Personal, Social, Health and Economic education
In June 2019 the DfE published new guidance on relationships education (primary) relationships and sex education (secondary) and health education (primary and secondary). The new curriculum has been mandatory from September 2020.
More information can be found here.
"Children can benefit enormously from high-quality Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education. Good PSHE supports individual young people to make safe and informed choices. It can help tackle public health issues such as substance misuse and help young people with the financial decisions they must make." Department for Education - The Importance of Teaching 2010
PSHE education is a planned, developmental programme of learning designed to help learners develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future.
PSHE education is central to helping pupils to stay healthy and safe and to equipping them with the personal and social skills to negotiate life's challenges, opportunities and risks.
PSHE education is a non-statutory subject although the National Curriculum Framework states that "All schools should make provision for personal, social health and economic education (PSHE), drawing on good practice."
PSHE education helps schools fulfil their statutory duties to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, offer sex and relationships education, promote SMSC as well as meet their responsibilities in relation to pupil wellbeing and safeguarding. From January 2014 the DfE clarified that schools must publish details of their PSHE education curriculum on their website.
There is growing evidence to suggest that the skills and attitudes acquired through PSHE education have a significant impact on pupils' academic achievement, employability and future life chances.
‘Children with higher levels of emotional, behavioural, social and school well-being on average have higher levels of academic achievement and are more engaged in school, both concurrently and in later years.’ The impact of pupil behaviour and wellbeing on educational outcomes (Department for Education, 2012)
Key national guidance for teaching PSHE education can be found here
PSHE education in Wiltshire
Effective planning and delivery of PSHE education has been at the heart of the Wiltshire Healthy Schools Programme.
Wiltshire schools can access a range of support for PSHE education, including central and in school training, by contacting the Personal Development Education Adviser.
Over recent years we have been pleased to see a significant development in the teaching of PSHE education in Wiltshire Schools, which has coincided with measurable improvements to children's health and wellbeing. The main reason for these improvements has been the commitment of Wiltshire teachers to this curriculum area. Over the past few years an increasing number of Wiltshire teachers have achieved local and national accreditation for their PSHE teaching, following local training and observed classroom practice.
