PSHE (Character Education)
One of our academy’s mantras is “Character is Key” and, as such, the development of good character is a key priority at HGA.
Studies show that schools which develop character help to drive equity and social mobility and help young people to be highly motivated, have good attendance and have lower levels of emotional distress.
Secondary School PSHE
The secondary school, our curriculum and education provision are underpinned by our core values of:
Respect
- Listen carefully, be polite, and value others' opinions.
- Keep spaces clean and follow instructions.
- Respect personal space, property, and represent the school well in the community.
Resilience
- Bounce back from setbacks with a positive attitude.
- Stay focused, manage your emotions, and handle challenges calmly.
- Make good choices, support others, and stand up for what is right
Rigour
- Do your best in all work; be punctual, prepared, and attentive.
- Complete tasks on time, manage your time well, and wear the correct uniform.
- Act responsibly and uphold school values everywhere.
These core values are explicitly taught through weekly character lessons in KS3 and through tutor time for KS4 and KS5. Our core values also underpin our behaviour and rewards policies, so that students are helped to connect these to demonstratable behaviours.
Our character curriculum also encompasses our PSHE provision which ensures that we meet the statutory requirements for RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) and Health Education.
HGA have partnered up with Wellio, an online platform for PSHE, to create a bespoke character programme for students in Years 7-11 which is highly interactive and regularly updated to ensure that content reflects what is current.
Our character map for Years 7-13 can be downloaded as a pdf HERE.
Our RSE policy can be found on our Teaching & Learning page.
In the secondary school, we also have our Character Charter which aims to ensure students’ character is developed in line with clearly defined milestones or experiences. The charter is broken into 5 pillars:
- Health and wellbeing
- Character and Culture
- Citizenship
- Aspiration
- Scholarship
The charter is mapped below:
Each term, our delivery of the charter is carefully mapped as can be seen below for term 1a.
Sixth Form PHSE
In Sixth Form our students begin to make the transition from children to young adults and thus our curriculum for PSCHE is designed to support them as they navigate these changes. The curriculum has been shaped by the PSHE Association guidelines as well as emerging needs amongst our students. This ensures they receive a holistic and bespoke provision.
The table below shows the PSCHE content taught each half term to our post-16 students. Students receive one session per work during tutor time. At the end of each half term, students complete a quiz on the content covered to enable us to run booster sessions on specific topics.
|
Term |
Year 12 |
Year 13 |
|
Autumn 1 |
Healthy Body and Healthy Minds
|
Wellbeing and RSE Personal Safety and Managing Risk
Healthy Body and Healthy Minds
|
|
Autumn 2 |
Wellbeing and RSE Mature and Healthy Relationships Personal Safety in Relationships Relationship Challenges Communication in Relationships |
Citizenship Personal Values Challenging Prejudice and Discrimination Promoting Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Extremism and Radicalisation
|
|
Spring 1 |
Wellbeing and RSE Consent Abuse and Exploitation Harassment, Online Stalking and Violence Exit Strategies and Personal Safety |
Healthy Body and Healthy Minds Healthy Diet Post-18 Life: Preparing for University Student Life |
|
Spring 2 |
Wellbeing and RSE Healthy Relationships Contraception Unplanned Pregnancy |
Wellbeing and RSE Sex and Consent Contraception STIs Night Out Safety Dating App Safety |
|
Summer 1 |
Citizenship Budgeting and Financial Risk |
Healthy Body and Healthy Minds Coping with stress Healthy and Effective Exam Preparation Managing Personal and External Expectations Final Steps: Beginning Exam Season |
|
Summer 2 |
Citizenship Positive Professional Identity Digital Footprint and Social Media Personal Privacy |
|
The session taught are designed to create a safe environment which promotes discussion and allows for students to confidently raise issues as well as ask questions.
In addition to our PSCHE tutor sessions, we also invite external organisations to speak to our students. Previously the DISCOVER program and Bold Voices have run workshops with our students on mental health and consent respectively.
Primary character traits
In the primary phase of Harris Garrard, the children are taught the foundations of the character traits which they will continue to develop in the secondary phase. These character traits are types of behaviour and understanding that we want every child to develop during their time with us in Harris Garrard.
Resilience. This means that we expect you to bounce back when you find something tricky. In the primary phase, we see a "fail" as a "first attempt in learning". We encourage you to not give up but to keep trying to find out a solution to the challenges you face. Never, ever give up but search for a better solution. This forms the foundations for Determined Resilience which you will continue to develop when you join the secondary phase of our academy.
Respect. We expect you to show respect to each other by listening to what is said and to treat each other in a kind way. We talk to you about how you like to be treated and help you to treat others with this same respect and understanding. This means that we all talk in polite voices to each other, and that the adults model respect in their relationships with you and with each other. This forms the foundations of Emotional Capacity and Understanding which you will continue to develop when you join our secondary phase.
Collaboration and Cooperation. We know that when you play and learn together, the academy is harmonious. We provide you with lots of opportunities to learn how to listen to each other carefully, and to work as a team to solve challenges. These skills are crucial for you to learn as they will help you throughout your life. This forms the foundations of Moral Awareness and Tolerance which you will continue to develop when you are in our secondary phase.
Happy and Enthusiastic. We want the primary phase to be full of children who are happy and enthusiastic in their learning and play. This means that you will be able to make the best opportunity out of every experience we offer you. We know that this will help you to continue to focus in your learning and to be successful in your life. This forms the basis of fulfillment and enjoyment, which you will continue to develop when you are in the secondary phase.
Be Smart. We want you to "be smart" when you are in our phase of the academy. This means making good choices about your behaviour when you are walking around the academy. To show your "Harris Hands" and to be ready to learn in your full uniform. We know that when you show us "smart" you are focused and ready to learn. This forms the basis of the Aspirational Work Ethic which is further developed when you join the secondary phase.
