Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship, Careers,  and Financial and Economic Education (PSHE+) at Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary

 

At Sacred Heart Catholic Secondary we recognise that our students are growing up in a rapidly changing society and period of time. This can present our young people with a range of complex challenges and new opportunities. We want our students to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills to manage their lives, both now and in the future. To help students develop the qualities and attributes required for them to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society, we ensure each student has access to Personal, Social, Health, Careers, Citizenship and Economic Education (PSHE+) as part of the taught curriculum.

PSHE+ Education helps all young people, from the highest achievers to those who may be vulnerable or feel excluded, to achieve their full potential.

Why is PSHE+ so important?

Because it:

  • promotes  independence and responsibility, preparing young people for future roles as parents, employees and leaders
  • helps to improve employability skills by developing the personal and social skills demanded by commerce and industry.
  • contributes to the health and wellbeing of individuals by encouraging individual responsibility for health and potentially reducing the cost to the National Health Service.
  • contributes to keeping our young people safety and well protected.
  • promotes opportunities for our young people to play a full and active part in society.

What does PSHE+ education provide for our young people?

Provision of opportunities to learn about:

  • Fundamental British Values
  • Relationship and Sex
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Careers
  • Economic and Financial wellbeing
  • Citizenship
  • Drugs

How does PSHE+ help to raise academic achievement?

It helps to address barriers that can prevent young people from learning.

Research shows that students are more likely to do well in their GCSEs if they:

  • believe in their own ability.
  • believe that events result primarily from their own behaviour and actions.
  • recognise that school is worthwhile. (Students might not always have a positive experience but can still understand that education is a very valuable experience.)
  • aspire to go into further/higher education or training.
  • avoid risky behaviour e.g. smoking, substance and drug abuse, anti-social behaviour, truancy and behaviour which may result in exclusion from school.
  • do not experience bullying.

What is actually taught during PSHE+ Education?

Like other subjects, PSHE+ education gradually builds key concepts and skills through topics that are relevant to a young person’s age and stage of development.

Our PSHE+ curriculum follows the National Curriculum Programme of Study for Citizenship and the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is based on three core themes:

  1. Health and Wellbeing (Relationships and Sex, Drugs and Health Education)
  2. Relationships (Relationships and Sex, Drugs and Health Education)
  3. Living in the Wider World (Citizenship, Careers and Economic and Financial Wellbeing Education)

The Relationships and Sex Education strand incorporates the three main elements of RSE-

  • attitudes and values
  • personal and social skills
  • knowledge and understanding,  all within the teachings of the Catholic Church.

How is PSHE+ delivered?

  • At Sacred Heart Secondary PSHE+ is delivered across the curriculum in a timetabled lesson, once per fortnight and 2 dedicated tutor sessions a week.
  • All students are taught in their form year group classes and the content is differentiated according to their individual needs.
  • Where possible PSHE+ is delivered by a pupils form tutor

Core Knowledge Overviews: