Through PSHE at King Ethelbert School we aim to prepare students to be globally minded, caring citizens who make a positive difference to our world. We aim for every student to become globally diverse, caring and principled individuals who have a comprehensive understanding of issues facing themselves and communities. We aim for them to be aware of how they are developing personally and socially and be able to tackle many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We want them to be active participants in their local community, considering how their actions can benefit others. Students will become aspirational for the future and aware of all the opportunities available to them further in life. We want them to be confident in taking risks, and able to reflect on themselves, their own successes and areas of development. Students are taught to understand and articulate Key British Values, how to stay safe online and in relationships.We aim for the students to develop a broad range of strategies - cognitive and practical- for promoting their own and others mental wellbeing. Throughout PSHE students are taught to be inquisitive learners who continue to engage with new and challenging ideas.
Students build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values they have acquired and developed during primary school. PSHE 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 them knowledge and skills which will equip them for the challenges and opportunities of life.
Students learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives and the increasing influence of peers and the media. PSHE is taught with three units: relationships and sex education, living in the wider world, and health and wellbeing.
Students deepen their knowledge and understand and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during key stage 3. PSHE reflects the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on responsibility for themselves and others. Students’ knowledge on the three units covered in key stage 3 is extended. Students are taught how to accurately assess their areas of strength and development, and how to act upon feedback given. They are encouraged to develop their self, confidence and self esteem through education about mental health and how this can be affected by both internal and external influences. They are taught how to manage their lives in a balanced and healthy way. Students further explore relationships by looking at sexual health, positive relationships, consent and relationship values. Students are further taught about choices and pathways available to them after school and how to prepare for the world of work. They become digitally literate and socially responsible students, who are resilient and confident of their place in the world.
By the end of KS5, many young people will leave home for the first time and live independently, possibly in distant locations. There is a balance throughout this programme of study between preparing students to manage their current lives and laying the foundations for managing future experiences. As students progress through the key stages, this balance shifts towards teaching related to young people’s current experiences.
It is essential to provide a comprehensive PSHE programme in key stage 5; this ensures students continue to learn about issues with real-life relevance to them, at a crucial transition point in their lives.
It is important to revisit and reinforce earlier learning through learning that ‘connects’ it to contexts that are relevant to this age group, such as the workplace. This key stage represents the last opportunity to ensure that students have the knowledge and understanding, skills, strategies and attributes they need for independent living and the next stage in their education or career.