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 |
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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 are 2 core teachers 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. |
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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. |
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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 such as Big Talk Education, PIXL and other reputable organisations. |
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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. |
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Students are informed about the HYPA clinic on a Wednesday lunchtime where iCASH nurses and the school nurse are available. Reputable websites are signposted to students in the appropriate lessons. |
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AMVC has received the Rainbow Flag Award from the Kite Trust. Students have received HBT bullying assemblies, 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. |
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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. |
PSHE is a dedicated lesson once a fortnight delivered by qualified trained PSHE staff to deal sensitively with a wide range of topics. 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
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Emotional health, Positive relationships, bullying and intolerance, equality and disabilities, racism, LGBTQ diversity, online safety, finance and budgeting, road safety, puberty, healthy living, smoking and vaping, alcohol 1, drugs 1
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Year 8
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Peer pressure, cyber bullying, sexting, online safety, body image and the media, self-esteem, harmful viewing, sleep, emotional health, guess the professional, alcohol 2, drugs 2, relationships and relationship loss, finance and budgeting,
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Year 9
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First aid, Immunisation, vaccination and antibiotics, emotional health problems, emotional health strategies, addiction, cancer awareness, Year 9 options and choices, Relationships and Sexual Education scheme of work (consent, risks, relationships, sexuality, infection and protection, pregnancy and parenthood) sexting, finance and budgeting in the real world.
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Year 10
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diversity, stereotypes and prejudice, FGM, child sexual exploitation, relationships and marriage, relationship abuse, consent, pornography and addiction, contraception and sti’s, Pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy, foetal alcohol syndrome, cost of a child, good parenting, breast and testicular cancer
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Year 11
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Personal statement and CV, interview preparation, mock interviews, post 16 options, achievement file, consent, sextortion, gambling, substance use and personal safety, blood, organ stem cell donation, personal finance, tax and national insurance, preparing for change |
Assessment
Students are assessed twice throughout the academic year to ensure lesson content has been understood, embedded and to track progress. Students evaluate and reflect on what they have learnt each lesson so we can monitor the effectiveness and the impact of each lesson. Student Voice is used to give students the opportunity to have their concerns and opinions raised for ongoing lesson development. Baseline assessments are used to gauge skills, knowledge, attitudes and attributes. Additional input into the PSHE curriculum is through assemblies, tutor time, guest speakers, collapsed days, visits and trips.
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