PSHE
PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)
Life skills at Arthur Mellows Village College encompasses the guidance issued by the PSHE Association which also covers Statutory Guidance from the Department for Education of what must be covered in schools and meets the good quality standards set out:
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RSE Good Quality Standards |
How they are met |
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Students have one 50 minute lesson per timetable cycle (fortnightly). Lessons are mapped against the PSHE Association framework. Key Stage 5 is overseen by the Sixth Form Team, but ensuring links with the PSHE Co-ordinator, particularly with transitioning Year 11’s. |
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There is one core teacher whose teaching role is predominantly PSHE. The PSHE co-ordinator oversees and plans the lessons to ensure quality and consistency. Visitors from iCASH, Road safety, Aspire, Water safety come in to lessons to deliver and enhance the programme. iCASH also run the HYPA clinic on a Wednesday lunchtime for students to drop in and see specialists with sexual health, drugs and the school nurse is also available during this time. |
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The PSHE co-ordinator communicates with parents to inform them of key lessons such as puberty and RSE lessons. At key points information and guidance is sent home to parents such as internet safety, choices with further education, support with options. Information evening to parents is provisionally planned going forwards from September to give parents information and confidence to support their child. PSHE curriculum is on the College Website. Parent feedback is encouraged to ensure the curriculum is working in the best interests of their child. |
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PSHE teachers have consistent ground rules for each lesson. These are embedded at the start of the year and reminded of during lessons, particularly when focussing on sensitive issues. Students are encouraged to think and form their own opinions. Students reflect at the end of the lesson in line with the school’s purple pen policy to show progress. Students are assessed termly on not only their knowledge and understanding, but also their skills, attributes and attitudes. School SALAD days also help to further enhance student participation and develop critical thinking. |
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Legitimate websites and ones supported by the PSHE association are used along with government websites. Facts are given such as legal age, law on consent, law on inappropriate photographs of minors, abuse, FGM, drugs, alcohol. Students are given links to organisations who can support. |
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The PSHE curriculum is based on the 3 core strands of the PSHE Association programme of study to ensure all areas are addressed in all Key Stages. The PSHE association framework is divided into content for KS3 and KS4. The curriculum has a proactive approach to prevent issues from occurring due to being well educated and informed to make healthy safe decisions. Appropriate guidance is sought through appropriate channels including NHS England and iCASH. |
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Key teachers have received RSE training and disseminate information across the PSHE team of teachers. Resources are used from reputable sources PSHE Association and NHS England. |
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Students are encouraged in lessons to form their own opinions, question others’ opinions in a constructive respectful manner and to listen to all viewpoints. They are taught early on in Key Stage 3 about media influence, peer pressure and society. Students are taught about protected characteristics and how they link with the 2010 Equality Act. |
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Students reflect at the end of each lesson where they can get support for topics covered. Signposting takes place in all lessons and is embedded within the curriculum. Students are informed about the HYPA clinic on a Wednesday lunchtime where iCASH nurses are available. |
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All students are regularly taught about respect and understanding discrimination and protected characteristics. SIMs has been updated to include HBT bullying. Students are educated in Key Stages 3 and 4 on diversity and tolerance. |
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Teachers are aware of students with SEN, pupil premium, looked after children, and those who may struggle with certain content due to their life experiences. Students are clear on their rights in the classroom if they find a topic challenging. Pastoral teams will be informed in advance of sensitive topics in order to support our students. |
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Students have an assessment every term where they can feedback their views and to ask any unanswered questions. Surveys are also sent out to seek students’ views in the form of student council and tutor time. In addition to the above, reflective learning is strongly encouraged and student understanding is regularly tracked. |
PSHE is delivered by a dedicated team who understand the importance of the subject matter. Lessons are adapted to ensure they are age appropriate for the content.
Life skills deals with real life situations which affect our children, families and communities. We are passionate about equipping our students to be responsible, well informed, resilient and compassionate individuals who personally develop through the Lifeskills programme.
Lifeskills is a major contribution towards:
- Safeguarding education for children
- Promoting health and wellbeing
- Promoting personal and social skills leading towards employability
- Increasing independence and responsibility for themselves
- Tolerance and resilience for themselves and others
PSHE is also about forming positive collaborative relationships with parents and carers to enable them to feel confident addressing a wide range of sensitive issues with their own child. We feel it is important to engage with parents so they feel comfortable to seek advice and support where necessary, free from judgement.
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Year 7
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Transition and emotional Health Positive Relationships Online Safety Disabilities Racism and hate Crime LGBTQIA+ Bullying Puberty Keeping Healthy Alcohol Tobacco and Nicotine Dental Health Drugs Railway safety Fire safety Water Safety |
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Year 8
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Peer Pressure Cyberbullying Online Safety Sexting Harmful Viewing Body image Self esteem Emotional Health Sleep Relationships and commitment Relationships endings and grief Alcohol Drugs Finance Careers Summer Safety- Water Summer safety -First aid |
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Year 9
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First aid Immunisation and vaccination Cancer Awareness Mental Health/ Loneliness/ Suicide Prevention Mental Health Strategies Menstrual and reproductive Health Reproductive Health/Fertility/ menopause RSE Consent and risks Relationships and sexuality RSE Infection and Protection RSE Pregnancy and Parenthood/ options (Abortion/ Adoption) Sexting/ Sexual Harassment. Personal Safety Railway safety Water safety/ Coastguard Sun safety/ Skin Care Uni Frog/ Careers |
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Year 10
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Work Experience Launch Preparing for work experience Diversity Stereotypes and Prejudice Extremism and Radicalisation FGM Child sexual exploitation Relationships and Marriage Relationship abuse Consent Pornography and addiction Contraception and STI’S Fertility/Pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy Foetal Alcohol Syndrome/ Miscarriage/Reproductive Health 2 lessons Cost of a child/ Good parenting 2 lessons Breast and testicular cancer 2 lessons Summer Safety Skin Cancer. |
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Year 11
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Work experience reflection Personal Statement and CV Interview Prep/ Mock Interviews Mock Interviews Post 16 Options Human rights and international Law The legal system in the UK and different sources of law and how it deals with complex problems Personal finance Tax and national insurance Consent Sextortion Gambling Substance use and personal safety/ County lines 3 lessons Knife Crime/ Joint enterprise Blood donation Organ and stem cell donation 2 lessons Well being/ Motivation |
Assessment
Students are regularly assessed in Lifeskills. This is done through end of topic reviews, literacy checks and also book reviews. We also strongly encourage verbal feedback and discussion to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of topics. Students are regularly reminded of key vocabulary and sign posted to key places of support.
Themed collapsed days run by external professionals:
Year 7 - Health Day
Year 8 - Keep Me Safe
Year 9 - Prison Me No Way
Year 10 - Preparation for work and Post 16
Year 11 - Crime and Law.
