Aims of the Subject
Newcastle School for Boys recognises the value of Personal and Social Education and the important contribution it can make by providing all pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. PSE helps to give pupils the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives and to become informed, active responsible citizens.
Content
The themes developed over three years are ‘New Beginnings’, ‘Getting On and Falling Out’, ‘Say No to Bullying’, ‘Going for Goals’, ‘Good to Me’, ‘Relationships’ and ‘Changes’. The last unit prepares boys for entry into the Senior School where SEAL is used.
Newcastle School for Boys acknowledges the importance of the academic development of a pupil as a major aim. However, education in is widest sense is about the development of the whole person. Our PSE policy promotes that development in a way that enables every pupil to succeed.
Methods of Assessment
There will be no formal assessment of pupils written work in PSE. IT is important that pupils come to understand that any contribution made to a lesson either in writing or orally is valued and that there is no such thing as a right answer. Form teachers will be made aware of pupil progress as measured by their willingness to contribute to lessons, their fluency in presenting opinions and their behaviour towards others in the group. Form teachers will then use that information when drawing up their reports to parents if they feel it is appropriate.
Teaching Time
The Junior School has adopted the respected SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) programme. Its units are taught throughout the school year and the time allotted amounts to one period a week. However, many aspects of SEAL are further developed in other subjects such as English, Drama and Art. The SEAL programme also gives many examples of ways to broaden different units through the curriculum.
Emphasis on Boys Learning
Boys will be taught in teaching styles and approaches that are appropriate to boys learning. Lessons will be more interactive and interpersonal in content. During PSE pupils will learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals with their own experiences and ideas and as members of their communities. They will be helped to become more mature, independent, self-confident, with a sense of social justice and moral responsibility. They will be encouraged to take part more fully in school and community activities and will learn more about the wider world and interdependence of communities within it. They will be encouraged to make confident informed decisions about their health and environment. They will be encouraged to take more responsibility for their own learning.
Continuity
Clear aims and objectives throughout years 3, 4 & 5 promote a growing a awareness of personal development and self-esteem.
Planning for the Subject
Planning for the subject within the SEAL programme allows for detailed schemes of work which encourage the active involvement of pupils.
Cross Curricular Links
There are cross curricular links throughout Years 3, 4 & 5, where social and emotional aspects of relationships and behaviour are picked up and extended in English, Drama, Art, Music and other subjects where appropriate.
Gifted & Talented and Support for Learning
Great care is taken to ensure that the subject takes account of the strengths and interests of the pupils. Suitable learning challenges will be provided for all pupils to achieve as high a standard as possible and progress more rapidly. Other pupils may need more guided focussed tasks to achieve the demands of learning objectives.