The National Governance Association and the PSHE Association have today published guidance to support discussions between governing boards and leaders in schools and trusts, about making PSHE education a fundamental part of their curriculum.The guidance highlights the crucial link between PSHE education and safeguarding in schools and the importance of meeting new statutory requirements to provide Relationships Education at key stages 1 and 2, Relationships and Sex Education at key stages 3 and 4, and Health Education across all key stages.The guidance also outlines ways in which governing boards can raise the status of PSHE education and increase its impact. This includes having a clear vision, developing bespoke policies and investing resources in CPD, so that teachers can confidently communicate important messages about health and wellbeing, relationships, economic wellbeing and careers. Links are included to relevant resources along with examples of questions that governors and trustees might ask about PSHE education.
Commenting on the new guidance Steve Edmonds said:
“NGA thinks that education serves a range of purposes: Governors and trustees, being volunteers who come from a wide range of backgrounds, are committed to ensuring good academic outcomes for children and young people in their schools, but they are also generally very interested in the ‘whole’ child and equipping him/her for life. We are pleased to publish this guidance alongside the PSHE Association, and we share their commitment to ensuring every pupil enjoys good PSHE education. Whilst recognising that instilling good values and responsible decision making is an issue that goes wider than schools, we want the guidance to put PSHE education at the forefront of board level discussions about the curriculum in their school or trust”
PSHE Association Chief Executive Jonathan Baggaley said:
“As the national body for PSHE education, we understand the crucial role that Governors and trustees can play in ensuring schools are safe places in which children and young people can thrive academically, emotionally and socially. PSHE education — including statutory relationships, sex and health education — is a vital part of schools’ approach to safeguarding, and ensuring all pupils have what they need to meet life’s challenges and make the most of opportunities. We are therefore delighted to work with NGA on this guidance and look forward to sharing it with our national membership of schools and teachers”