Senior PSHE – Spring Term

Author: Sam Hardcastle.
26th March 2024.

It has been another busy term for the PSHE department and it has been a joy to observe the teaching and learning that has taken place in lessons across all year groups. I am most proud of the fabulous discussions in classrooms, with pupils showing incredible sensitivity and empathy about highly-emotive subjects. It is through these vital lessons that pupils develop their understanding of the risks they may encounter and how they can safely and skilfully navigate their way through their lives.

As a department, we not only respond to the needs of our pupils through the pupil-voice platform but also to key societal issues. We have all seen the shocking statistics surrounding adolescent mental health with The Mental Health Foundation reporting that ‘20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year and 50% of these are established by the age of 14’. We also know that male suicide rates remain at a frighteningly high level and continue to account for three-quarters of all suicide deaths in the UK (ONS 2022). In reaction to comments that surfaced last week in the media about adult mental health, the mental health charity Mind reiterated its stance that the UK is in the grips of a mental health crisis and urgent support is needed for those who are struggling.

Additionally, violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains a key focus throughout society. A report released by the Domestic Homicide Project in March showed that for the first time ever, the number of victim suicides following domestic abuse is overtaking the number of partner homicides (approximately two women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner). These are all worrying figures for anyone raising or working with children.

In order to equip our pupils with the knowledge they need of the potential risks to themselves, their peers and their families, we use a spiral curriculum at Mayville. We revisit topics in different key stages and this allows us to build on the foundations we have laid in the lower years and to develop the depth and breadth of the material we use, as pupils progress through the school.

“

To me,
I don't say this enough, but I appreciate you.
You've had many challenges, but you have also had triumphs.
The good you have done matters – the big and the small.
You are capable. You deserve kindness.
I am grateful for you.
Love,
me."

Mind

This term, pupils in Year 7 (Remove) spent their lessons looking at healthy routines for wellbeing and how to promote their self-esteem. Year 8 (L4) explored mental health and body image and Year 9 (U4) discussed healthy lifestyles and the links between physical and mental wellbeing. Year 10 (L5) focussed on how they can safeguard their mental health, especially during periods of transition, as well as the challenges of intimate relationships. The topic for Year 11 (U5) was on safe, intimate relationships with a particular focus on how to recognise and seek support for relationship abuse. Whilst these are challenging subjects, they are essential if we want to help the pupils at Mayville to live safe and fulfilling lives.

Pupils in Year 9 (U4) have also been utilising the Morrisby: Careers Advice & Guidance Online Platform in their lessons, to investigate the potential educational and career opportunities available. This unit not only helps pupils think about the paths they may follow after Mayville but also assists them when making their GCSE option choices. Careers is an integral part of the PSHE curriculum and there are exciting plans afoot to develop more lessons and workshops for all years in the senior school when Mrs Vincent-Skinner takes over as the Careers Co-ordinator after Easter.

We have also had the pleasure of hosting workshops for Year 9 (U4) and we welcomed back the NHS nurses from Let’s Talk About It who discussed contraception and sexual health with the pupils.

Year 10 (L5) also participated in a mind map session delivered by returning speaker, Andy Hayward, from Revision Mentor, so they have some really valuable tools at their disposal to begin their revision for the end-of-year exams in May.

Looking ahead…

Finally, as we look ahead to the new term, we would like to share with you all the new topics that the pupils will be studying.

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