PSHE
Overview
PSHE education enables pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. At Holy Family, we encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. In so doing we help develop their sense of self-worth. We teach them how society is organised and governed. We ensure that they experience the process of democracy in school through the school council. We teach them about rights and responsibilities. They learn to appreciate what it means to be a positive member of a diverse multicultural society. They are encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices through our approach to diet, exercise, relationships and the environment.
The aims of personal, social and health education are to enable our pupils to:
- Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle;
- Be aware of safety issues;
- Understand what makes for good relationships with others;
- Have respect for others;
- Be independent and responsible members of the school community;
- Be positive and active members of a democratic society;
- Develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and make informed choices regarding
- Personal social and health issues;
- Develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community.
Delivery of PSHE
Some PSHE topics are taught across the curriculum. N.B. Citizenship is taught within Religious Education (RE). Sex and Relationship Education is taught under the guidelines of the 2 dioceses ( Salford (RC ) and Manchester (CE ). The subject is taught in Science and predominantly in Religious Studies.
At KS3 the programme is taught as discreet units - allowing the students to explore both church teachings and their own understanding and experience of relationships. In Science the mechanics of sexual Reproduction is taught to Year 7 students and revisited again in Years 8 and 9. Drug education is taught in a number of curricular areas: English, Science, Religious Education and PSHE drop down days. There is a good level of Curriculum time devoted to Core PE: KS3 - 2 hours per week, KS4 - 1.5 hours.
In addition there is a planned programme of PSHE activities delivered through stand-still lessons and drop down days.
A range of teaching and learning styles are used. We place an emphasis on active learning by including pupils in discussions, investigations and problem-solving activities. We encourage pupils to take part in a range of practical activities that promote active citizenship, e.g. charity fundraising, the planning of school special events such as an assembly, i.e. CAFOD assembly, or involvement in an activity to help other individuals or groups less fortunate than themselves, i.e. Shoe Box Appeal. We organise lessons in such a way that pupils are able to participate in discussion to resolve conflicts or set agreed classroom rules of behaviour. We offer pupils the opportunity to hear visiting speakers, such as road safety team and the police whom we invite into the school to talk about their role in creating a positive and supportive local community, and who contribute to the delivery of lessons. Some aspects are taught in the daily life of our school. One example would be the use of the ‘Achievement Points’ to reward and acknowledge good work, effort, behaviour and citizenship.
There is also considerable overlap with the following aspects of our work:
- Careers and the world of work;
- Spiritual and moral education;
- How to manage transition.
PSHE is delivered through activities and whole-school events, examples of which include:
- Student council
- The Challenge Scheme
- Events in and out of school, delivered by teachers and external providers, for example Skills
- Event, Enterprise activities, Careers Focused activities
- Participation in the Local Authority’s healthy schools scheme, (see below).
PSHE and the Healthy Schools Scheme
Our involvement in the LA’s Health Schools scheme ensures that pupils:
- Eat and drink healthily whenever possible, and acquire healthy eating habits;
- Learn about the importance of healthy eating for their own future health and
that of their families and dependents; - Develop the skills necessary to buy and prepare healthy meals and drinks;
- Develop their understanding of what healthy eating means;
- Develop their understanding of how their own bodies respond to food and physical exercise and how this affects fitness;
- Take responsibility for promoting actively the self-esteem of other members of the school community;
- Take responsibility for developing good relationships in the daily life of the school;
- Help to identify, develop and communicate a positive ethos and appropriate social values;
- Help to enhance the environment of the school;
Our involvement in the LA’s scheme also aims to:
- Develop and implement a coherent health education curriculum;
- Establish effective links with partner schools to ensure smooth transition, both socially and in relation to the development of the health education programme;
- Develop the school as a health promoting workplace with commitment to the
health and well- being of all staff; - Develop the complementary role of other school policies to the health education
curriculum; - Develop partnerships with appropriate outside agencies and individuals,
including the school health service, for advice and active support for health
education and health promotion in the school;
Well-being projects for staff, students and young people include:
- SLT, staff and children invited to attend specific well-being events;
- 'Come and Play Sports Activities' (CAPS);
- Spiritual Events - Open to all;
- Awards and rewards assemblies to recognise achievement;
- Spiritual Retreats organised for all year groups Year 10 and 11 being residential
- Induction days for staff, students and perspective parents;
- Prefect Training;
- Curriculum trips both during curricular time and also outside of the curriculum;
- Competitive sports activities in collaboration with other schools;
- Support and extra tuition for exam students;
- Learning to Learn theme days;
- Regular staff appraisal;
- Regular communication/support meetings with staff and students
- L.A. Annual Student Health Related Behaviour Survey
Assessment and Recording
Teachers assess pupils’ work by making informal judgements as they observe them during lessons and by encouraging the pupils to carry out self-evaluation of their work and by taking part in on-line surveys.
For further information see also RE & Science curriculum areas and ‘Careers’ under ‘Parents’ on the website.