PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)

PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)

Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) can mean all things to all people, but in a positive way. It enables schools to analyse what they offer to students and to use PSHE programmes to provide the final rounded curriculum. This is not easy as PSHE is not so much a ‘subject’ as a group of learning experiences that need careful binding together lest they become amorphous.

PSHE at its best brings emotional literacy, social skills and healthy attitudes to the core studies of the history, economic state and social make-up of the local and wider community

Ofsted has praised some schools’ multi-faceted approaches to creating a caring and coherent school and reaching out to the local communities, and some schools for delivering sex and relations programmes effectively, and some for their commitment to equality and diversity. Visits and activities outside the classroom can act not only as focal points for a school’s work but as catalysts to reinforce the messages contained in the courses.

In some ways it does not matter where the visit is to. The importance is how well they are planned, the matching of the experiences to the aim, and the enthusiasm staff and students bring to it.

So, typically learning for PSHE takes place whilst undertaking other activities. Here we list a range of ideas which the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom suggest as activities which can engender excellent experiences to benefit students in this area.

Attitudes and values

  • Talking about an object in a museum, or visiting a place of worship can give insight into issues, other cultures or periods of history.
  • Creating your own work of art can give rise to explorations and understandings about the world and our place in it
  • A visit to a farm can stimulate debate about animal husbandry and food production, and provide a context for designing a Fairtrade enterprise.
  • Adventure education can provide opportunities to show different skills, such as leadership or teamwork.
  • Seeing a play on the stage can bring a text alive and stimulate conversations about the values and actions of the characters.
  • A residential can provide a different setting for conversations about what we believe and what we think is important.

Confidence and resilience

  • Learning a new skill, such as map-reading or how to look at a painting, builds independence and confidence.
  • Adventure education enables young people to test themselves in various ways and develop new aptitudes and dispositions.
  • For young people with disabilities, a residential trip can foster independence and give them a rare opportunity to build close relationships outside the family.
  • Planning their own experience or activity helps young people to gain confidence in a wide range of project planning skills.  It can develop resilience in dealing with conflicting opinions, and in finding solutions to project challenges.

Communication and social skills

  • A drama workshop requires teamwork and helps, to strengthen friendship groups.
  • A residential experience enables staff to get to know young people, and young people get to know each other, discovering different aspects of each others’ personalities.
  • An experience, such as visiting a power station, stimulates discussion and encourages young people to share ideas and opinions.
  • A musical performance gives young people a feeling of achievement and a sense of personal success.
  • Young people planning their own programme or activities gives them voice and choice and ensures their active involvement.
  • Undertaking voluntary work in the community gives young people a sense of making a positive contribution.

Knowledge of the world beyond the classroom

  • Young people who live in the country may encounter a town or city for the first time or vice versa.
  • Environmentalists, town planners, artists, curators, scientists, politicians, musicians, dancers and actors can all act as new and powerful role models.
  • Going to an arts venue can encourage young people to try the experience again.
  • Recording the reminiscences of older people gives young people new insight into their community, and brings historical events alive.
  • Going to a local civic institution like a town hall builds knowledge of how communities function.
  • A school or youth council enables young people to learn about and participate in democratic processes
  • Visiting the library enables young people to find out what they have to offer – apart from lending books.
  • Children and young people with profound learning difficulties and disabilities may not often experience visits to galleries, concerts or the countryside because of the difficulties of transport and personal care which parents have to consider and cannot always manage alone. Educational visits may provide the only means for these young people to have such experiences.

Physical development and well-being

  • Visiting a park, field studies centre or making a school garden all provide physical activity and develop an interest in the environment.
  • Participating in recreational activities help to develop physical well-being and the growth of confidence.
  • Many learning outside the classroom activities can also provide attractive alternatives to competitive sports and can lead to a lifelong interest in healthy physical recreation.

Emotional spiritual and moral development

  • An integrated dance workshop with able bodied and disabled participants can help young people empathise and develop awareness of disability.
  • Activities in the natural environment can encourage a feeling of awe and wonder, and an appreciation of silence and solitude.
  • Visiting a place of worship develops an understanding of religion, reflection and spirituality.
  • Engaging with young people in conversations about values and beliefs, right and wrong, good and bad supports their moral development.

Main organisations:

PSHE Association

National Centre for Citizenship and the Law

Inclusion: NASEN

Venues for this Curriculum

Fire your imagination with our fun attractions.

Every corner of Bury St Edmunds Kids Play is bursting with play.

What will you do first?

  • Brave the speedy drop slide
  • Spin, spin, spin on tyre swings
  • Aim and shoot our fun ball canons
  • Scale the Tangle Tower
  • Test out our bouncy trampoline
  • Plus light snacks

Learn about the history of the Northamptonshire Regiment & Yeomanry and about how we used to live. Discover historic and contemporary leather design.

You can find us in Abington Park.

A gallery of rogues and rascals, wizards, witches and wild things unfolds throughout the atmospheric spaces of The Story Museum in our immersive exhibition '26 Characters'.

