PSHCE
PSHCE has one dedicated timetabled lesson per week throughout Years 7 to 11. It is hoped to cover a wide range of topics, which will be of use and interest to pupils, in these lessons. The lessons will be delivered by a team of teachers who have specific training in, or a genuine interest for the subject. There is a flexible scheme of work, as the department realises the need to deal with certain issues, that may be of greater significance at a particular time, for example, dealing with the issues of Human Rights or Environmental Protection might be appropriate in the light of major breaking news at the time.
Across Years 7, 8 and 9 the course is divided into four broad strands: Understanding Yourself, Keeping Healthy, Developing Relationships and Citizenship. In Years 10 and 11 the strands are similar: Developing Self-awareness, Keeping Healthy and Relationships and Responsibilities.
Typically in Year 7 pupils would expect to cover many of the following topics: Time and Money Management, Settling into a new School, Rules and Regulations, Smoking, Drugs and Drug Taking, Growing and Changing, Eating and Exercise, Bullying, Beliefs, Customs and Festivals, Children’s Rights, Power of the Media, Right and Wrong, Being a Good Neighbour, Environmental Issues and others.
These topics will be covered across all five years by use of textbooks, videos, internet resources, role-play, visiting speakers and much discussion. The initial order in which theses topics are dealt with is decided by the pupils at the start of each term.
In Year 8 topics include: Self Esteem, Gambling, Leisure Time, Personal Safety, Drinking and Alcohol, Contraception and Safer Sex, Drugs and Drug Taking, Divided Families, Older People, Other Cultures, The Police, Being an EU Citizen, Power of Advertising et al.
In Year 9 Decision Making, Coping with Loss, Money Matters, Adolescence, STI’s and AIDS, Eating Disorders, Drugs and Drug Taking, Being Assertive, Racism and Prejudice, mental Illness, Discrimination, Crime and Punishment, Being a Citizen of the World, Political Parties, Power of the Press, Pressure Groups and Campaigning are the main areas covered.
In Year 11 pupils will follow a course in independent study for the Autumn and Spring Terms, based on a newly introduced three-part course ‘Sexual Health for Life’ and the Consortium Group Publishers’ PSHE Revision Guide. The ‘Sexual Health for Life’ books cover (1) STIs (2) Drug and Alcohol Awareness (3) Contraception. Pupils will work with each of the four books for half a term.The Sixth Form has a separate programme, which covers a number of the above topics at the 16+ level. The programme is designed by the Head of Sixth, in consultation with the Head of PSHCE.All elements of the course are accessible to all pupils regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
All elements of the course are accessible to all pupils regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.