Personal, Social and Health Education
Head of Faculty: Miss C Horton
Personal, Social and Health Education lessons aim to improve self-confidence and independence, develop self-management and inter-personal skills, increase awareness of our rights and responsibilities in society and foster healthy bodies and minds.
It deals with a wide range of health issues such as Healthy Eating and Fitness, Drugs, Sexual Health, Bullying and First Aid. Citizenship lessons look at how we can contribute to and change our society for the better. Older students also investigate topics such as Health and Safety at Work and Money Management. The Deanes School already has links with the Health Promoting School network and has recently achieved part of the National Healthy Schools Standard.
Careers Information, Education & Guidance
All students have the opportunity to investigate and plan for the career choices they will have to make. Our Connexions Centre is open at lunchtime every day and contains information about Further Education, Higher Education and a wide range of careers. Parents and students are encouraged to discuss their ideas with our Connexions Personal Advisor and Careers Advisor. All students undertake a period of work experience and are given advice in preparing CVs, completing application forms and writing letters. Mock interviews are available to help students improve their interview technique.
The school liases closely with our partner sixth form – SEEVIC college, and maintains effective links with other colleges, sixth forms and training providers to make the transition to further education, training or employment as smooth as possible. The School achieved the Recognition of Quality Award for its work in Careers Education and Guidance in 1999 and again in 2002.
Connexions
Connexions is a new national initiative designed to connect young people aged 13 to 19 to sources of information, advice and guidance on a wide range of life issues so that they are able to make more informed choices and decisions.
Our Connexions Centre, housed next to the School Library, is run by Mr Marett, Mrs Powling and Mrs Alex Berry, our Connexions Personal Advisor from Careers Essex. It is open every lunchtime (at other times by arrangement) and can put students, parents and teachers in touch with information on, for example:
- Learning, revision and exams
- Work experience opportunities
- Voluntary work opportunities
- Sport and Leisure opportunities
- Careers
- Colleges
- Universities
- Apprenticeships
- Jobs
- Sexual health
- Drugs
- Bullying and other forms of stress
- Disabilities
- Health and medical conditions
- Housing
- Financial support
- Legal rights
Students and parents can request careers guidance from Alex Berry who is also able to arrange help on other issues from our school counsellors or from other agencies.
For information and advice, contact Mr Marett or Mrs Powling at the school.
Making a Difference in the Community
Students are given support in bringing about improvements in the community. Much is achieved within the school by the Year Group and School Student Councils and students are also encouraged to work for the benefit of the wider community beyond the school.
Many charity fund-raising activities have been undertaken and practical work includes conservation with the Essex Wildlife Trust, footpath restoration with Essex County Council’s Ways Through Essex Project, a wheelchair access project in a local nature reserve and work with children and the elderly in the local community. Students are encouraged to plan and undertake their own community action projects through Changemakers – a national Service Learning initiative overseen by Community Service Volunteers. The Deanes School has twice won Barclays New Futures Awards to fund community action projects.
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