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