Intent

At Penwortham Priory Academy the PSHE curriculum is designed to fit into five PSHE days where pupils engage in the curriculum suggested by the PSHE Association. This curriculum helps pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage life’s challenges and make the most of life’s opportunities.

Through PSHE lessons, pupils will transition from KS2 to KS3 smoothly, building on prior, knowledge and skills at Key Stage 2.

Pupils are provided with challenging topics and meaningful learning experiences which can be applied to their own lives in a timely way. Challenging and thought-provoking learning experiences help pupils think hard to gain a better understanding of different aspects of life in order to address teenage pregnancy, substance misuse, unhealthy eating, lack of physical activity, emotional health and other key issues. Priory’s PSHE programme tackles barriers to learning, raises aspirations, and improves the life chances of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils.

To be successful independent learners, pupils are given regular opportunities to reflect on and identify what they have learned, what needs to be learned next and what they need to do to continue their learning. The personal nature of PSHE education means that progress cannot be assessed in the same way as most other subjects and it would be inappropriate for assessment in PSHE education to imply passing or failing ‘as a person’. It is however possible to recognise and evidence progress and attainment in the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes PSHE strives to develop. This is monitored through white board activities, mind mapping and during 2019-20 through PLCs.

Pupils are continually required to think hard in lessons using ‘higher order’ skills such as analysis and evaluation. This element of their learning is addressed through the continual analysis and evaluation of their own lives and that of others, planning and implementing new strategies, creating a new way of conducting themselves.

The PSHE curriculum encourages pupils to develop skills for life which they can employ now or in the future. Pupils gain knowledge regarding a number of different life aspects, they discuss their current experience of each where appropriate, they develop an understanding of how to move forward in the future in a beneficial way to themselves and others and are assisted in identifying opportunities that are easy to engage with now.

High quality guidance in the ‘Life beyond Priory’ unit provides impartial guidance regarding educational pathways and methods for successfully achieving future course and career goals. This supplements learning in Character and Culture and other Gatsby experiences the school provides.

Throughout their time in PSHE pupils are encouraged to evolve their character and improve the culture of our school. They are encouraged to adopt positive behaviours and attitudes in class which benefit them personally and the rest of the school community. They are encouraged to be positive, committed, respectful, kind, courteous, well mannered, safe, calm, orderly, and take pride in themselves, their work and our school. Pupils albeit well integrated in terms of personal characteristics, still have sessions to appreciate aspects of gender, beliefs and disability.

The resources created by staff or sourced from reputable organisations are designed to provide high quality personal development education which should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need now and in the future. As pupils progress, they should be able to apply the knowledge gained to a greater extent to their own lives and see a greater impact.

Knowledge underpins the PSHE curriculum, therefore whilst we teach different aspects of the curriculum, we apply what we have learnt in very varied, personal, current and new situations. Pupils are to be given an overview of their learning journey at the start of their unit of work so that they know what they’ll be learning, the skills they’ll develop, why they need to know this and how they’ll learn it. This will be provided in the form of the personal learning checklist – PLC and will help them understand the PSHE schema and helps them understand how this subject links to others.

The PSHE curriculum is sequenced internally to build on existing knowledge and skills, and incrementally develop new knowledge of new skills required for the current point of their life journey. The NHS SHNA survey report at the start of Year 9 also provides direction as to what needs to be taught when for our pupils. Pupils understand the sequence and what they’re required to learn as a result of using the PLCs. Spaced retrieval, repeated practice, self-evaluation, sharing experiences, discussion of strategies and discussion of application to ones own life, are used to ensure that PSHE concepts are understood and knowledge remembered.  During class discussion, pupils analyse their own life and that of others, and we place emphasis on the acquisition of tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary. Modelling and explaining this vocabulary in our teaching.

In addition to the diverse and rich opportunities offered through lessons, we value opportunities to take pupils out on trips and visits that relate to PSHE across the school in a range of subjects. In addition to our PSHE curriculum days we also invite related organisations in to work with our pupils, for example, County Lines, Street Wise, Wasted Lives. Extra-curricular opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in PSHE are offered to pupils and staff, as and when they arise.

PSHEE at Priory is delivered in discrete days dedicated to the allocated topic. The learning is always active, with many outside agencies and speakers brought into the school to enhance the pupils’ learning.

Further information at >> https://www.priory.lancs.sch.uk/news/2019-09-23-character-and-culture-what-s-it-all-about

Year 7

In their first year the year 7s learn all about different techniques and skills to learn; develop teamwork and lateral thinking skills when marooned on a desert island; learn all about online safety; learn about mindfulness and aspects of a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally; and basic skills of finance and budgeting.

Year 8

In their second year the pupils learn about their own personal learning styles, how to develop different skills for different types of problems, and resilience in adversity; they learn about the politics of democracy and justice, winning the vote and core British values; They participate in a first aid course; discuss relationships and wise choices, including more on e-safety; and they look in depth at wellness, stress management skills and personal growth.

Year 9

The pupils receive professional information about drugs from the Addiction Team; learn about voting and participate in hustings and an election; experience a day about disabilities and how they can help others; learn more about Sex Education and choices; and look at finance and becoming an earner and the costs of living.

Year 10

The pupils explore their feelings about diversity in our Culture, including LGBT+ issues and Islamophobia; Examine sexual health and consent issues; Look at the finance of business by trying to create their own company; prepare for work experience and learn about Health and safety; and learn about driving safety with much input from the Emergency Services.

Year 11

The pupils prepare skills for applications and interviews; look at motivational and revision techniques for exams; learn to plan and execute effective revision strategies; and finally look at finance, with some emphasis on student finances.


Implementation

Please refer to the document below.

PSHE Implementation Document

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