Our PSHCE Programme
The aims of the PSHCE programme at RGS Worcester is to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, teamworking and critical thinking in the context of three core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships, and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education). A comprehensive programme is in place for each Year group making sure our young people are equipped to deal with life’s highs and lows.
We currently run a ‘drop-down’ programme where pupils come off timetable to take part in different sessions according to their Year group. This Tuesday was one of those days and there was a real buzz around the School as each pupil engaged with the challenges they were being set. I am always so impressed with the maturity and enthusiasm our pupils show, and the classroom discussions around the site were thought-provoking and insightful.
In Lower School, Year Seven tackled social media and how to stay safe particularly when faced with possible peer pressure. It was encouraging to see how knowledgeable students were around internet safety but the lesson learnt about how to manage relationships and social media was an important one. They then tackled a budgeting task run very much like the ‘Game of Life’. A greater understanding of life’s expenses was gained whilst also throwing some curveballs in such as being burgled!
Year Eight pupils were covering a wellbeing topic and looked closely at the effects of alcohol and smoking. The aim was to make sure they are fully aware of the dangers associated with drinking, smoking and vaping whilst also equipping them with the knowledge of how to be safe. One pupil commented that they feel much more empowered now that they know the facts.
In Year Nine the PSHCE session was a lesson on keeping healthy, looking at what affects our health and maintaining a healthy perspective on body shape. The pupils then looked at how democracy and the rule of law works, whilst trying to run their own desert island!
The topic for Year Ten was online pornography and the many myths, dangers and peer pressures associated with this very sensitive topic. Not always an easy topic for the pupils to discuss, nevertheless so important for our young people to understand this issue.
An environmental theme was explored by Year Eleven as they discussed why we need to be concerned about the planet while also considering the kind of things they, as teenagers, can do to help. Next, it was the topic of extremism, looking particularly at charismatic leaders and their influence on people. In the Sixth Form there was a mental health theme, firstly looking at online mental health and then relaxation techniques and how to improve and take care of our own mental health.
PSHCE is an integral part of the RGS curriculum and pastoral system which is regularly reviewed to make sure we are delivering current and useful content. We look forward to our next session in two weeks time.
Mrs Deborah Harkness, Head of Year Eight, Head of PSHCE