Sail to a tropical island, walk through the wardrobe into Narnia, listen to stories, dress up and meet a talking throne. Exhibition runs until November 2014

The region's second largest park features an adventure playground, football pitches, permit fishing and pleasure craft is for hire.

More than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space

Beacon Park is set in more than 70 acres of beautiful gardens and open space.

Museum Gardens is the formal part of the park. With its stunning floral displays and avenue of trees, along with the centrepiece fountain, statues of Captain Smith of the Titanic, King Edward VII, and Erasmus Darwin, it is a must-see on your visit.

An indoor pottery studio where you learn how to make things from clay. Try the art of the potterâs wheel. Model your favourite animal or figure. Create a mug, bowl or vase. 100âs of exciting projects and pottery making techniques. Creative, fun and suitable for all ages and abilities.

Educational projects for schools and early years are also available.
 

Indoor play at it's best with great range of equipment including multi level play frame, other soft play areas, quiet room with library, arts an crafts room, bouncy bus and plenty more supported by outstanding facilities.

Liz Monk Studio Pottery & Gallery is situated on a picturesque traditional farm courtyard, set in the north Worcestershire countryside. Manor Farm is a working farm, where the Monk family have lived and made their livelihood for the past 35 years.

An unforgettable day of fun, action, new experiences and a bit of learning for families with children up to the age of 12 in a lovely, safe and happy environment. Lots of indoor activities, a daily programme of shows and different seasonal events whenever the kids are on holiday – from Easter Eggstravaganza through to Winter Wonderland.

What's on offer?

The centre houses a wide variety of animals including: 

  • exotic birds

  • mammals including meerkats, porcupine, prairie dogs and mara

  • domestic species including rabbits, chickens and kune kune pigs 

The centre is a small award winning zoo.

Newham City Farm is one of London's longest established, as well as one of its largest city farms.

They are home to an extensive range of farmyard favourites and rare breeds – from a huge Shire Horse to tiny birds as well as cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, rabbits, fish, a peacock and even a harris hawk.

Winner of the “Farm Park of the Year 2013” by the National Farm Attractions Network.

Meet plenty of furry friends, enjoy Animal Activities and Demonstrations and discover the Giant Indoor Playbarn! Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's stacks of animal fun and indoor play at Odds Farm Park.

A variety of interesting farm zoo animals which originate from across the world including camels, adventure playground, plus let the kids pick their own fruits and vegetables.

An enchanting and magical world that is based on the Chronicles of Wizard’s Thatch. Home to a School of Magic, an alley full of magical shops, plus a number of other exciting streets and alleys to explore.

A lovely park that is free to visit and has plenty to keep everyone amused, including children’s play area, skate park, a bandstand, boat trips on the river, and water play fountains!

Milk a cow by hand; take part in their Animal Feeding Tour; watch the machine milking; Visit Mini Farm World, Pets' Corner and the Play Area; follow the Farm Trail; take a trailer ride around the farm; and admire the panoramic views across four counties!

Glenariff Forest Park is one of the 9 Antrim Glens, and has over 1,000 hectares to explore, half of which is full of trees, the other a mix of small lakes, open spaces, lakes and waterfalls. Several trails to follow, including the Waterfall Walkway. 

The Look Out Discovery Centre has over 90 exhibits suitable for children of all ages. Toddlers and younger children love the indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area. Older children through to adults will be fascinated by the hands-on science exhibits and puzzles.

The healthy working Pink Pig Farm welcomes families for the full farm to fork experience (if you can handle it that candidly!) with happy animals to visit both in the paddocks and the Charcuterie!

The indoor Play Barn features oodles of soft play facilities, giant lego plus play kitchens, excellent for keeping damp smalls busy tip the rain clears up!

Deen City Farm is a unique, educational resource in SW London, open free of charge.

Our aim is to give people the opportunity to learn from their visit and contribution to a Working Farm.

The Farm is based on National Trust land (part of the Morden Hall Park Estate) and you can reach the Farm after a pleasant stroll from Morden across Morden Hall Park.

Welcome to our Wonderful World

BeWILDerwood is 50 acres of wild, outdoor treehouse adventure park. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, boat trips, marsh walks and adventure!

BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and a hint of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads.

Once the grandest and most striking house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe's 18th century baroque elegance is still notable today in the partly restored shell of the building. Admire the delightful east front and stroll peacefully through 'Capability' Brown's idyllic ornamental 11 acres of grounds. Treat yourself in our well stocked and attractive souvenir shop.

Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house

Lose yourself in this romantic moated manor house, described by David Starkey as 'one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses'.

Built nearly 700 years ago, this house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.

This magnificent Norman Cathedral with its sense of awe and wonder is the perfect environment to support work in all areas of the National Curriculum and agreed Religious Education syllabus. Along with Durham Castle the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Commandery has exciting stories to tell you about power, greed, war, wealth, romance, death, society and industry.

Step back in time to catch a glimpse of the lively characters that have inhabited this ancient building during the past seven centuries.

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