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

Specialising in school visits, Great Cressingham offers school children the chance to experience a remarkably detailed recreation of a Victorian School. Wearing period clothing they’ll use slates and dip pens, learn by rote and sing accompanied by a harmonium.

Each year, several special open days offer the general public a chance to enjoy a similar ‘living history’ experience.

Great Torrington Heritage Museum and Archive now has a new home, 14, South Street and also the Grade 2* listed property, The Market House, which is just above the Pannier Market.

The Conduit House is part of the monastic waterworks which supplied nearby St Augustine's Abbey.

The remains of this medieval conduit house stand in King’s Park, Canterbury, on a steep west-facing hillside to the east of St Augustine’s Abbey, whose spring water supply it was built to protect.

Bethlem Royal Hospital was founded in 1247 and was the first institution in the UK to specialise in the care of the mentally ill. The hospital continues to provide in-patient care as part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and has been based since 1930 in the outer London suburbs.

Get the complete Harry Potter Experience at the Studio Tour. Go behind the scenes of the Harry Potter film series, located at the Studios where it all began. Step on to authentic sets and relive the magic through the eyes of the filmmakers who brought the Harry Potter film series to life.

Harrogate has been hosting business and corporate events for more than 100 years, starting in The Royal Hall before the main exhibition halls were built. Ever the gracious host, Harrogate is one of the best places in the UK to come to as a business visitor.

Discover one of England's most complete and unusual keeps as you explore every nook and cranny of this 12th century military stronghold, built by Henry II.

Lose yourself in this 800-year-old warren of passageways and secret chambers.

Once a symbol of royal power, this grand residence became home to coastal defences during the Second World War in its life as a radar station.

The Northern Ireland Assembly, also known as Stormont, is the home of democracy in Northern Ireland.

Comprehensive Dry ski and snowboard facilities with lessons pre-bookable. Kids welcome.

From ski and snowboard lessons available to suit all levels (pre-booking essential), to the great race team and the freestyle team. You can also tube and bumboard.

Dynasty Death and Discovery

More than 500 years after the death of the last English king to die in battle, the story of one of history’s most controversial monarchs has been brought to life once again in a stunning new visitor centre.

Outstanding 14th-century manor house and 18th-century terraced garden

Home to the lords of the manor of Clevedon for centuries, the core of the house is a remarkable survival from the medieval period.

The house was purchased by Abraham Elton in 1709 and it is still the much-loved family home of his descendants today.

Explore the striking display of Eltonware pottery and a fascinating collection of Nailsea glass.

Sixways Stadium is unlike any other development in the UK. A truly inspirational multi-purpose venue which is used 24/7, 365 days of the year. Home to both Worcester Warriors and Sixways Events, the amazing 65-acre complex is now one of the country's most exciting, dynamic and versatile venues.

Looking for a fun and interesting way to explore Robin Hood country? Don't just wander around aimlessly, do a Treasure Trail! These fun Trails show you the most interesting, historical and scenic locations. Enjoy a fun walk in the fresh air and solve the clues along the way.

Robin Hood’s Major Oak Treasure Trail is a fantastic way to explore. 

The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) is ideally situated close to the beach and pier, gardens and town centre and boasts a 650-space 'Park Mark' Safer Parking Award pay and display car park.

The building has four halls ideal for various concerts, conferences and exhibitions, making it the largest venue in the southern region.

Outdoor Adventure is a small and personal residential outdoor activity centre in a stunning cliff-top location on the rugged North Cornish coast.

We have over 30 years experience in delivering high quality School Activity Trips, Family Activity Holidays and non-residential activities. Sole occupancy of our centre is also available.

The Worcester Treasure Trail is ideal for getting the kids out exploring whilst trying to solve a mystery treasure hunt.

The answers to the clues are located on existing monuments, buildings and structures: some are easy to find, some are a little bit trickier!

The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) is the perfect location for any event. It's superbly situated in Glasgow, Scotland's largest and most exciting city. The Centre provides a wide range of conference and exhibition facilities - all under one roof.

Situated at the heart of Scotland's elegant and historic capital city, the EICC is one of the world's outstanding venues for conferences, conventions and exhibitions.

Our purpose-built centre offers the very best in facilities and technology; and our experienced, enthusiastic team will help to ensure your event's success.

Colston Hall is Bristol’s largest concert hall, presenting concerts and entertainment by major names in rock, pop, jazz, folk, world and classical music, stand up comedy and light entertainment, as well as local choirs, orchestras and schools.

The Gallery is a modern exhibition space designed to display material from the most important galleries, museums and private collections in the country.

St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and is Wales's most popular heritage attraction. The museum stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle and gardens, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth.

We are an award-winning, purpose-built conference, arts and entertainment centre offering a variety of facilities including:

David Attenborough described the Museum as "A delightful and remarkable museum, a jewel."

The Museum stands in the heart of the town, just where the beautiful coastlines of Dorset and Devon meet. The building has great idiosyncratic charm. Built in 1900-01 by Thomas Philpot, it was restored and extended in 1991.

Swashbuckling fun for everyone! Treat the family to something different at our 18 hole Adventure Golf course, festooned with obstacles, including a huge pirate ship, lakes, waterfalls, rafts, cannons and even our resident crocodile!

Enjoy a bite to eat afterwards at The Clubhouse at Abbey Hill.

An imposing 18th century building set in 180 acres of grounds that were landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown. Hall open for events and exhibitions during spring and summer. The parkland is open throughout the year and free to visit.

Himley Hall and Park is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year, with stunning grounds where there is always something to see and enjoy.

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