HUMANITIES - PSHE Education
Welcome to our PSHE Department webpage!
Personal, Social, Health & Economic education (PSHE) is a vital subject that is taught to all students in Key Stages 3 and 4 at The Lakes School. We consider it to be of the upmost value to our young people, helping them foster healthy and lifelong aspirations, goals and values. Our PSHE lessons help them to deal with the critical issues they face every day in their young lives such as friendships, emotional wellbeing and change as well as giving them the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and awareness they need to thrive as fully engaged and productive citizens in the future.
From making informed decisions about drugs and alcohol to succeeding in their first job, our PSHE curriculum is uniquely placed to prepare our young prepare for all the opportunities, challenges, decisions and responsibilities they’ll face and to shape them into socially, politically and culturally aware young adults keen to contribute actively and effectively to the society in which they live.
The PSHE Department, The Lakes School June 2023
OUR CURRICULUM: INTENT
Ofsted EIF: “leaders … construct a curriculum that is ambitious and designed to give all learners … the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life … (It) is coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively sufficient knowledge and skills for future learning and employment.”
The Lakes School PSHE Curriculum (Years 7-11) meets these criteria in a number of ways. It sets out to provide our young people with a well-constructed curriculum that is engagingly presented and which will therefore prepare them effectively for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. The teaching of PSHE also enables schools to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of learners both at school and in society.
The intent of our PSHE curriculum here at The Lakes School is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and awareness that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships well into their adult lives and to build the self-reliance and resilience that will see them flourish as well-rounded citizens.
OUR CURRICULUM: IMPLEMENTATION
Ofsted EIF: “teachers present subject matter clearly, promoting appropriate discussion … (Over) the course of study, teaching is designed to help learners to remember in the long term the content they have been taught … (Teachers) use assessment well, for example to help learners embed and use knowledge fluently … The resources and materials … reflect the provider’s ambitious intentions for the course of study”
The Lakes School PSHE Curriculum (Years 7-11) meets these criteria in a number of ways. It sets out to explore, within the context of a safe learning environment, a range of key areas.
Health & Wellbeing
Across the five years and both Key Stages, pupils will explore and discuss such topics as physical, mental and emotional health and well-being (including sexual health), the management of risk, the consequences of drug, alcohol and tobacco use, the importance of exercise and diet, the maintenance of a healthy work-life balance, the impact stress can have and much, much more.
Relationships
Across the five years and both Key Stages, pupils will explore and discuss such topics as how to develop and maintain a variety of healthy relationships, parenting skills, how to deal with risky or negative relationships, the impact bullying and abuse (including online) can have, the importance of consent, contraception and much, much more.
Living in the Wider World
Across the five years and both Key Stages, pupils will explore and discuss such topics as their rights and responsibilities as members of an increasingly diverse Britain, how to enhance their employability, the complexity of finance (eg mortgages, credit, pensions), responsible consumerism, the importance of fundamental British values such as free speech, democracy, tolerance and much, much more.
IMPORTANT: The Lakes School’s PSHE curriculum has also been designed to address all of the key areas in the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study for PSHE Education (2020). Exactly how it does this can be seen below.
The Statutory Guidance for PSHE Education (2019)
The PSHE Association’s Programme of Study for PSHE Education (2020)
Our PSHE Curriculum (2023) and how it covers the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study (2020)
OUR CURRICULUM: IMPACT
Ofsted EIF: “learners develop detailed knowledge and skills … and, as a result, achieve well. Where relevant, this is reflected in results … that meet government expectations … (Learners) are ready for the next stage of education, employment or training. Where relevant, they gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests, aspirations and the intention of their course of study.”
The Lakes School PSHE Curriculum (Years 7-11) meets these criteria in a number of ways. It ensures all learners will develop the necessary skills and confidence to grow as well-rounded individuals as well as having a better understanding of the wider world and what is expected of them as British citizens. They will also grow to become capable of discussing sensitive topics relating to health and well-being and relationships in a mature manner, forming their own beliefs and values as well as being confident to challenge prejudice and discrimination. The curriculum also enhances their communication skills and broadens their thinking, acquiring knowledge to support them in making informed decisions. The curriculum also points our young people on repeated appropriate occasions to key adults and organisations they can turn to for further advice or help outside of school.
It is hoped by all members of staff in the PSHE Department that the high expectations and quality of support across both Key Stages will result in the young people at The Lakes School being challenged to take greater responsibility for their life choices and feeling empowered to progress onto the next stage in their learning or working lives with confidence.
RELATIONSHIPS & SEX EDUCATION (RSE) POLICY 2023
A new RSE Policy for 2023 has been drafted and is currently undergoing consultation with governors and parents. As soon as this process has been completed, the policy will be made publicly available here.
The current policy can be found here.