PSHE & RSHE
Rationale
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (P.S.H.E) & Relationship, Sex & Health Education (R.S.H.E)
At Underwood West Academy, we teach PSHE and RSHE as subjects through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives and thrive, both now and in the future. Our pupils are growing up in a complex and ever-changing world and are exposed to an increasing range of influences.
As a school, we aim to build on and complement the learning that takes place in the Early Years curriculum, to provide vital knowledge, understanding and skills that are needed to lead a healthy, fulfilling and meaningful life. It is an integral part of our school ethos and is woven in to all that we do in order to prepare our pupils for the future, underpinning all aspects of our curriculum. These skills and attributes will help our pupils to stay healthy, safe and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.
The values and skills taught, both through daily classroom discussions, as well as the dedicated regular PSHE lessons, aim to help our pupils to achieve their academic potential and encourage them to develop responsibility in their home life, as members of the community and also of the wider world, and leave our school equipped with skills that will guide them and help them to flourish in later life.
Every pupil in our school takes part in regular PSHE lessons. This is taught using a whole school scheme of learning accredited by the PSHE Association, where pupils engage in active and participatory activities, concentrating on 8 key strands:
Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
Keeping Safe and Managing Risks
E-Safety
Identity, Society and Equality
Physical Health and Well-being
Careers, Financial Capability and Economic Well-being
Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education
Relationship, Sex & Health Education (parents/carers can opt out their child from the sex education element)
Since September 2020, Relationship & Health Education (RHE) has become compulsory in Primary schools and Relationship, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) compulsory in Secondary schools. The DfE have committed to retain parents’ rights to withdraw their child from Sex Education within RSHE (other than Sex Education in the National Curriculum as part of science), but not from Relationships Education at Primary. The Relationship Core theme also crosses over into PSHE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education) through the areas of Health & Wellbeing (including Mental Health) and Living in the Wider World (including Diversity, Stereotyping, Discrimination).
In PSHE, our pupils are assessed through their knowledge and understanding and also by how they use that knowledge in developing skills and attitudes. This is shown through their participation in class discussions, group tasks and activities and through their management of any conflicts. Pupils learn how to become valued citizens with a broad understanding of the world around them and leave Underwood West Academy ready to embrace the secondary PSHE and RSHE curriculum.
Working alongside our PSHE curriculum, we proudly promote the 'No Outsiders' ethos within our school - 'All different, all welcome'. We want our pupils to see that 'difference is a positive, not a negative' As they move through school, we want pupils to explore their differences so that they feel comfortable in their own skin. Pupils should know who they are and feel proud to to be who they are, and also know that they are accepted without judgement. Weekly assemblies along with classroom based lessons celebrate our differences, prepare our pupils for life as a global citizen and promote cohesion within our community.
