THE CORE : Personal , Social and Health Education
PSHE in the Middle School builds on the foundations laid in the Lower School .
The aims of the programme are to develop students ’ self-awareness , confidence and resilience , allowing them to make informed decisions and take responsibility for their actions . It is also interested in the development of notions of respect , empathy and independence , and to make students more aware of the diversity of life in the wider world .
PSHE works with Core Critical Thinking to promote the spiritual , moral , social and cultural awareness of the students . This is achieved through shared topics with academic subjects – for example , joint Drama , PSHE play performances and RSE covered in both Biology and PSHE .
Years 9 , 10 and 11 PSHE lessons are delivered by a team of experienced staff in classes once a fortnight . The scheme of work follows the model of provision recommended by the PSHE Association , a spiral structure that revisits the following three areas , in increasing complexity , over the three years :
Lessons are supplemented by termly Whole School Awareness Weeks throughout the year , regular assemblies and visiting speakers talking on a variety of topical subjects .
There are strong connections between the PSHE programme and the school Health Centre , and the school counsellors provide a vital resource for individual students in need as well as leading group workshops on topics such as Wellbeing .
Students are regularly consulted through anonymous questionnaires on lifestyle choices and this allows us to monitor behaviour and address current issues . Parents are kept informed about topics through the termly PSHE newsletter which is posted on the parent pages of the school website .
Regular parent seminars with visiting speakers are hosted throughout the academic year . l Health and Wellbeing ( Keeping healthy , healthy lifestyle ) l Living in the Wider World ( Community ) l Relationships ( Friendship , empathy )
18 THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS