Personal and Social Development (PSD)

‘Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a school subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future.’ PSHE Association, 2019

‘We may have different religions, different languages, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race. We all share the same basic values.’ Kofi Annan

‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is a drop in the ocean. But the ocean will be less because of that missing drop.’
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

PSD Mission Statement

PSD fosters confidence and equips pupils with the skills to independently make safe, moral and ethical decisions – thus preparing pupils for the wider world beyond Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Vision and Intent

In Personal Social Development (PSD) we teach our pupils to be curious and active. Through PSD, pupils can gain a deeper knowledge on living in the wider world and are able to articulate their views on controversial issues in an eloquent manner. We teach that all opinions are to be respected, in line with the Equality Act 2010, even if they differ from our own. PSD is a subject where pupils are given a platform to think critically, and listen to other people’s views, on topics where they may not have the opportunity to do so at home.

Through discussing these topics in a safe environment, alongside developing their Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills in lesson; we are giving pupils the tools to confidently engage in new and different content in other subjects, and outside their social bubble when they leave Holy Trinity Catholic School.

Implementation – Delivery of PSD

In PSD at Key Stage 3 we aim to:

Build on the knowledge and understanding, skills, attributes and values pupils have acquired and developed during the primary phase.
Address the changes that young people experience, beginning with transition to secondary school, the challenges of adolescence and their increasing independence.
Teach the knowledge and skills based on the Personal Learning and Thinking Skills which will equip them for the opportunities and challenges of life.
Pupils will learn to manage diverse relationships, their online lives, and the increasing influence of peers and the media through age appropriate resources and discussion.

PSHE Association (2020). Programme of Study for PSHE Education Key Stages 1-5. Available at: PSHE Association Programme of Study for PSHE Education (Key stages 1–5), Jan 2020_1.pdf (pshe-association.org.uk) (Accessed: 30/07/2021)

In PSD at Key Stage 4 we aim to:

Deepen knowledge and understanding, extend and rehearse skills, and further explore attitudes, values and attributes acquired during Key Stage 3.
Reflect on the fact that students are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.
Use age appropriate material that will prepare pupils for the next stage in their life journey.

Impact – End result

Throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils will be developing the following Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills:

Reflective learning
Independent Enquiring
Team working
Self-managing
Critical thinking
Creative thinking

These skills have been chosen as Year 8 pupils completed the Next Generation Project in June 2021 and we found that pupils were less confident with independent enquiry and critical thinking. As a result, we wanted to hone in on these skills as they are vital for any profession or further education beyond Holy Trinity Catholic School.

The impact of PSD is that pupils will develop their curiosity by being exposed to different views on living in the wider world, health and well-being and relationship topics – as divided by the PSHE Association. From this, pupils are able to critically analyse different views, confront stigmas, challenge preconceived ideas and independently research different and new concepts to become more informed on their reasons behind their view.

We encourage pupils to be active in PSD by developing an awareness on worldwide issues such as county lines, body image and online radicalisation. Throughout PSD there is a key focus on Language for Learning through oracy. We encourage pupils to use standard English and academic code when verbally delivering their opinion, so they have the confidence to actively make a change outside the classroom from a local, national or global level. Ultimately PSD is inspiring pupils to actively make a change within society.

Staff:

Ms Hodson– SLT link for Personal and Social Development

Mrs R Wragg- Head of Citizen Development

Mr P McCann

Miss K D’Angelo

Miss C French

Mr J Bennett

Mrs J Daw

Mr A Jambor

Mrs S Chesterman

Mrs C McDonagh

Mrs C Nicholls