PSHCE

The Personal, Social, Health and Economic education and Citizenship (PSHEC) has been mapped out and designed to empower all pupils at all times to thrive through our distinct Christian vision. We achieve this through a variety of ways, with just a few of many examples below:

Our community fosters dignity by valuing every individual and their God-given uniqueness. The curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of relevant issues to help pupils make informed choices about their lives and perhaps more importantly, to allow them to consider the thoughts and choices of others through  their perspectives that may differ from our own.

We endeavour to act justly, showing love and respect. The modules and lessons in PSHEC all focus on the joy of working collaboratively and  showing empathy for others. We use oracy as a vehicle for respectful and considerate debate and exploration of ideas and views.

We thrive through growing resilience and living together gratefully with joy. We have designed a curriculum that helps us to appreciate and value difference and that through working together, solutions and strategies can be found that empower us all. We deliberately select age appropriate concepts and issues and help pupils to share their ideas to help build both confidence and resilience in all pupils.

PSHEC is delivered at St Egwin’s as a planned programme of high-quality lessons delivered in regularly timetabled lessons and reinforced throughout the whole curriculum. It is fully inclusive, developed and tailored to be age and stage of development appropriate (especially when considering the needs of children with SEND and other vulnerabilities).

Teaching at St Egwin’s reflects the law (including the Equality Act 2010) as it applies to relationships, so that young people clearly understand what the law allows and does not allow, and the wider legal implications of decisions they may make. Pupils are taught that the Equality Act states people must not unlawfully discriminate against others because of their age, sex, race, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership, or sexual orientation (collectively known as the protected characteristics).

PSHCE education follows the framework that has been subdivided into themes using resources from a selection of sources which have all been mapped to the PSHE Association and statutory DfE requirements. These form part of a spiral curriculum, delivering content appropriate to each year group. The programme of study identifies the key concepts and skills that underpin PSHE education and to fulfil the statutory responsibility to support pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

This programme will tackle, at an age-appropriate stage, issues such as:

• healthy and respectful relationships
• boundaries and consent
• stereotyping, prejudice and equality
• body confidence and self-esteem
• how to recognise an abusive relationship, including coercive and controlling behaviour
• the concepts of, and laws relating to – sexual consent, sexual exploitation, abuse, grooming, coercion, harassment, rape, domestic abuse, so-called ‘honour’-based violence such as forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and how to access support, and
• what constitutes sexual harassment and sexual violence and why these are always unacceptable.

Communication is welcomed between school, pupils, and parents to reinforce the importance of children exploring their opinions and developing their skills for the future with the support of both school and family understanding the role, curriculum, systems, and activities of the school.  

Citizenship learning during key stage 2 pupils learn about knowing and respecting themselves as growing and changing individuals with their own experiences and ideas, and as members of their communities. They become more mature, independent, and self-confident. They learn about the wider world and the interdependence of communities within it. They develop their sense of social justice and moral responsibility and begin to understand that their own choices and behaviour can affect local, national, or global issues and political and social institutions. They learn how to take part more fully in school and community activities. This helps pupils to develop love and respect which are integral in our school values.

Citizenship education for key stage 3 pupils helps to provide them with knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society. In particular, citizenship education should foster pupils’ keen awareness and understanding of democracy, government and how laws are made and upheld. Teaching equips pupils with the skills and knowledge to explore political and social issues critically, to weigh evidence, debate and make reasoned arguments. It also prepares pupils to take their place in society as responsible citizens, manage their money well and make sound financial decisions.