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PSHCE

Trying out the Lord Mayor's seat at Newcastle Civic Centre

PSHCE is a valued part of the curriculum at Gosforth East Middle School as it allows students to express their views on a wide range of topics that either affect them currently, or may do so in the near future. It encourages them to think about how they fit into their community and what kind of impact they are having.

Curriculum Intent

Although the entire scope of PSHE and citizenship is not statutory in England, many aspects such as RSE, relationships and health education are. The subject makes a vital contribution to areas where schools do have a duty. For example, the Education Act (2002) requires that we provide our children with a broad and balanced curriculum that “meets the needs of all pupils”. We know that Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education (SMSC) is paramount in keeping children safe and feeling confident enough in school to learn. Schools have a duty of care to keep pupils safe. 

“High quality, evidence-based and age-appropriate teaching of these subjects can help prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. They can also enable schools to promote the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, at school and in society.” Department for Education (DfE)   

At GEMS, we have followed the scheme of work suggested by the PSHCE Association and adapted it for the needs of our school. We used the Cross Phase Model as our base as it has been specifically designed in mind for middle schools.  

This schemes’ place in the curriculum contributes to the school as a whole, including the whole school ethos ‘In the Pursuit of Excellence’, safeguarding and the contribution to SMSC. 

The 3 core themes covered in the programme are

  •  Health and Wellbeing 
  • Relationships
  • Living in the Wider World

These themes are broken down further into half terms covering Respect and bullying, mental well-being, staying safe, careers, substances, keeping active, personal identity, puberty, health and hygiene, managing change, media literacy, friendships, economic well-being, healthy lifestyles, relationships, diversity, first aid and moving forward. 

Each year students revisit themes covered previously but sequenced at a higher levels or approached from a different angle. British Values and SMSC are sequenced throughout in various topics.  

The Department for Education (DfE) has stated: 

Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. All schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice, and this expectation is outlined in the introduction to the proposed new national curriculum.” 

The PSHE Association states 

“PSHE education gives pupils the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe and to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain…. When taught well, PSHE education helps pupils to achieve their academic potential, and leave school equipped with skills they will need throughout later life.” 

How students are supported in PSHCE

 

Gosforth East Middle School is an inclusive school where every child is valued and respected. We strive for excellence and are committed to the inclusion, progress and resilience of all of our students, including those with SEN. We support our students to make progress in their learning, emotional and social development.  

Teachers are responsible for the progress of ALL students in their class and high-quality teaching is carefully planned to include supporting students who may have SEND. All students are challenged to achieve to the best of their ability, to make good or outstanding. 

Specific approaches which are used within the curriculum areas include: 

  • Targeted and well thought out seating plans 
  • Appropriate levels of scaffolding provided 
  • Ensuring resources are suitable for individual learning needs 
  • Group work and discussion 
  • Clear teacher/student communication 
  • Targeted and well thought out questioning techniques 
  • Feedback that allows all students to make progress, whether written or verbal 
  • Using strategies best suited to addressing individual needs 

Assessment  

In PSHCE assessment takes a variety of the following forms  

  • Continuum lines 
  • Before and after mind maps 
  • Targeted and carefully planned questioning 
  • Group and paired discussions 
  • Pupil voice feedback 
  • Work scrutiny 
  • Student self-assessment and reflection 
  • Card sorting activities before and after 

Enrichment Opportunities

  • Visits by external providers such as Dave Burns and Northumbria Police 
  • Assemblies 
  • Extra curriculum days such as the 4Rs and Wellbeing 
  • Participation in the mock trial by Newcastle Crown Court
  • School Council 
  • House Captain elections 

Curriculum Overview

  Autumn Spring Summer
  1 2 3 4 5 6
Year 5 Respect and Bullying Mental Wellbeing Staying Safe Careers Substances Keeping Active
Year 6 Personal Identity Puberty and Reproduction Health and Hygiene Managing Change Media Literacy Friendships and Staying Safe
Year 7 Economic Wellbeing Healthy Lifestyles

Substances

Careers

Relationships Friendship and Diversity
Year 8 Careers Friendship & Managing Influences

Relationships

 

First Aid & 

Keeping Safe

Mental Health & Wellbeing Moving Forward