All pupils at Hall Mead study Personal & Social Education for one period a week. PSE is concerned with fundamental educational aims;

• To provide pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills to make informed and reasoned choices about their lives;
  
• To help pupils prepare for life in a changing society
  
• To prepare pupils for adult responsibilities;
  
• To promote positive attitudes towards cultural, ethnic and religious diversity and gender equality
  
• To encourage consideration and respect for others.
  

Year 7 pupils begin their course by compiling a guide to Hall Mead which soon introduces them to many aspects of the school. Their PSE tutor guides the children through the process of orientation, team building, target-setting, decision making, information gathering and ordering, presentation and evaluation which are involved in this and many other programmes of work in the curriculum.

Year 9 PSE tutors work closely with Form Tutors, particularly during the first two years. The content of the course includes health and personal development, international issues and personal safety. Such topics inform and advise, as well as providing a relevant context for the development of study skills and class discussion. These course elements are present throughout the whole school PSE programme.

In Year 9, PSE supports and informs the process subjects for GCSE courses in Years 10 & 11. This followed by similar support and induction to work experience in Year 10, and an informative Careers programme over Years 9,10, and 11. Religious Studies for Key Stage 4 students is delivered through the PSE programme in Years 10 & 11. Related topics covered in Years 9 to 11 include personal relationships health, citizenship, environmental education and units on practical economic awareness.

L. Maloney
Head of Personal and Socail Health Education