Curriculum, teaching and learning
Curriculum, teaching and learning
The focus of curriculum teaching and learning within the Whole School Approach is to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning for all children and young people.
Recognising the impact of mental health and wellbeing on learning
Experiencing some level of emotional wellbeing challenge in life is normal. The emotional and physical changes of growing up can be stressful. Hormonal shifts in adolescence may impact on self-identity and relationships and it is well known that the ‘teenage brain’ has less ability to regulate emotion and impulse and to feel empathy. Even predictable changes, such as, lesson changes, different teachers and moving year groups, can challenge and affect learning.
Specific teaching of social and emotional skills
In a positive school environment, relationships are prioritised and staff and pupils have a range of effective social and emotional skills. These skills help young people manage challenges and change and can help prevent mental health problems and risk-taking behaviours.
Schools should develop and promote social and emotional skills through a dedicated Personal Social Health and Economic education (PSHE) curriculum – including statutory content regarding Relationships Education (RE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education. Statutory guidance on the implementation of the curriculum states that such content should be delivered in a ‘carefully sequenced way, within a planned programme of lessons’
Schools have a key role in teaching core skills, attitudes and values linked to the following themes:
Core theme 1: Health and Wellbeing
Core theme 2: Relationships
Core theme 3: Living in the wider world
Embedding MHEW across the curriculum
In addition to specific PHSE/RHSE lessons, it is important to embed MHEW teaching and learning within everyday practice. Assemblies and tutor sessions are a good opportunity to explore themes linked to MHEW. These sessions may be based on pupil survey data linked to MHEW or on local/national trends.
There are also opportunities to address MHEW themes across the wider curriculum, for example by researching historical figures who have overcome challenges with their mental health, teaching about neuroscience and brain development in science lessons, exploring the impact of exercise on wellbeing during PE or developing empathy when reading fiction texts.
There are also times during the academic year that provide opportunities for a specific curricular focus, for example learning skills for coping with transition periods or learning skills for coping with the pressures of studying for exams. There may also be times when it will be appropriate for a focus to be given to a locally topical issue, or national event.
Establishing a bank of accessible and representative MHEW related books and resources, for classrooms and libraries, can also help to embed understanding of key themes and useful strategies.
Curriculum, teaching and learning resources
East Sussex PSHE Hubs
Your local PHSE Hub will provide up to date training and resources to enable you to delivery high quality teaching and learning in line with statutory requirements.
Useful links, signposting and resources:
- PSHE Association – MHEW lesson plans (Mental health and emotional wellbeing lesson plans | www.pshe-association.org.uk (pshe-association.org.uk)
- PHE School Zone resources - suitable for Upper KS2 and above. Lesson plans and resources cover unhelpful thoughts, building connections, worry, dealing with change, and lots of others
- toolkit-all-about-me.pdf (mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk) Lesson plans/activities for new school year
- Barnardos Diversity Resources
- DEAL: Developing Emotional Awareness and Listening | Samaritans
- Oxfam Citizenship Resources
- Wellbeing activities: managing stress | British Red Cross
