Department of Personal & Social Education

At our school we understand the importance of helping our students to develop into well rounded, assertive and active citizens able to fulfil their personal ambitions and make a valuable contribution to their school life, local community and the wider world.

To prepare them for the many challenges life brings, we have developed a programme of education designed to nurture skills and encourage positive and caring attitudes which will support students in many life situations and enable them to cope with the great changes in society.

From year 7 - 11, in fortnightly one hour sessions, we discuss many challenging issues including bullying, healthy lifestyle, sex education and relationships, substance use and misuse, equal opportunities, dealing with conflict, emergency life support and citizenship. In year 12 sessions are covered through the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification.

These topics are delivered in a way which encourages discussion and reflection, challenges attitudes and the emphasis is on the student taking a pro active role in the session. Strong links have been established with specialist agencies from the larger community who frequently attend sessions to educate, inform and support both students and staff.

In addition Special Day Events involving the whole school are organised with a variety of outside agencies providing a different experience for students. Such events include a PSE Fair, Healthy Lifestyle week, year 10 PSE Day and Get Sorted Peer Education Programme.

Our school has also been selected to participate in the Welsh Assembly’s Healthy Schools Scheme which encourages the development of a health promoting school. Now entering our fifth year, we have been successful in gaining accreditation and awards for our programme “which actively promotes and protects the physical, mental and social health and well being of its community.”

The underlying aim of PSE remains to enable our students to make informed choices and to take responsibility for their decisions and actions in a community of which they have a better understanding.