PSHE and RSE

Our pupils are taught PSHE and RSE on a weekly basis by their form teacher. Many of the themes that we deliver during these sessions are often also explored within our school assemblies, which aim to promote further thought and discussion, and throughout the school week.

At Blundell’s, we aim to promote personal well-being and development through a comprehensively taught programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education that gives our pupils the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive, and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.

The school adopts objectives drawn from the Kapow framework for PSHE and RSE (Relationships, Sex Education) curriculum which focuses on the following content areas: Families and relationships, Health and wellbeing, Safety and the changing body, Citizenship, Economic wellbeing, Identify and Transition. As a school, we recognise that what we teach in the classroom will help our pupils foster lifelong aspirations, goals, and values. We aim to provide our pupils with an equal opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge they need to become open minded, adaptable, resilient, respectful towards themselves and others, whilst also promote a sense of responsibility to their community, society, and environment.

Course Content

The formal PSHE lessons are taught by Form Teachers who play a vital role in supporting the pupils’ own experiences and learning. These lessons are largely guided by our Kapow framework which includes essential coverage used to fulfil the statutory requirements to deliver Relationships Education. Our PSHE lessons also include specific online safety sessions, derived from ‘Common Sense Education’ which take place every half term as we remain dedicated to supporting our pupils thrive in a world of media and technology. Throughout the year, we provide our pupils with numerous opportunities to learn about British Values, as well as rights and responsibilities. They are encouraged to form and share their own opinions and discuss current affairs that are of local, national, and international interest. PSHE, however, spreads throughout the whole ethos of the school and daily assembly time is also seen as an extremely important time for the whole school to think about themselves and others. The school also appoints prefects who have individual responsibilities, and an elected School Council who are encouraged to run their own meetings and take an active role in the running of the school. For example, the School Council decide the charities the school will support, consider new initiatives, and raise money for playground equipment. The merit mark and house point reward system also help to promote a positive attitude to school life and encourages personal responsibility. The school has a simple Code of Conduct rather than a large set of rules, and its motto 'Non-Sibi' ("not for one's self") is central to the school’s ethos.

Aims of the PSHE department

To address all aspects of personal, social, health and economic education.
To give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding that they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives, and to become informed, active, responsible citizens.
To encourage confidence and responsibility.
To lead a healthy and safe lifestyle.
To respect differences between people.
To learn about the skills necessary to take an active role as an informed citizen.