Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education (PSHE)

At WFS we want our learners to go on to live happy, safe and successful lives in their wider communities.  We want them to leave our school as rounded young adults, ready to meet the next phase in their lives, whatever that may be. We also recognise that many of our pupils are vulnerable and will need support in engaging in and developing an understanding of learning experiences within the wider world. 

The aims of our Personal, Social, Health & Economic (PSHE) curriculum is to support our young people to: 

• be able to communicate and interact effectively with others.
• become more resilient and confident individuals.
• become as independent as they can within their daily lives and life beyond Wyre Forest School
• understand their bodies and emotions and how to promote their physical and mental wellbeing.
• form and sustain positive, healthy relationships and to recognise when a relationship is not healthy and where they can seek support.
• develop pupils’ understanding of their own and others’ mental health and well-being.
• understand their own place in the world and develop a tolerance of those who make different life-style choices to their own.
• develop an understanding of risk, whilst still making safe and informed decisions.

Teachers plan the PSHE curriculum with a sequential and spiral approach to ensure coverage and repetition to aid understanding.  Dependent on pupils working levels, the curriculum is planned from the WFS Progression Steps areas of;

• Independence
• Mental Health & Wellbeing
• Physical Wellbeing and Development

and the following areas:

• Positive Communication
• Healthy Growth and Wellbeing
• Safe Relationships

Relationships and sex education (RSE) is an important part of PSHE education. Relationships education is compulsory for all primary school pupils, and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is compulsory for all secondary school pupils.

There are natural links with our Careers and Preparation for Adulthood and Religious Education programmes and delivery content from our Online Safety Policy.

Relationships Education & Relationships & Sex Education (RSE)

It is a statutory requirement to teach relationships education; Relationships Education for primary age pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for all secondary school pupils. RSE sets scientific knowledge within a broader context and gradually and progressively explores relationships, emotions, views and the promotion of our physical and mental wellbeing. It links to other areas of personal development such as the wider PSHCE curriculum, online safety, science and religious education (differing views, beliefs and practices).

As with all aspects of learning at Wyre Forest School, pupils are introduced to key learning at an appropriate cognitive and emotional level. The approach to this will always be sensitive and respectful and parents and carers are informed before key learning is shared. Staff will endeavour to cover as much of the statutory requirements as appropriate, ensuring that teaching is differentiated and personalised. The WFS Progression Steps support earlier understanding that can be built upon.

RSE may be delivered formally to whole groups, small groups or on an individual basis according to the needs of pupils. Work will be adapted to the understanding of the pupils and supported with appropriate methods of communication and resources. At times conversations with pupils, parents or carers, or school staff noticing particular behaviours may indicate the need to develop a pupil’s knowledge in regard to a specific issue. This additional support may take place within RSE lessons or on a more informal basis either individually, in a small group or within the class group as appropriate so as to ensure the needs of each pupil are met.

Where pupils ask genuine questions pertaining to sex or sexuality which go beyond those set out for RSE or Relationships Education (where sex education is not taught), adults may answer them in sensitive and appropriate ways accessible to that pupil.

Parents/Carers who opt to withdraw their child from RSE lessons will be invited to discuss any concerns with the RSE subject specialist. Support is always available to parents and carers to help them discuss the RSE content with their child.