Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE)

Vision Statement:

At Washingwell, our vision for PSHE is to provide a range of opportunities for children to develop themselves in a well-balanced way beyond the academic; to move from childhood to adolescence with support and guidance, encouraging both an awareness of others and the growth of responsible independence. We will explore our own beliefs, experiences, values, principles, moral and ethical views, celebrate them and accept those from different countries, religions and cultures.  Through this, our children can develop the confidence, talents and skills, to become effective individuals, motivated learners and active citizens. We want to prepare them for the future by encouraging the development of characteristics for life such as a love of learning, resilience, integrity, team work, critical thinking and independence. We want to prepare them for the world of work and support them in developing enterprise skills and financial awareness.

Our school bases the core work in PSHE around the needs of the children within our school, guided by the DFE guidance Relationship Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education.

Through relationship education we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Understand the relationships within families and between people who care for them.
• Exploring characteristics of healthy family life, commitment to each other, protection and care for children and other family members, the importance of spending time together and sharing each other’s lives.
• Understand the importance of friendship, including mutual respect, trustworthiness, loyalty, trust, sharing experiences and interests and support with problems and difficulties.
• Understand the importance of respectful relationships, respecting others even when they are very different from them (e.g. physically, in character, personality or background).
• Recognise the importance of self-respect and how this links to happiness.
• Understand that the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships.
• Have the skills and knowledge to stay safe, exploring boundaries, privacy, appropriateness and how to ask for help and advice.

Through physical health and mental wellbeing education we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Understand that mental wellbeing is a normal part of daily life, in the same way as physical health.
• Consider the effect of their own and others online actions and know how to recognise and display respectful behaviour online.
• Recognise the characteristics and mental and physical benefits of an active lifestyle.
• Recognise what constitutes a healthy diet.
• Have knowledge of the facts about legal and illegal harmful substances and associated risks, including smoking, alcohol use and drug-taking.
• Understand and have knowledge about physical illness, sun exposure, sleep, dental health, personal hygiene and puberty.

What does PSHE offer children? How does it enhance the curriculum?

• It helps children establish personal understanding.
• Allows children to explore and challenge a range of values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities.
• Children gain a range of skills and strategies to live a healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced life.
• Encourages respect of all people and helps them appreciate differences and diversity and feel confident and informed as a British citizen.

What use is it to children in later life? 

• The skills acquired through PSHE learning will form the foundations for all future social, emotional and physical development at different life stages.
• These skills will allow children to thrive and live life to the fullest, accepting who they are and their place in society.
• Supports responsible decision making and managing critical opportunities and challenges they face throughout life.
• Skills, attitudes and aptitudes gained from PSHE are essential for all future employment, careers and life choices.