PSHE
Evidence shows that Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education can improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of pupils; helping children and young people to be safe, healthy and prepared for life's opportunities. PSHE incorporates health education, relationships and sex education (RSE), economic wellbeing and careers.
The Health Education and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) aspects of PSHE are now compulsory in all secondary schools and include mental health and wellbeing; physical health (including healthy lifestyles and first aid); and learning about safe, healthy relationships and sex (including understanding consent, negotiating life online, and intimate relationships).
Health, relationships, economic wellbeing and successful careers are all linked. PSHE is the glue that binds them together. PSHE gathers all of these aspects of preparing for modern life together into a coherent curriculum subject.
Pupils in year 7 have one PSHE lesson per week; pupils in years 8 and 9 have one PSHE lesson a week for three out of the six half terms; and pupils in years 10 and 11 have form time allocated to PSHE lessons.
Following discussion with the school, parents can withdraw their child from the ‘sex’ elements of RSE. It is good practice for parents to meet with the Headteacher if they have any concerns. Parents do not have a right to withdraw their child from Health Education, Relationships or any other aspect of PSHE education. There is no right of withdrawal from National Curriculum science which includes elements of sex education such as puberty and reproduction. Three terms before they turn 16, a student can opt back into sex education lessons. The school has a duty to provide sex education during one of the remaining three terms.