Intent

PSHE is at the core of what we do at Hednesford Valley High School and enables students to become independent, confident, healthy, and responsible members of society, as well as developing them morally, socially, and spiritually.  Our intention is that when the students leave school they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive, and successful role in today’s society.  In an ever-changing world it is important that the students are aware of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being and learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future life.

Implementation

PSHE Education at Hednesford Valley High School is taught in a variety of ways including through dedicated PSHE lessons, assemblies and specific events including Anti Bullying Day, National Careers Week and Mental Health Awareness Week. Our curriculum aims to provide students with; a sound understanding of their role as a citizen now and in the future, the opportunity to consider wider societal and personal issues and the ability to develop critical thinking to make safe and informed decisions. 

In line with the Government’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education Guidance, Hednesford Valley High School has committed to developing students’ awareness in three key areas, including; 

·        Mental Health & Wellbeing 

·        Relationships  

·        Living in the Wider World

In addition to dedicated PSHE Education lessons, Form Tutors cover topical PSHE stories/issues in tutor time and aim to contextualise the lesson-based learning of students, making them accessible, relatable, and current affairs based. This encourages our students to gain a wider understanding of the world they live in and to debate differing views whilst respecting the views of others. 

Core Theme Overviews

Topics taught in PSHE are ‘spiral’ and developmental. The aim is that knowledge and understanding is built upon through the academic years whilst also looking to make cross curricular links, where possible and appropriate e.g. drugs education and SRE, to enrich student’s awareness. Topics are aimed at the developmental stage of students and are revised regularly to ensure they are suitable for our students. Topics come under the following 3 Core Themes of the PSHE Curriculum:

Core Theme 1 – Health & Wellbeing

This Core Theme covers mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Enriching understanding of what mental ill health can look like, healthy coping mechanisms that can be used to manage mental ill health and how to promote positive mental wellbeing in yourself and others. The topics developed further into looking at the links between physical and mental health and the impacts this can have on emotional wellbeing in the now and in the future. 

Core Theme includes: Anti Bullying, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Tolerance, Diversity in the Media, Drugs Education, Cookery

Core Theme 2 - Relationships

This Core Theme covers the development of healthy relationships and incorporates the statutory requirements of Sex and Relationships Education. The topic explores how to build healthy relationships with family and peers before looking at romantic relationships, consent, contraception/pregnancy choices and development of the family unit. The aim is to equip students with knowledge to make informed choices, behave in a respectful and appropriate manner and understand the law around Sex, Relationships and Media.

Core Theme includes: Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), Community, Relationships & The Abuse of Power

Core Theme 3 – Living in the Wider World

This Core Theme covers the development of students as part of their wider community. Developing awareness global issues, different cultures and of how developmental stages can influence personal change, students look to enhance their understanding of broader topics and gain practical and useful understanding of topics covered to develop healthy discussion, make informed and appropriate decisions and contribute positively to their local and wider community.

Core Theme includes: Personal Finance, The Legal System, Social Justice, Medical Ethics, Careers, Values & Global Education, Personal Safety and Diversity & Awareness.

Assessment

The model of assessment used in PSHE is ipsative assessment.  Ipsative assessment compares where a student is at the end of a lesson or a series of lessons against where they were at the beginning of the lesson(s).  Each topic also has ‘I can’ statements which students can be assessed against as to whether they are working towards, working at, or working beyond across the three core themes.