is not only taught as a discrete subject but is also an integral part of other subjects in the curriculum, as well as being covered in assemblies and out of school activities.

Programmes of Study

In Years 7 to 10, all students have one lesson per week. Students undertake many types of activities such as written work, group discussion, role play and display work. Use is made of videos and outside visitors/speakers when possible and/or appropriate. All programmes cover a range of personal, local, national and international issues. This work is currently not subject to formal assessment but plans are being introduced for the levelling of citizenship by the end of KS3 by 2011.

Year 7 programme

Main topics covered are : rights and responsibilities, codes of behaviour, citizenship, puberty, personal safety, bullying, personal hygiene, smoking, alcohol and drugs, personal finance and democracy.

Year 8 programme

Main topics covered are: careers, SRE, personal safety, drugs, family life, communities, democracy, the legal system, Europe

Year 9 programme

Main topics covered are: careers, future plans, SRE, mental health, family problems, government, media, community groups, the legal system, finance, world conflict, refugees

Year 10 programme

Main topics covered are: Personal development, leisure, preparation for work experience, future plans, Sexual health, stress, relationships, parenthood.

The right of withdrawal

Section 241 of the Education Act 1993 gives parents the right to withdraw their children from any or all parts of a school’s programme of sex education, other than those elements which are required by the National Curriculum Science Order.

Homework

Homework is not officially set in PSHCE but may be required from time to time. It would help if you could provide access to appropriate reference material such as newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and books on an ongoing basis. Please also encourage your child to discuss the issues raised in lessons with you.