PSHE - Personal, Social, Health and Education
Intent
In Personal Growth and Religious Studies, Students learn to respect and value others and themselves so that they may achieve their potential and lift up others as part of their personal journey. Students achieve this by; engaging with world and religious view; understand the differences between us and value the commonalities they share; gain a confidence in themselves to make well informed decisions that ensure a full and loving life.
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), which is a statutory requirement, is also taught through PSHE. Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education delivered as part of statutory RSE; students cannot be withdrawn from other aspects RSE or PSHE. Before granting any such request, the head teacher will discuss the request with parents and, as appropriate, with the child to ensure that their wishes are understood and to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum. Should you wish to discuss withdrawing your child from some or all of sex education, please contact the headteacher directly via email: head@sta-worthing.com
Key Stage 3
In PSHE/RSE students gain an understanding of their community and their place within it, including British Values. Students are taught how to be safe (on and offline) in terms of relationships, friendships, personal travel and independence. They are taught about health and wellbeing through understanding puberty, hygiene, exercise, nutrition, identity and how these link to positive mental health. Year 7 students will have a firm understanding of how peer pressure, social media and differing views affect them. They are taught about equality and the law with regard to how they interact with peers.
In PSHE/RSE, students will explore in greater depth their rights and responsibilities as citizens including British Values. They will revisit health and wellbeing with more emphasis on mental health and how to stay well and how to access help when required. Year 8 students will develop their knowledge of different influences in society including gang culture including following the topics of coercion, grooming, radicalisation and extremism. They will gain a deeper understanding of different types of relationships and will be taught about FGM.
In PSHE/RSE, students in Year 9 will explore diverse, multi-cultural societies and how these contribute to rich and valuable communities. In health and wellbeing, students will look at how to manage risk related to online and offline including drug and alcohol use. Naturally, Year 9 will be taught about opportunities for their career and option pathways, which will allow them to make wise choices for a positive future. Students look at finance and budgeting and comparing their options with those of children in other countries. Year 9 students will understand how differing pressures may affect their personal relationship choices and will gain a clear understanding of consent and the law. Particular peer pressures will be examined, specifically relating to gang culture, substance misuse, sexting, grooming and pressure to engage in risky behaviour along with how to say no.
Key stage 4
In Year 10, students begin by exploring components of healthy relationships with a focus on sexual/asexual relationships, including substantial work on consent. Students are explicitly taught about different forms and methods of contraception. They also experience a visit from Acorn pregnancy counselling service to begin to understand the impact an unplanned pregnancy in their life may affect them.
They move on to developing a deep understanding of how to keep themselves safe online (including avoiding prosecution), exploring the impact of pornography. Substance mis-use, violence, knife crime and the impact of gang cultures are taught with close reference to locality issues. They end the year with a deeper understanding of mental health and where to access support, personal hygiene and self-examination.
Year 11 start with the Post-16 application process and are supported to plan and prepare for interviews. They move on to relationships including sexual consent, STI's and contraception and pregnancy. To end the spring term, students are guided through how to manage their study time for examinations and take another look at different study skills to support revision.
