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:

RSE Good Quality Standards	How they are met
Is an identifiable part of our PSHE education curriculum, which has planned, timetabled lessons across all the key stages.	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.
We have a lead teacher who oversees the curriculum and the learning programme. In addition, we have a core team of staff and expert visitors who are invited to enhance the learning journey.	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.
Works in partnership with the parents and carers, informing them about what their children will be learning and about how they can contribute at home.	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.
Delivers lessons where pupils feel safe and encourages participation by using a variety of teaching approaches with opportunities to develop critical thinking and relationship skills.	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.
Is based on reliable sources of information including about the law and legal rights, and distinguishes between fact and opinion.	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.
Promotes safe, equal, caring and enjoyable relationships and discusses real life issues appropriate to the age and stage of pupils, including friendships, families, consent, relationship abuse, sexual exploitation and safe relationships online.	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.
Gives a positive view of human sexuality, with honest and medically accurate information, so that pupils can learn about their bodies and sexual reproductive health in ways that are appropriate to their age and maturity.	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.
Gives pupils opportunities to reflect on values and influences (such as from peers, media, faith and culture) that may shape their attitudes to relationships and sex, and nurtures respect for different views.	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.
Includes learning about how to get help and treatment from sources such as the school nurse and other health and advice services, including reliable information online.	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.
Fosters gender equality and LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans) equality and challenges all forms of discrimination in RSE lessons and in every day school life.	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.
Meets the needs of all pupils with their diverse experiences- including those with special educational needs and disabilities.	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.
Seeks pupils’ views about RSE so that teaching can be made relevant to their real lives and assessed and adapted as their needs change.	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.

Year 7

Transition

Positive relationships

Online Safety

Disability

Racism

Bullying

LGBTQIA+ DISCRIMINATION

Puberty

Healthy Eating

Oral Hygiene

Smoking

Vaping

Alcohol

Drugs

Railway Safety

Fire safety

Water safety

Electrical Safety

Cyber crime

Terrorism

Year 8

Peer Pressure

Cyber bullying

Online safety

Sexting

Harmful viewing

Body Image

Self esteem

Emotional Health

Sleep

Commitment and relationships

Grief and loss

Alcohol

Drugs

Road safety

Finance

Summer Safety

Year 9

First aid

Immunisation

Cancer

Mental Health

Polycystic Ovaries

Endometriosis

Fertility and Menopause

Infection and protection (STI’s)

Pregnancy

Sexual Harassment

Stalking

Gangs

Deep Fakes

Year 10

Diversity

Prejudice and stereotypes

Extremism and terrorism

FGM

Child exploitation/ Grooming

Healthy relationships

Relationship abuse

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Consent

Dangers of Pornography

Contraception

Teenage Pregnancy

Breast Cancer

Testicular Cancer

Year 11

Personal Statements and CV’s

Interviews

Personal Finance

Tax

Consent

Sextortion

Grooming/ unhealthy relationships

Gambling

Drugs

County Lines

Knife Crime

Driving Awareness

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.