PSHE Subject Association response to Ofsted report

Time for Change? Personal, social and health education

Comments from the PSHE Subject Association on Ofsted’s recent report

Impact of national initiatives on increasing the quality of PSHE
The report rightly praises the role of the National Healthy Schools Programme  
in raising the quality of PSHE provision. We must also recognise the contribution of the National PSHE CPD programme entering its fifth phase in September 2007. These initiatives support the development of increased numbers of specialist teachers. The Ofsted report finds that ‘teaching by specialist teachers is better than that of non-specialist form tutors’.

The Healthy Schools and CPD programmes also support teachers in dealing with the sensitive issues the Ofsted report highlights. Whilst there are both national and local guidance documents available, teachers tell us it is access to training that makes the greatest impact on their confidence and competence. Teachers are more likely to access the training opportunities available where schools make PSHE a priority. The low status of PSHE in some schools makes it difficult for many teachers to be released for training.

Statutory status
88.6% of members of the PSHE subject association say that PSHE should be made statutory. This is not simply an issue of status. Teachers of a statutory subject are more likely to be released for training. Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of a statutory subject are more likely to receive attention. A change in status would, therefore, help to address many of the issues raised in this report.

Assessment
Members of the PSHE subject association agree that assessment is the weakest aspect of PSHE teaching. It is the aspect of teaching the subject they find most challenging. We recommend that schools, local authorities and other training providers ensure that PSHE has a focus in any assessment training.  PSHE should also be included in whole school policies for assessment.

The PSHE subject association will, in May 2007, publish on its website a resource to support teachers in developing assessment as part of teaching and learning in PSHE.

Identifying pupils needs
To support the Ofsted recommendation that young people should be more involved in considering how the PSHE curriculum might meet their needs best. The PSHE subject association will, during 2007-8, undertake a programme of research with children and young people to obtain their views on the PSHE curriculum and establish their perspective on effective practice.

The future for PSHE
The timing of the Ofsted report coincides with the consultation period on the QCA secondary curriculum review. Any future action will take place as the results of this review are implemented.

The three key national PSHE initiatives – the PSHE Subject Association, the National Healthy Schools Programme and the PSHE CPD Programme collectively have the potential to address the weaknesses highlighted in the report and shape future PSHE strategy and ensure higher standards in the teaching and learning of PSHE.

More from the PSHE Subject Association

Read the Ofsted report