Personal, Social, Health and Economic 

What is PSHE?

As a part of your child’s education at William Hulme’s Grammar School, we promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education programme. PSHE education is the curriculum subject that gives young people the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy, productive lives and meet their full potential.

The curriculum is delivered one hour per fortnight by Form Tutors, covering a wide variety of topics, where British Values are embedded throughout. In the Sixth Form, students learn and reflect upon their personal learning styles – using metacognitive approaches to develop skills in having a visionary approach, applying appropriate effort, as well as putting into place the best systems and know how to appropriately practice skills. Assemblies, Form-time activities and guest speakers are linked to lesson topics to provide a holistic delivery.

Examples of content covered:

Health and Wellbeing

Pupils will cover a range of topics around physical and mental health, such as:

• Mental wellbeing and mental illness
• Physical health, body image and personal hygiene
• Puberty and body changes
• Pregnancy and fertility
• First aid
• Self-esteem and success

Wider World

Topics covered will be focused around citizenship and understanding of British and wider society, such as:

• Human rights and British values
• Staying safe online and offline
• Crime and the law
• Personal finance
• Employability
• Study skills
• Women’s rights

Relationships and Sex Education

Students will learn about topics exploring different types of relationships, how to maintain positive ones and identify unhealthy relationships, such as:

• Friendships
• Family relationships and parenthood
• Romantic relationships
• Marriage
• Gender identity
• Consent and boundaries
• Dangers of pornography
• Contraception and STI’s*

Lesson topics vary with each Year Group for appropriateness of age. Lessons are delivered by Form Tutors.

* indicates content which can be opted out from should parents wish to have these discussions at home.

RSE is covered in age appropriate topics. Some lessons are supported or delivered by specialist professionals, such as our School Health Advisor, Mrs Angela Teeling or the Health Education Company, Brook. We use high-quality materials which are developed through Manchester Healthy Schools, in consultation with young people from a number of schools. Within these sessions, sex is always discussed in the context of a healthy and safe relationship.

PSHE also organises “drop down days” for all students, where they will get to explore topics in more detail. Such topics are focused around the school’s diversity and inclusion strategy and include a range of activities and guest speakers.

If you would like any further information about PSHE and the content covered please contact Miss Leather (Head of PSHE): rebecca.leather@whgs-academy.org