PSHE

At Yewlands Academy we recognise the importance PSHE and SMSC in developing our students’ character and preparing them for adulthood in modern Britain.

All students receive weekly PSHE sessions during their form time.  In Years 7 – 10 this is two sessions a week, in Year 11 this is one.  These sessions focus on three core themes: Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World and Relationships.  In Health and Wellbeing students learn how best to stay healthy over their lifetimes and about the importance of looking after our mental health.  Students become adept at recognising dangers in both the real and online world.  Living in the Wider World helps students to navigate the complex world of adulthood by focussing on ambitions, aspirations, careers and financial matters.  In Relationships students learn about healthy and unhealthy relationships.  They also receive Relationship and Sex Education with a strong emphasis on the meaning of consent, as well as where to turn to for support.  The lessons and content in PSHE are always age-appropriate.

SMSC is also taught during one form time session for all year groups.  SMSC is vital in preparing our students for life in modern Britain and encourages students to look beyond our own experiences and to understand difference in a positive light.  Our students learn about the different religions, cultures, communities and ideas which contribute to the rich diversity of the UK.  The SMSC curriculum is influenced strongly by the four Fundamental British Values (Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Respect and Tolerance) and the curriculum includes sessions on all these values.  It is worth noting that the SMSC curriculum is also a responsive curriculum; if something significant happens in the school community, locally, nationally or internationally, we will dedicate SMSC sessions to addressing this.