National Healthy Schools Programme's Conference On PSHE Is Announced, UK

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet;  Public Health;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 06 Nov 2008 - 1:00 PST

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Event: PSHE! It's all about their future. The third annual Healthy Schools national conference will bring together health and education experts from all the 150 local Healthy Schools programmes across the country, to address the issues around PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) head-on.

Date: Thursday 20 November, 2008
Venue: National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham

Keynote speakers: Helen Williams, Director of Curriculum and Pupil Wellbeing at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), and Will Cavendish, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the Department of Health (DH).

Summary: In association with the National PSHE CPD Assocation and the PSHE Association, the event will be a unique opportunity to hear the DH and DCSF shared perspective on the contributions that PSHE, Healthy Schools, and Extended Schools will make in delivering The Children's Plan vision of the 21st Century School.

Delegates will also be able to choose from a combination of short workshops and seminars on a variety of topics including Positive Thinking (Will Ord); PSHE Assessment - A school's story (Primary and Secondary case studies); SRE Audit Tool; Working with External Agencies; Persuading Headteachers; Financial Capability; Engaging parents; and PHSE CPD; A day in the life of CPD (from the perspective of a nurse and a teacher); and more.

PSHE is important to young people because it equips them with the knowledge and essential life skills they need to make healthy choices and informed life decisions for themselves, in an increasingly complex world.

On 23rd October, the Government announced that PSHE is to become a compulsory part of the curriculum to help ensure that all pupils receive high quality PSHE lessons, covering everything from managing their personal finance and emotions, to sex and relationship education and the consequences of drugs misuse.

Young people be part of the conference, with students from schools in Birmingham and Solihull participating as hosts and contributors in sessions throughout the day.

For more information about the National Healthy Schools Programme including the full Conference Programme or to book in to the event, please visit the Healthy Schools website at: http://www.healthyschools.gov.uk and click on 'Events'.

Further Useful Links:

1. Link to Government announcement about PSHE being made compulsory.

2. Link to SRE review.

3. Link to drug alcohol review.

4. Link to Ofsted's TellUs3' Report (Published on 28th October 2008) with results of surveys on the views of Children & Young People towards a range of PSHE issues.

Notes on Healthy Schools:

1.The National Healthy Schools Programme (NHSP) is an exciting long-term initiative from the Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Families, which is equipping children and young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make improved life choices and to be more healthy.

2.It is a successful non-statutory national programme: currently 97% (21,179) of schools are participating nationally and 68% (14,920) schools have National Healthy School Status. (Figs correct at: 23 October, 2008)

3.For a school to achieve National Healthy School Status, it must have in place the minimum evidence for 41 criteria across four themes: PSHE, Emotional Health & Wellbeing, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. There are direct links between each of the 41 criteria and the five Every Child Matters outcomes.

4.It ensures a range of improvements for children and young people including; reduced health inequalities; raised pupil achievement; greater social inclusion and increased working between health promotion providers and education establishments.

5.Through a 0-19 whole child approach, the NHSP addresses a child's emotional and physical health and wellbeing, and is consistent with the cross cutting nature of government policy, and the desired improvements in the five outcomes articulated in ECM and the Children's National Service Framework (NSF).

Source
Anna Beaumont
Press Office Manager
National Healthy Schools Programme