PSHE

In the Kindergarten (Foundation Stage), the focus of Personal and Social Development is on helping the young students to make friends, and to work and play co-operatively with others. The aim is to help them to develop confidence in themselves and their own abilities by encouraging them to try, to concentrate, to persevere, to make decisions and to be appropriately independent. They are encouraged to help each other, but also to ask for adult help when needed, and both effort and achievement are praised. Sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others, positive attitudes towards other cultures, and respect for the environment are all topics included at this stage. Good personal habits are also strongly encouraged, including health and hygiene.

In the Primary School in Key Stages 1 and 2 (ages 5 – 11), the programme of Personal and Social Development and Citizenship continues, also incorporating in Year 6 (age 10 -11) Sex and Relationships Education. The School aims to give the students awareness of their own bodies and of the gradual physical changes of growth towards puberty. It is school policy to teach sex education in a sensitive manner, but parents/guardians have the right to withdraw their children from the non-compulsory elements of this unit of work and are consulted prior to the sessions.

In Key Stages 3 and 4 (Years 7 to 11) of the Secondary School a lively and interesting programme of Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) is followed. In Key Stage 5, the Careers & Life Skills programme shifts the emphasis to Higher Education options and Careers (see separate Careers & Life Skills section).