PSHE and RSE

Intent Statement

The PSHE curriculum at Ellern Mede Orange Tree School is designed using the PSHE association programme of study as a basis with the addition of the unique set up of our school and the individual needs of the students taken into account when planning and implementing. Each year group will study a range of topics under the main three themes:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships and Sex education (RSE)
• Living in the wider world

The aim of RSE at are Ellern Mede Orange Tree is to give our young people the information they need to help them develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, not just intimate relationships. It aims to enable them to know what a healthy relationship looks like and what makes a good friend, a good colleague and a successful marriage or other type of committed relationship. It will also cover contraception, developing intimate relationships and resisting pressure to have sex (and not applying pressure). It will teach what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relationships. This will help our pupils understand the positive effects that good relationships have on their mental wellbeing, identify when relationships are not right and understand how such situations can be managed.

Curriculum

KS3

At KS3, pupils build on the skills, values and knowledge and understanding they have gained and developed from their primary school or other provisions. PSHE addresses the changes that young people experience as they grow, the challenges of adolescence and their developing independent skills. PSHE aims to embed skills which will support each student with new opportunities and any challenges they may face now and in later life. PSHE aims to develop their confidence in addressing social challenges and effective learning and development, so they are able to make a full and active contribution to their school life and beyond the classroom.

KS4

At Key stage 4, pupils build on the knowledge and skills they have learned in KS3 and further explore values and attitudes whilst acquiring wider knowledge solidify understanding learned in the main themes at KS3. PSHE at KS4 supports students to develop more independent skills, thoughts and understanding of feelings to help them take on the responsibility for themselves and for others.

KS5

By the end of key stage 5 many young people will leave home for the first time and live independently as adults, possibly in new and distant locations.

Key stage 5, it is a final last opportunity to ensure that students have developed and practiced real competence in the skills and strategies they’ve been developing through PSHE at KS3 &4; and to extend the knowledge and understanding that they need to prepare them for independent living and the next stage in their education or career.