PSHE & Wellbeing

Our Approach

Public Health England’s Evidence shows a link between student’s health and wellbeing and attainment. The 2014 briefing shows that students with better health and wellbeing are likely to achieve better academically and are more likely to have effective social-emotional competencies. The culture, ethos and environment of a school influence the health and wellbeing of pupils and their readiness to learn, a positive association exists between academic attainment and physical activity levels of students.

Our vision is to provide a supportive learning environment which promotes student’s social-emotional development, prevents development of mental health challenges, and addresses social-emotional problems that currently exist.

We will do this by supporting staff training and wellbeing; by implementing effective strategies to children, families, and staff; by facilitating mental health services for students who need them; and by continuing to develop ways that enable staff and students to gain a greater positive health and wellbeing in order to benefit their everyday life and lead to their better academic achievement.

Moor End Academy will adopt a whole school approach to emotional and mental well-being that joins together, parents, students and staff in an open door policy so that all feel empowered to talk about emotional and mental well-being.

Moor End Academy takes a proactive approach to protecting and promoting positive mental and emotional well-being through health promotion and support available in our school. We embed positive emotional health throughout our curriculum ensuring that support structures are in place through a strong pastoral team. Students with SEND are supported throughout their time at Moor End Academy as designated staff work with these students to provide comprehensive support.

Our Curriculum

Moor End Academy’s PSHE curriculum is a planned programme of learning which helps students to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. From making responsible decisions about alcohol to succeeding in their first job, PSHE helps pupils to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up. We believe that students should be given opportunities to co-construct our PSHE programme in order for the activities and topics to be more engaging and student friendly. We also welcome a partnership between home and school which helps support your child’s personal and social development, and helps deal with issues of increasing complexity such as those related to mental health and staying safe, both online and offline.

Key Stage 3 Programme

The year 7 programme is designed to support the transition into Key Stage 3 and to help your child settle into life at Moor End Academy.

Throughout the year, students learn about valuing difference, respect for self, respect for the rights and dignity of all persons, and respect for the environment around them.

The programme also looks at keeping safe. This includes sessions around mental health, online safety and healthy lifestyles – including the dangers of drugs, alcohol, smoking and unhealthy eating. Year 7 are also involved in sessions around growing up and puberty. This is a time when young people come under new pressures and changes. Therefore we ensure that all students understand the changes occurring and provide information and approaches to help them deal with them in a sensitive way.

The year 8 programme builds on the knowledge students have gained in year 7 and looks at topics such as peer pressure, discrimination, relationships, sex, healthy behaviours, emotional health and personal safety. Relationship and Sex education (RSE) is approached within a broader base of self-esteem and responsibility for the consequences of one’s actions. This will support your child to respect themselves and others, and understand difference. Students learn about the significance of stable relationships as key building blocks of community and society.

The year 9 PSHE programme focuses on topics such as relationships and sex, impact of the media, drugs and the law. The topics covered help students to recognise when they and others are at risk and equips them with the skills, strategies and language they need to take appropriate action.

Key Stage 4 Programme

At Key Stage 4, students extend and rehearse the skills, further explore attitudes and values, and deepen knowledge and understanding acquired during Key Stage 3. The programme reflects the fact that learners are moving towards an independent role in adult life, taking on greater responsibility for themselves and others.

We focus on healthy relationships and healthy behaviour in relationships, the impact of alcohol and drugs on relationships and the importance of self-care. Students will know more about early warning signs of poor health and how they can become the experts of their own body and the need to speak to health professionals about any concerns.  

By the end of KS4 at Moor End Academy, pupils will know:

• How to talk about their emotions accurately and sensitively, using appropriate vocabulary.
• That happiness is linked to being connected to others.
• How to recognise the early signs of mental wellbeing concerns.
• Common types of mental ill health, e.g. anxiety and depression.
• How to critically evaluate when something they do or are involved in has a positive or negative effect on their own or others’ mental health.
• The benefits and importance of physical exercise, time outdoors, community participation and voluntary and service-based activities on mental wellbeing and happiness.

Example Assemblies