Skip to navigation links

Personal, social and health education

About PSHE

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) has been a non-statutory part of the National Curriculum since September 2000. It is structured to provide pupils with learning opportunities through which they can be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding to take responsibility for themselves, show respect for others and to develop the self awareness and confidence needed for life. Effective PSHE teaching in schools will support parents in helping their children to develop the ability to make informed, healthy and responsible decisions about their lives.
 
PSHE is taught throughout all four Key Stages (ages 5-16) and covers a wide range of learning opportunities that reflect the needs of young people in their personal and social development. These cover:

  • sex and relationship education; drug, alcohol and tobacco education
  • improving confidence to lead a healthy and safe lifestyle
  • managing personal money
  • careers education 

Schools take responsibility for the choice of resources and teaching strategies for the delivery of PSHE which are appropriate for the age range and cultural identity of their pupils. There are specific statutory requirements for sex and relationship education (SRE), drug education, and careers education and guidance. All schools should have policies on SRE and drug education (including drug related incidents) developed in consultation with teachers, parents, governors and the wider school community. In primary schools the teaching of SRE is discretionary, but where taught the policy must detail the content and organisation. Secondary schools must have an SRE programme which includes teaching about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Parents have the right to withdraw pupils from part or all of SRE, except for those elements which are included in National Curriculum science.
 
Further information can be obtained from the websites found below.

Related Links:

Citizenship education

In September 2002, citizenship education became a statutory part of the National Curriculum in secondary schools. This will ensure that all students:

  • know their rights and responsibilities
  • analyse and discuss significant issues 
  • develop an understanding of how society works
  • have an opportunity to play an active role in society and make a difference

This brings England in line with almost every country in Europe and many others across the world where citizenship education is already part of the curriculum. Schools can consider a number of ways of providing citizenship which may include a combination of discrete provision for citizenship; explicit opportunities in a range of other curriculum subjects; whole school and suspended timetable activities; and the pupil's involvement in the life of the school and the wider community.

Citizenship is part of a non-statutory framework for PSHE and Citizenship at Key Stages 1 and 2, building on the requirements of the foundation stage. There are also development projects underway at post-16 level.

Citizenship education is about helping young people understand the rights and responsibilities they have as members of society. It provides important opportunities for pupils to develop understandings about their world and gain confidence in skills such as learning to think and discuss.  

Schools will have to assess pupils attainment in citizenship education at key stage 3 from Summer 2004. Assessment at key stage 4 is not statutory. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have published guidance on assessment. Ofsted will inspect citizenship as they do other National Curriculum subjects and have posted the inspection guidance for citizenship on their website.

The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), Edexcel and Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR) have developed a GCSE Short Course in Citizenship Studies in order for young people to be able to achieve a recognised qualification and a breadth of study.

To find out more information about Citizenship education you may find it useful to see the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) citizenship website.

For more information about PSHE and Citizenship in the National Curriculum see the National Curriculum online.

Related Links:

Back to top