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PSHE

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.  Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less" - Marie Curie

 

Subject Overview
At The Forest we value PSHE as a way to help our learners understand more about themselves and others, to enable them to develop as rounded individuals.  

Curriculum Intent
We aim to cover all aspects, personal, social, health and economic of the curriculum thoroughly using the Unifrog careers and PSHE programme.  This will enable students to find out more about themselves and explore a range of different career paths.  It will also empower learners to recognise what is healthy and right for them and speak out when it isn’t.

Curriculum Implementation
As our learners tutors are a constant presence in their school careers tutors teach PSHE in tutor time.  This is a familiar and safe environment, so will enable learners to be more honest in their reflections and questioning.  We aim to encourage conversation about a wide range of topics, using the Unifrog programme as a core, and supplementing it with a range of other appropriate resources such as the British Heart Foundation.

Curriculum Impact
As this is mainly discussion based and there are no final exams, it is hard to quantify the impact.  However, the student voice reflects that they value this time to explore a wide range of issues and ask the questions they need to, therefore empowering them as people and hopefully providing them with the skills they need to navigate the wider world now and in the future.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–8):
All key stages the PSHE curriculum follows the same topics, the lessons are age appropriate within the following topic areas:

  • Diversity and anti-racism
  • Sexual health, Sexuality and gender.  
  • Well-being and mental health
  • Life Skills
  • Relationships, family and friends
  • Online safety
  • Physical health

Key Stage 4 (Years 9 - 11):
Information is provided on the GCSE courses offered, including exam boards, course content, and assessment structure.  The element of Work Experience in Year 10 is supported by the Unifrog Platform, with students able to research potential career paths, the requirements and paths of entry, but also seeking out their own opportunities for work experience in the summer term. The spiral nature of the curriculum at Key Stage 4 builds upon the students knowledge and understanding developed at Key Stage 3 in through the topics of:

  • Diversity and anti-racism
  • Sexual health, Sexuality and gender.  
  • Well-being and mental health
  • Life Skills
  • Relationships, family and friends
  • Online safety
  • Physical health

Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13): (if applicable)
The detailed career’s programme throughout The Forest School culminates in Year 13. Students are expertly guided through the process of applying to university, to supporting them in their applications for apprenticeships and in applying for employment. Year 12 students undertake work experience and are taken to Careers Fayre’s and university open days. Just as at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, the students follow the Unifrog Programme of study for PSHE, which whilst covering the same broad topics, supports the students in their next educational / career steps.

Enrichment Opportunities
Where possible outside speakers are invited in to provide further information on various topics such as sexual health, run by The School Nurse Service in Year 9. At Key Stage 3 we participate in the Positive Choices Day, run by Wokingham Borough Council, taking the students out of the school environment to experience professional group’s developing the student’s understanding of staying safe online and helping to understand the risks posed in the modern world. Year’s 8 and 9 experience outside speakers to further students understanding of of their mental and physical wellbeing, allowing them to make informed decisions.

Curious about the curriculum

Resources and Facilities
All students are provided with a Unifrog login.  Within this programme they can access a wide range of PSHE resources and careers information.  This has a ‘locker’ facility so they can save any page or video they find useful, as well as any work they have created. Should they continue into Further and Higher Education they can still access this locker enabling them to access documents such as CVs they may have saved.

Contact Information
If you'd like to find out more please contact Miss C Thornton, Subject Leader on cthornton@forest.academy

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