Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE)

PSHE rationale:

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) are an essential and integrated part of the curriculum at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes.  Our developmentally-appropriate and sequenced curriculum ensures that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to lead healthy, fulfilling lives as responsible and active citizens.

 During secondary school, students go through significant physical, emotional, and social changes that can affect their well-being and future prospects. The PSHE provision at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes provides a framework for supporting students' personal, social, and emotional development, as well as their health and economic well-being, during this important stage of their lives.

 Our mission is to create successful citizens.  We believe that education should not be limited to academic learning but should also encompass social and emotional learning. This includes developing students' self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making skills.

 In addition, PSHE education aims to help students develop an understanding of the complex social and cultural issues that they will face as they grow up, such as relationships, sex education, drugs, alcohol, mental health, and online safety. By providing students with the knowledge and skills to manage these issues, PSHE education can help them to make informed decisions and avoid risky behaviours.

 Furthermore, PSHE education is designed to promote inclusion and respect for diversity, encouraging students to appreciate and celebrate differences in others. This can help to foster a positive school environment where all students feel valued and respected.

 RSE is an important part of PSHE education, as it provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about relationships and sex. It also helps them to develop the skills and attitudes necessary for respectful and healthy relationships.

 The local context shapes and guides our delivery of the curriculum; it is imperative that we serve the needs of the community we serve.  PSHE education at King’s Leadership Academy Hawthornes provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to navigate the complexities of modern life, develop positive relationships, make informed decisions, and become active, successful and responsible citizens.

Curriculum intent: PSHE

The PSHE programme, including RSE, has been developed to promote students' personal, social, and emotional development, as well as their health and economic well-being.  The programme has been designed to: 

• Promote positive mental health and well-being: to provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop positive self-esteem and confidence, and to cope with challenges and difficulties. It also aims to promote emotional resilience and support students in maintaining good mental health.
• Develop healthy and respectful relationships: to provide students with the knowledge and skills to develop positive and healthy relationships with others, including understanding of consent, boundaries, and healthy communication. It also aims to support students in developing respectful relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. 
• Develop financial literacy and economic well-being: to equip students with the knowledge and skills to manage money effectively, to understand the importance of saving, investing, and budgeting, and to develop entrepreneurial skills.
• Promote physical health and well-being: to promote a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, healthy eating, good hygiene, and avoidance of substance misuse. It also aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health, including sexual health.
• Develop critical thinking and decision-making skills: to develop students' ability to make informed decisions, to think critically, and to evaluate information. It also aims to support students in developing the skills necessary to manage risks and to stay safe.
• Develop aspirations and support future education and career choices: to increase students’ understanding of higher and further education. It also aims to help students consider how option choices and extra-curricular activities can support future career options.