PSHE
In PSHE, our aim is to help our students foster lifelong aspirations, goals, and values. We provide students with equal opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, now and in the future, in a modern British society, including helping students to deal with the critical issues they face every day such as friendships, emotional wellbeing, and change. PSHE provides students with a solid foundation for whatever challenging opportunities lie ahead, so they can face a world full of uncertainty with hope. From making informed decisions about alcohol to succeeding in their first job, PSHE education helps students prepare for all the opportunities, challenges, life decisions and responsibilities they will face. This in turn achieves a ‘virtuous circle’, whereby students with better health and wellbeing can achieve better academically and enjoy greater success.
It is now a statutory requirement to teach PSHE. This statutory content – often referred to as RSHE – covers Relationships Education at key stages 1 and 2, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) at key stages 3 and 4, and Health Education from key stage 1 to 4. Students in year 7 will develop further and deepen their knowledge of RSE, living in the wider world, and health and wellbeing. The spiral curriculum PSHE adopts, allows students to revisit topics each year as appropriate to their age.
“Think before you speak, read before you think.”
In Key Stage 3, students develop their knowledge of RSE, Health and Wellbeing, British values, Careers, and Living in the Wider World. We aim for students to develop critical thinking and debating skills, while in a safe and encouraging environment. Students study PSHE with their form tutor and peers, allowing them to feel confident to express opinions and challenge stereotypes and discrimination. RSE is taught in single gender groups allowing for gender specific questioning and lesson plans.
As students move into Key Stage 4, they continue the spiral curriculum delivered throughout their time at Millfield with more depth of knowledge and critical thinking in age-appropriate topics. As students begin to grow into young adults, we challenge students to consider the consequences of their actions in a variety of scenarios and prepare them to be safe and secure in their ability to overcome obstacles which they may face. RSE is taught in single gender groups allowing for gender specific questioning and lesson plans, which was chosen by the students.
In PSHE, there are a variety of ‘drop-down days’, allowing students to explore RSE: students investigate healthy relationships; health and wellbeing; positive mental health, and careers. In addition, students prepare for the world of work and explore the options available. They also develop understanding of British Values and how to live in modern British society. Students also gain an understanding of basic first aid alongside various life and employability skills. We also organise various employee encounters and a careers convention.