PSHE
Curriculum Aim
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) is a planned, developmental programme of learning designed to help children and young people (CYP) develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. It deals with real life issues which affect CYP, their families and their communities, and engages with the social and economic realities of their lives, experiences and attitudes.
PSHE encourages CYP to be enterprising and supports them in making effective transitions, positive learning and career choices and in managing their finances effectively. It also enables CYP to reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes, and explore the complex and sometimes conflicting range of values and attitudes they encounter now and in the future.
Context
A CYP’s level of knowledge and understanding will be assessed in an informal way, to allow their starting point to be built upon. As CYP join our setting throughout the academic year, our spiral curriculum allows for concepts such as healthy relationships, staying safe online and personal safety to be revisited in different contexts.
Staff use ‘distancing techniques’ such as creating a class agreement and discussing scenarios, to make PSHE lessons comfortable and accessible for all CYP.
Key concepts, skills and knowledge
PSHE education addresses both CYP’s current experiences and preparation for their future. Three core themes run throughout our spiral curriculum; Health & wellbeing, Living in the wider world and Relationships. Parents and carers often reflect that PSHE covers ‘all the things we wish we were taught at school’.
Health and Wellbeing
This theme includes progressive understanding of how to keep yourself and others safe in different contexts, an understanding of substance misuse and addictions, wellbeing strategies and an understanding of mental health. We also ensure CYP have a solid understanding of puberty and the changing adolescent body, menstruation and pregnancy. The importance of hygiene routines, vaccinations and staying healthy, including cancer awareness.
Relationships
This theme explores connections in wider society; community diversity, discrimination, and extremism. We also learn about interpersonal relationships, including respectful friendships, romantic relationships and how to spot the signs of abuse. CYP reflect on the impact that the media has on expectations in relationships and managing these in reality.
Living in the Wider World
Here we explore life in modern Britain, the law and how these are made, and how CYP can make a difference to society now and in the future. We consider financial decision-making and budgeting. Our careers lessons also fall into this theme, where a progressive program supports our CYP to make informed decisions about their future education and career options.
Whilst they are specifically addressed where appropriate, assessing and managing life online are integrated throughout all three core themes.
Across Kingfisher Academy, PSHE is the curriculum subject where statutory Relationships, Sex and Health education is taught. For more information, please view our RSE policy.
Curriculum Overview
Although our curriculum is listed below in levels, due to the nature of our CYP, the modules may not be taught in the order detailed.
Health & Wellbeing
Level 1 Modules
Transition and Safety
- Transition to secondary school
- Friendships
- Cyberbullying
- Online safety
- Personal safety in and outside school
- Transport safety
- The emergency services
- Basic first aid
Health and Puberty
- Healthy routines (including dental hygiene)
- Physical and emotional changes in puberty
- Menstruation
- Unwanted contact
- FGM
Level 2 Modules
Substance Misuse: Drugs and Alcohol
- Smoking
- Vaping
- Alcohol awareness
- Cannabis
Knowledge will be applied to scenarios involving peer pressure and criminal exploitation.
Emotional Wellbeing
- Self-esteem
- Body image
- Impact of the media and diet on wellbeing
- Strategies for managing feelings and improving wellbeing
Level 3 Modules
Healthy Lifestyle
- Lifestyle balance and healthy choices
- Sleep hygiene
- Personal hygiene routines
- Reproductive health
- First Aid
- Vaccinations
- When and how to visit a doctor
Peer Influences
- Substance misuse
- Personal safety and risk-taking behaviour
- Child sexual exploitation
- Child criminal exploitation
Level 4 Modules
Mental Health
- Mental health and mental wellbeing
- Stigma
- Managing stress
- Supporting others
Exploring Influence
The influence and impact of:
- Drugs
- Gangs
- Role models
- The media
Level 5 Modules
Building for the Future
- Self-efficacy
- Stress management
- Future Opportunities
Independence
- Responsible health choices
- Safety in independent contexts
Relationships
Level 1 Modules
Community Diversity
- Understanding our community
- British values
- Stereotyping
- Extremism
Building Relationships
- Self-worth
- Building friendships
- Personal boundaries
- Safe relationships
- Sexting and the law
Level 2 Modules
Discrimination
Exploring The Equality Act 2010 and discrimination in all its forms, including:
- Racism
- Religious discrimination
- Disability
- Discrimination
- Sexism
- Homophobia
- Biphobia
- Transphobia
Identity and Relationships
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Consent
- ‘Sexting’
- Exploitation
- An introduction to contraception
Level 3 Modules
Respectful Relationships
- Families and parenting
- Healthy relationships
- Conflict resolution
- Relationship changes
- Stalking and sexual harassment
Intimate Relationships
- Consent
- Contraception, LARC/barriers
- STIs
- HIV
- Choices in unintended pregnancy, including abortion
Level 4 Modules
Healthy Relationships
- Expectations of sex and relationships
- Impact of the media and pornography
- Misogyny and toxic masculinity
Addressing Extremism and Radicalisation
- Protected characteristics and reporting discrimination
- Values and managing disagreement constructively
- Contributing to community
Level 5 Modules
Communication in Relationships
- Personal values
- Assertive communication, including in relation to:
- Contraception
- Sexual health
- Relationship challenges
- Abuse
Families
- Different families and parental responsibilities
- Pregnancy
- Marriage and forced marriage
- Changing relationships
Living in the Wider World
Level 1 Modules
Developing Skills and Aspirations
- Careers market
- Teamwork and enterprise skills
- Raising aspirations
Financial Decision Making
- Saving
- Borrowing
- Budgeting
- Making financial choices
Level 2 Modules
Community and Careers
- Equality of opportunity in careers and life choices
- Different types and patterns of work
- Includes considering the needs of our local community
Digital Literacy
- Online safety
- Online exploitation and grooming
- Media reliability
- Gambling hooks
Level 3 Modules
Setting Goals
- Learning strengths
- Considering career goals
- Considering career pathways
- Employability and online presence
Citizenship
- Democracy in the UK
- Voting
- Campaigning
- The legal system
- Role of the police and courts
Level 4 Modules
Financial Decision Making
- The impact of financial decisions
- Current financial landscape
- Debt
- Gambling
- Impact of advertising on choices
Citizenship
- How to be an active citizen
- The alternative to democracy
- Role of a free press
- Human Rights
Level 5 Modules
Next steps
- Application processes
- Skills for:
- Further education
- Employment
- Career progression