PSHE

PSHE Curriculum

Altwood school has a whole school approach to the delivery of the PSHE curriculum (including the statutory elements). There is dedicated curriculum time where bespoke lessons are delivered to KS3 on a weekly basis. KS4 receive their lessons through a planned disaggregation of curriculum time. KS5 students receive PSHE lessons as part of their enrichment programme.   

At Altwood, we believe the teaching of RSE and health education helps prepare students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. It allows us to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of students at school and in the wider society. We have an obligation to provide students with high-quality, evidence and age-appropriate teaching of these subjects.

The curriculum has been developed using PSHE association resources creating a spiral thematic approach, where planned revisiting of key topics embeds and deepens students understanding. The three core themes of relationships, living in the wider word and health and wellbeing underpin student learning.

At key stage 3, students build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during the primary phase. PSHE education acknowledges and addresses the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence. It teaches the knowledge and skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life. Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media.

At key stage 4, students deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSHE education reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.

The KS5 curriculum is developed following the PSHE association guidance but equally importantly using student voices to inform bespoke sessions and guide staff on which outside speakers to organise and which sessions to prioritise.

Alongside the curriculum lessons, whole school initiatives and opportunities compliment student learning. There are strong links to careers education and where appropriate, carefully selected outside agencies are invited to deliver sessions. Assemblies, theme of the fortnight and charitable events further embed students understanding of the skills and attributes explored within PSHE.