PSHE AND CITIZENSHIP Date Created: 10 th January 2012 Date Reviewed: 5 th October 2014 Date For Review: 10 th January 2018
Southall School Curriculum Policy for PSHE and Citizenship Description of the School Southall School is a secondary special school catering for 160 pupils aged between 11 and 16, all of whom are identified as having moderate learning difficulties and some with additional complex needs in areas such as Communication, Autism and Behavioural needs. The pupils are from a cross section of society and largely live in Telford. School aims The overall aims of Southall School, to motivate, educate and celebrate and innovate, clarify the importance given to the personal and social development of each individual. We aim to promote a caring and happy environment in which all pupils can thrive, assisting them to develop maturity, independence, self-confidence and self-esteem. We aim to assist them to lead a life as independently as possible, to integrate socially and to leave school prepared for the life ahead of them. We aim to provide a learning environment which promotes moral and spiritual development, embraces equality of opportunity and challenges pupils to be actively involved in their own learning. The provision of PSHE and Citizenship within the school contributes towards the achievement of these aims. Safeguarding Southall School is committed to the SAFEGUARDING of all of its community. PSHE and citizenship is a useful way of teaching young people about SAFEGUARDING issues. PSHE and Citizenship may also give a child or young person an opportunity or confidence to tell an adult about something that may be concerning them. Should this occur, the school SAFEGUARDING POLICY must be adhered to. Documents that have informed this policy The documents that have informed this policy include: National Curriculum non-statutory framework for PSHE at Key Stages 3 and 4 National Curriculum programmes of study for Citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4 Guidance-Planning, teaching and assessing the curriculum for pupils with learning difficulties SAFEGUARDING POLICY
The Nature and Purpose of PSHE and Citizenship To develop good relationships in all aspects of life, including at school, in the classroom and on the playground and to promote a positive school ethos. To develop self-esteem in the whole community. To promote life skills and knowledge. To develop independence. To develop an atmosphere for learning. To develop and encourage links with parents and the community. To provide opportunities for pupils to make choices and decisions. To provide opportunities for pupils to take responsibility for their own actions. To give pupils the opportunity to plan and to use their own initiative. To foster positive attitudes in the pupils perceptions of themselves and others. To enable each pupil to take an appropriate place in the adult world. The PSHE and Citizenship Curriculum Provision PSHE forms an important part of pupil s development and the link with parents, carers and home is very important. Parents will be kept informed of their children s progress and programmes of work through Annual Reviews, reports and Parent Consultation Evenings. ASDAN has been introduced into year 7 and will form the framework for delivering PSHE. This accredited course has been introduced to Key Stage 3 in order to develop a more independent and pupil centred approach to learning and will be used as follows: Year 7 pupils ASDAN Stepping Stones Year 8 and 9 ASDAN Key Steps. Upon completing 30 or 60 notional hours of study on the various modules within the Key Skills book, students in year 9 will be awarded certificates recognising the areas of study they have covered. This work will transfer with them to KS4 where it can be used as evidence for the accredited COPE certificate. The COPE certificate underpins the PHSE & PSD programme in KS4 and this course also includes a vocational element. Students attend college one day a week and complete a period of work experience in the community. This is very practical based course is the perfect vehicle to enable students to further develop and put into practice the key personal skills and qualities they have focused on in the Stepping Stones and Key Skills programmes at Key Stage 3.
The COPE modules are similar to, and therefore a progression of, the Stepping Stones and Key Skills programmes. The statutory areas of sex and relationships and drugs and alcohol programmes are delivered through specific schemes of work whilst other areas are challenge based through ASDAN COPE. Southall considers that the PSHE programme is broad, balanced, progressive and accredited. It supports all learning and, in particular, elements of learning where there may be a greater emphasis on PHSE related skills, e.g. PE, HE. Students not only have the opportunity to develop personal skills and qualities in a variety of ways and settings, but they also become used to planning, carrying out and reviewing the activities or challenges they undertake. This regular exposure to these opportunities will enable Southall students to become more independent and more autonomous citizens of society. A variety of teaching methods and learning approaches are employed to enable individuals to benefit from their programmes. All activities are tailored to meet the needs of individuals and groups with varying abilities. Teaching methods and learning approaches include delivery through discrete PSHE and Citizenship lessons involving circle time, working with others, discussion, reflection, role play, making choices and decisions and developing personal autonomy and independence. Delivery also takes place through the school council and social situations such as lunchtime, extra-curricular activities and importance of self help and independent living skills to our pupils. Southall School is committed to each child developing a range of personal competences throughout all Key Stages; therefore time is allocated and planned for as part of the overall curriculum. Assessment, Recording and Reporting An assessment of attainment levels within the PSHE and Citizenship will be recorded on B 2. Photographs, pupil statements, written and annotated work will reinforce these where possible. As part of the child s annual report the activities covered and progress made in PSHE and Citizenship are reported to parents. Monitoring and Evaluation The coordinator is responsible for monitoring the PSHE and Citizenship programme and its delivery using appropriate resources and a variety of teaching and learning styles. The coordinator monitors planning and carries out observations of teaching, evaluating the outcomes of the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum. The senior management team has an overview of this process. Resources The coordinator is responsible for ordering resources, in consultation with other school staff. The coordinator will inform staff of new resources that have been purchased and advise on their appropriate use. The coordinator will
also monitor and evaluate the use of PSHE and Citizenship resources within school. Resources are kept both within individual classrooms and in the PSHE and Citizenship resource boxes in the resources room. Staff Development The coordinator, along with the Senior Management Team, will identify staff development needs and arrange whole school and individual staff training opportunities as required. The outcomes of training are disseminated during staff meetings. Role of the PSHE and Citizenship Co-ordinator The coordinator s role involves: Raising awareness amongst staff of their contributions to the pupils personal and social development and agreeing with them the overall aims, objectives and outcomes; Establish consistency of best practice to which all pupils are entitled; Leading policy development; Agreeing the main priorities for the pupils personal and social development and identifying the major opportunities for meeting these priorities across the Key Stages; Providing appropriate support and training for staff; Monitoring and evaluating the programme, including the use of outside agencies and pupils responses to the programme; Carrying out a continuous process of review and development of the programme as part of the annual cycle of school improvement; Attending relevant courses and network meetings; Ordering and monitoring resources. Handling Sensitive and Controversial Issues Sensitive and controversial issues are likely to arise in PSHE and Citizenship teaching. To deal with these ground rules are established within each group concerning how such issues will be dealt with and distancing techniques are used. Teachers will establish clear parameters about what will be taught in a whole-class setting and what will be dealt with on an individual basis. Use of Community Based Agencies Outside agencies and other professionals are utilised to support and work alongside staff in the delivery of PSHE and Citizenship topics. These include the school nurse and the Connexions service. The National Healthy School Standard Southall School is working towards accreditation as a Healthy School. This standard provides an integrated whole school approach to the promotion of PSHE and Citizenship.
Related Policies This policy links to other school policies. These include: Drug Education Pupil Safety Statement Equal Opportunities Confidentiality Behaviour Sex and Relationship Education Child Protection Consultation, Dissemination, Review Members of the school community and relevant community based agencies are included in the processes of consultation, dissemination and review of this policy. It is reviewed and updated with the Senior Management Team, whole school staff (teaching and non-teaching) and governors annually. Copies of the policy are available for parents and relevant community based agencies to view and their comments are encouraged.