PSHE stands for personal, social, health and economic education. PSHE is a vital component of our curriculum here at Bohunt. It is a subject that goes beyond traditional academics, playing a crucial role in helping children and young people prepare for life in modern Britain. PSHE education equips our students with the knowledge and skills to stay healthy, safe, and well-prepared for the challenges of the world.

The Department for Education (DfE) recognises the significance of PSHE education, describing it as ‘an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education.’ This acknowledgement underscores the subject’s integral role in fostering well-rounded individuals who are not only academically successful but also socially and emotionally resilient.

Furthermore, the DfE’s evidence review emphasises the positive impact of PSHE education on the well-being of children and young people. It highlights how PSHE education can improve their physical and psychosocial well-being. What’s even more striking is the notion of a ‘virtuous cycle’ where better health and well-being can lead to improved academic performance, creating a pathway to greater success.

At Bohunt, we take this to heart and are committed to delivering high-quality PSHE education that empowers our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s complex world. We firmly believe that nurturing well-rounded individuals is essential for a brighter, more prosperous future. We aim to prepare our students for life’s challenges, ensuring they not only achieve their academic potential but also lead fulfilling lives in modern Britain and beyond.

PSHE Curriculum Journey

Our PSHE curriculum is designed with a clear purpose. We aim to prepare our students for life beyond school by nurturing essential qualities such as resilience, understanding, tolerance, and care for both themselves and those around them. These qualities are fundamental for personal growth and successful social integration.

Download the 5 Year Curriculum Journey

Rationale:

Our commitment to delivering high-quality PSHE education is grounded in several key principles:

Access to Quality Education: It is paramount that our students have access to top-tier PSHE programmes that are rooted in best practices.

Continuous Improvement: We continuously build on best practices from across our trust, ensuring that our program is up-to-date and reflective of current issues.

Staff Support: We provide our staff with relevant and current Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities to enhance their teaching practice.

Flexibility: Our program is flexible, allowing us to adapt to the specific needs of our local student population.

Adhering to Regulations: We align with the new Ofsted Framework, which focuses on the quality of teaching and learning, personal development, and cultural capital. We also meet our statutory duties regarding RSE and Fundamental British Values.

Implementation:

Our PSHE program is structured to ensure student-centred learning and a nurturing environment. Here’s how we put this into practice:

Fortnightly Rotation: Our PSHE program operates on a fortnightly rotation, with tutors guiding their tutees through the curriculum’s learning journey. This approach places students at the centre of their education, as tutors, who know the students best, can deliver accurate and age-appropriate content in a safe and familiar environment.

Comprehensive Curriculum: Our PSHE program of study is carefully planned, offering a broad and balanced curriculum. We go beyond statutory guidance, incorporating student input, career-related content, and a Peer Education Programme for Year 7.

Spiral Approach: PSHE is arranged in a ‘spiral’ curriculum (pictured left) where topics are re-visited as pupils develop a mature understanding of complex issues during their journey through the School.

Three Core Themes: Within our curriculum, students explore three core themes: Relationships, Health and Wellbeing, and Living in Our World. These themes are central to their personal development and readiness for life’s challenges.

At Bohunt, we are dedicated to providing our students with a well-rounded education that empowers them to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our PSHE program is a crucial component of this commitment, fostering personal growth, resilience, and the ability to thrive in the modern world.

PSHE – More than a Lesson

Pupils have dedicated PSHE lessons every other week which take place on Friday mornings. However, PSHE is a cross-curricular subject and students also study key elements of PSHE in other subjects, for example Core RS, Philosophy and Ethics, Geography, History, Drama, Science and Computing. Students also benefit from learning about PSHE in weekly year group meetings, through co-curricular activities and through talks and workshops from visiting experts.

Part of our tutor time programme includes mornings focused on wellbeing, careers, house meetings and current affairs which all support our PSHE lessons.