All schools are currently expected to provide Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. This expectation has been strengthened since Health Education and Relationships Education (primary)/Relationships and Sex Education (secondary) aspects of PSHE became compulsory in 2020.
Some secondary schools deliver PSHE in pastoral time whereas others have a weekly or a fortnightly timetabled curriculum slot. In primary schools, PSHE is likely to be taught by the class teacher. In secondaries, sometimes PSHE is taught by a subject specialist, but in many schools PSHE is taught by a form teacher or other non-specialist. Occasionally, police officers or health professionals are invited in to schools to deliver some elements of the PSHE curriculum. Not all teachers feel confident teaching PSHE as they believe they lack current subject knowledge; others worry about classroom management when discussing sensitive issues. Hopefully, schools have been able to access suitable resources which support the new statutory guidance, whether they are produced by a subject specialist within school or are purchased. Hodder Education have published a series entitled 'Explore PSHE' which meets the needs of the guidance and is sustainable, in that it should remain 'current' for a few years at least.
10 tips: delivering effective PSHE, whatever your subject knowledge or experience!
1. Once you know who is in your PSHE class, speak to pastoral leads so that you are aware of any issues with individual students. This will be easier, of course, if you are teaching PSHE to your own form class.
2. Know your school's safeguarding policy. Know who your Designated Safeguarding Lead is. Know how to report concerns.
3. If possible, be available at the end of class (door open etc) to listen to students who don't wish to speak in front of the class or (and hopefully this won't happen too often) have something to disclose. However, never promise confidentiality.
4. Have a Class Agreement from the first session. Students and adults need to create the Class Agreement together. This should be referred to every lesson and can be amended as necessary. The Class Agreement helps to ensure a positive and safe learning environment.
5. Double check that the topic and your resources are appropriate for the age and ability of your class.
6. Have a variety of activities ready: brainstorming, pair work, small group work, independent work... For PSHE, it's often better if students work with their friends.
7. Always build in time for reflection and feedback. Listen to what students have to say.
8. Try to finish the lesson on a positive. If you have discussed coercive and controlling relationships, for example, make sure you finish by talking about healthy relationships. For some topics, you might need to let students know where they could get further help and advice. You could have a list of 'help' websites displayed in the classroom which you could refer to and add to, as necessary.
9. Don't think you need to be an expert on all topics. Don't be afraid to tell students that you are not an expert on a particular subject. For instance, you are not expected to know the current street name of every illegal drug! However, do make sure you can signpost students to relevant sources of information that they can access themselves.
10. Build in ways to measure the impact of your PSHE sessions. This will help your future planning and will build your confidence.
