PSHE

Friesland School believes that PSHE makes an essential contribution to every student’s health, wellbeing and preparation for adult life in society. It is an integral part of the SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural) and RSE (relationships and sex education) programme of the school and is delivered across all year groups as part of the PSHE programme, assemblies, form time and enrichment lessons.

The PSHE curriculum will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes students need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life and work. Our curriculum aims to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team working and critical thinking in the context of three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education). Throughout the curriculum students are provided with opportunities to reflect on, clarify their own values and attitudes, and explore the complex and conflicting range of values and attitudes encountered now and in the future. Our curriculum will remain flexible and will appropriately reflect world events and topics relevant to our local and school community.

We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated by the Government – these recent changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child. There is a dedicated teaching period on your child’s timetable where these carefully planned and constructed lessons are delivered by your child’s from tutor. The Pastoral leader for each year group is responsible for overseeing these lessons. At Friesland School we will deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs of our students.

The RSE element aims to give young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds. During your child’s time at Friesland School the content will cover what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like and what makes a good friend, colleague and successful marriage or committed relationship. At the appropriate time, the focus will move to developing intimate relationships, to equip your child with the knowledge they need to make safe, informed and healthy choices as they progress through adult life. It also aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to see support as early as possible when issues arise.

The important lessons you as parents or carers teach your child about healthy relationships, looking after themselves and staying safe, are respected and valued under this new curriculum. As a parent or carer, you cannot withdraw your child from health education or the relationships education element of Relationship and Sex Education, because it is important that all children receive this content, covering topics such as friendship and how to stay safe. If you do not want you child to take part in some or all of the sex education lessons delivered, you can ask that they are withdrawn. The headteacher will consider this request and discuss it with you, and will grant this in all exceptional circumstances, up until three school terms before your child turns 16. At this age, your child can choose to receive sex education if they would like to, and the school will arrange for your child to receive this teaching in one of those three terms (unless there are exceptional circumstances).

Please note that the Science curriculum in all mainstream schools also includes content on human development including reproduction, from which there is no right to withdraw.

PSHE Programme of Study