PSHCE

Welcome to PSHCE at Kingsmead!

Kingsmead’s PSHCE Programme of Study aims to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, teamworking and critical thinking for students to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life and work in the context of three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education). In each term, students are taught on rotation by designated teams of staff for personal relationships, social pressures, healthy lifestyles, citizenship and economic wellbeing.  All students and staff participate in a focus on values in the final term of the year.

The national curriculum states that ‘all schools should make provision for personal, social, health and economic education, drawing on good practice'. PSHCE contributes to Kingsmead’s statutory duties outlined in the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010 to provide a balanced and broadly-based curriculum and is essential to Ofsted judgements in relation to personal development, behaviour, welfare and safeguarding. The health, relationships and sex education aspects of PSHCE will be compulsory in all schools from 2020. 

Personal Relationships covers topics including:  features, types and building of positive and stable relationships; puberty; human reproduction; sexual relationships; consent; contraception; STIs and STDs; pregnancy; parenting and bringing up children; pornography; homophobia; abortion; bereavement and loss. 

Social Pressures covers topics including:  peer pressure; drugs; alcohol and tobacco use and misuse; personal and social consequences of misuse for themselves and others; addiction; ways of recognising and reducing risk, minimising harm and getting help in emergency and risky situations; benefits and risks of lifestyle choices; short and long-term consequences for health and mental and emotional wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.  

Healthy Lifestyles covers topics including:  healthy body image, emotional and mental health issues, emergency first aid, minimising risk to health (including road safety) and personal identity.   

Citizenship and Values considers how an individual fits in society on a local, national and international level. Topics covered include:  Democracy and Justice, Rights and Responsibilities (especially of children) and also British Values.   

Economic Wellbeing helps students to manage their future finances and careers effectively. Students are supported in making effective transitions to college and positive career choices. They are encouraged to be enterprising, to gain an understanding of the commercial environment and its contribution to national prosperity. All year groups have lessons in careers, economic awareness and enterprise.  

At key stage 3, students build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSHCE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media. 

At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSHCE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.

Top 5 Websites

For additional learning and resources in this subject, see these websites: 

1. https://www.cypsomersethealth.org/new_home
2. https://youngminds.org.uk/
3. https://swishservices.co.uk/young-people/
4. https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/schools
5. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/schools/