Intent of the PSHCE curriculum

The PSHCE curriculum supports our students to be happy, both mentally and physically. It does this by helping them to be resilient, proactive and independent, and by giving them the knowledge they need to develop their moral compass to empower them to make the correct choices in their personal and academic lives. Our curriculum supports students to achieve their potential by promoting their wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect their ability to learn. Our PSHCE curriculum champions diversity, respect and empathy for others. It celebrates difference and challenges discrimination. All young people can see themselves reflected in the inclusive curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to work with their peers, to articulate their opinions and debate differing points of view.

There are three key themes running throughout the PSHCE curriculum: Health and Wellbeing; Relationships and Sex Education; and Living in the Wider World. The health and wellbeing strand helps students to be emotionally and physically healthy so they can thrive in and out of school, tackling issues that can prevent them from achieving their potential. Through relationships and sex education, students learn how to make safe choices and where to go for support. They develop their knowledge of what constitutes disrespectful and unacceptable behaviour and learn about all types of stable, respectful and loving relationships and how they are created and nurtured, so this is something they aspire for themselves. By focusing on living in the wider world, students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, in the workplace and as members of society. They learn how to manage the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face as they grow up.

Implementation of the PSHCE curriculum

We deliver a relevant, preventative and proactive curriculum that pre-empts possible future issues. The statutory content and guidance on relationships and sex education, as well as health education is delivered. The Citizenship National curriculum is delivered at both KS3 and KS4, and careers education to all years. A spiral learning model has been adopted, so students revisit themes several times throughout their time at school, with the complexity of the content increasing each time and links made between prior and new learning.  This enables knowledge to be embedded and allows for an in-depth development of important topics for the long-term benefit of our students. Key terminology will be discussed in lessons to broaden students’ vocabulary.

There will be a breath of learning opportunities and the needs of all our students will be catered for.  Lessons will be a mixture of teacher led activities, independent work, group work and debates, with outside speakers on occasions sharing their expertise. The curriculum will be delivered in a climate that clarifies boundaries, maintains respect and enables students to discuss information and issues, including sensitive topics, safely and effectively. Challenging topics will be taught with sensitivity, with teachers using their pastoral knowledge of their tutor group to notice potential issues.

Impact of curriculum Ultimately, our PSHCE curriculum ensures students develop the attributes, skills and knowledge (ASK) they need to achieve their academic potential and to manage their lives, now and in the future, so they leave school equipped for later life. Its impact will be measured through:

• Assessment opportunities: Baseline assessments at the start of topics; formative assessment opportunities; self-reflection summative assessments to establish the attributes, skills & knowledge (ASK) developed. These inform the learning process and identify further learning needs
• Lesson observations and work scrutinises
• Feedback from students and teachers to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum