PSHE Policy

This policy applies to Senior School.

The policy relating to the Junior School and EYFS is linked here.

Stepping in: we aim for every girl to feel known, supported, confident and able to shine at Wimbledon High.

Wimbledon High School recognises the importance of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) in ensuring that our pupils are confident, happy and able to shine. PSHE is at the heart of our Pastoral Programme GROW and has been developed to support the development of the skills, attitudes, values and behaviour.

GROW is at the centre of everything we do. It is about us as individuals, what motivates us, how we interact with each other, and the world. It is also about us as a community, as year groups, and sections of our school. We look at your whole life, everything that represents you and makes you who you are. Whether that be your academic studies and interests, to hobbies and sports, your family and friends, all these go into your overall well-being.

The GROW Programme has many different facets, and you will see and experience it in form time, on Wednesdays during P5, in assemblies, and after school. GROW has five strategic themes that run through everything we do:

• Intellectual resilience is crucial to tackling the huge questions that we face. Having an open mind, and being able to articulate what you think has always been important. In a polarised world, however, knowing what you think is not enough. Being able to stand your ground, while also actively listening to others' opinions is key. If you have already decided the answer, did you come with an open mind to the question?
• Stepping in is a process that does not simply end at the end of the first week of September in Year 7. It is a philosophy that incorporates elements of Positive Psychology and explores our engagement, purpose, optimism, connectedness and happiness. Knowing ourselves and feeling known is the foundation stone of pastoral care.
• Relationships & Sex Education provides you with knowledge, understanding, skills, and values to develop healthy relationships, make informed decisions, and, as you get older, navigate sexuality responsibly. There has never been a more important time for girls and young women to understand their bodies, their rights, and how to protect them, so accurate and age-appropriate information about consent, personal boundaries, sexual diversity, contraception and sexual behaviour will be provided.
• Futures aims to ensure every student at Wimbledon High School can not only follow their dreams but live in a place where they are equipped with the tools, skills, and knowledge, to make their dreams become a reality. Futures is not only about aspiration but about practical knowledge of how the world outside our own ‘bubble’ works. You will work on employability, enterprise, motivation, and leadership, to ensure that you leave WHS fully equipped for the adventure ahead.
• Inclusion is not just demonstrated by special weeks or months, assemblies, or social media. An inclusive community has an intangible feel that is created when every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or abilities, is valued and respected. At Wimbledon High we celebrate the tapestry of the United Kingdom and the strength engendered by difference. We aim for our community to be a safe and welcoming environment for our students and staff, where every voice is heard, protected, and celebrated.

The GROW (PSHE & RSE) Programme works to include within it the Promotion of British Values and Prevention of Radicalisation Policy. The programme and approach aims to encourage respect for other people, with particular regard to the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, in an age appropriate way, and will cover topics such as Marriage and civil partnership, maternity, gender and sexual orientation as girls go up through the school. 

Wimbledon High School acknowledges that GROW (PSHE) is something that should run throughout the school and that learning in other relevant subjects should complement the GROW programme. 

 Furthermore this policy complements the following: 

• Safeguarding and Child protection 
• Drug education and the management of drug-related incidents 
• Healthy eating 
• Anti-bullying 
• Equal opportunities 
• Health and safety 
• Sex and relationships education 
• Prevent 
• Fundamental British Values

Wimbledon High School also recognises the vital importance that PSHE plays in avoiding child on child abuse and ensuring all children are safe and know how to keep themselves safe, as well as promoting the economic well-being of pupils. 

Key principles and Teaching Methodology

We seek to provide a clear framework within which professional colleagues can work. The GROW (PSHE) programme will be taught through a range of teaching methods and will be taught in the following manner:

• Years 7 through 13 have weekly, 45 minute, timetabled sessions
• Each Year Group also has form sessions, whole school, year group and house assemblies which connect to the GROW (PSHE) Programme. 

GROW sessions are led by in-house staff, Heads, and Assistant Heads, of Year and high quality external agencies & speakers.  

We will use a wide range of visitors and external agencies to bring a level of expertise or personal story to enrich student’s learning. However, the teacher should always manage this learning, ensuring that learning objectives and outcomes have been agreed in advance, and any input from visitors should be part of a planned, developmental programme rather than a substitute for it. Teachers should always be present to manage the learning. We also believe in ensuring a wide range of viewpoints, as age appropriate, are represented by our visiting speakers. 

Responsibility for teaching the programme

Wimbledon High School's programme is lead by our GROW Co-ordinator who in turn works with the Pastoral Leadership Team, Assistant Head Pastoral & Inclusion and Senior Deputy Head, who are responsible for the overall running of the GROW Programme. 

Review & consultation

We believe that consultation and involvement of students in GROW is crucial if teaching is to meet their needs and address the issues they are facing. Without such engagement, teachers are left to 'guess' what is needed. Involvement of students also means that teachers can learn what students think of what is currently being taught. 

The GROW Co-Ordinator seeks regular feedback from student on the programme. The Pastoral Leadership Team run annual surveys to ensure that key strategic themes are updated and reflect the needs to students and families. Feedback is sought from students to assess the areas of development within the scheme of work for each year group. 

Inclusion & adaptive teaching

We will ensure that all students have equal access to our GROW (PSHE & RSE) Programme. We recognise and respect students’ different abilities, levels of maturity and personal circumstances, and encourage them to recognise those of other people; for example sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, race or culture (which may, depending on their age and maturity, not be something they have yet considered or may be ‘emerging’) or the sexual orientation, gender identity, faith or culture of their family, friends and wider community. 

 As far as is appropriate, students with Neurodiversity requirements should follow the same GROW programme as all other students. Careful consideration will be given concerning the level of differentiation needed, and in some cases the content or delivery will have to be adapted.