PSHE and Citizenship

pshe3PSHE information

Personal, social, health and economic education brings together personal, social and health education, work-related learning, careers, enterprise, and financial capability. There are two new non-statutory programmes of study at key stages 3 and 4: personal wellbeing, and economic wellbeing and financial capability. The programmes of study are based on the Every Child Matters outcomes and build on the existing frameworks and guidelines in these areas.

The National Curriculum for England

DFES/ QCA

Citizenship information

Education for citizenship equips young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to play an effective role in public life. Citizenship encourages them to take an interest in topical and controversial issues and to engage in discussion and debate. Pupils learn about their rights, responsibilities, duties and freedoms and about laws, justice and democracy. They learn to take part in decision-making and different forms of action. They play an active role in the life of their schools, neighbourhoods, communities and wider society as active and global citizens.

Citizenship encourages respect for different national, religious and ethnic identities. It equips pupils to engage critically with and explore diverse ideas, beliefs, cultures and identities and the values we share as citizens in the UK. Pupils begin to understand how society has changed and is changing in the UK, Europe and the wider world.

The National Curriculum for England

DFES/ QCA

Enrichment

A wide range of enrichment activities is available. We work closely with outside agencies to ensure our students get a well balanced education.

Examples include:

  • Cragrats; a national theatre company who work with KS3 and KS4 on matters to do with alcohol and drug awareness
  • We have close links with the British Transport Police. PC Bob Vickery talks to our Year 7 students every year about railway safety.
  • The Fire Service are used in PSHE to give safety talks to our Year 8 students about arson and its effects in a collapsed session every year.

PSHE and Citizenshippshe4

PSHE and Citizenship offers opportunities for students to:

  • Develop an understanding of rights and responsibilities;
  • To process, and gain skills for community involvement;
  • To gain the knowledge and skills required to establish and exercise political literacy.
  • To learn about the importance of healthy lifestlyes

Course overview

The personal and social health development of pupils is naturally an integral responsibility of all subject departments. At Netherhall School we teach PSHE and Citizenship explicitly as well to try and make our students as well rounded and balanced as possible. During Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) students receive one hour of PSHE and Citizenship explicitly taught every fortnight. During Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) students receive a one hour lesson a week. Citizenship also gets taught through other subjects at Netherhall, usually in Humanities subjects such as History, Geography and Religious Education.

Content of PSHE and Citizenship at Key Stage 3

The emphasis is on the need to consider and discuss a number of issues relating to Careers, Citizenship, Economics, Health, Law, Morality, Politics, Relationships, Religion, Sex and Society. Outside speakers, audiovisual resources and simulation exercises are often used to provide a focus of interest and expertise.

GCSE Citizenship

Currently Netherhall does not offer a GCSE in Citizenship. A GCSE in PSHE is not available nationally.

PSHE and Citizenship at A Level

At A Level the leadership team offer various outside speakers to speak to the students.

Sex Education

Pupils in Years 7–9 are taught ‘Family Life and Sex Education’ during the school year by PSHE teachers. Each class has three hour-long sessions in each school year covering topics appropriate to the maturity of the pupils. Sex Education is also taught as a module in the Personal and Social Development course in Upper School. The aim is to encourage all pupils to develop an informed and responsible attitude to relationships, disease (including AIDS) and contraception and is presented in such a manner as to encourage the pupils to have due regard for moral considerations and the value of family life.

Parents and carers will receive further information through a letter sent home which details the specifics about what the students will be taught. The letter is sent at least a week before the lessons take place.

Note: Parental opinion has been regularly sought in this element of the curriculum and it is kept under review by the School Governing Body. Parents have a right to withdraw pupils from all or part of Sex Education where it does not form part of the National Curriculum.

For more in-depth information about the PSHE and Citizenship courses click here.