PSHE, as personal, social and health education has come to be known, is particularly addressed under the subject headings of religious studies and biology. The topic of legal and illegal psychoactive drugs is covered by a specialist member of staff during tutor time, working with house groups. As far as possible, matters of information are intertwined with moral issues. Tutors too are encouraged and, increasingly, resourced, to follow up PSE matters with their tutor groups.
The Christian religion always affirms the right and responsibility of the individual to make his own decisions; pupils, therefore, are presented with a variety of opinions for their consideration. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that, on some matters, there is no one viewpoint which could be claimed as the Christian response (e.g. the teachings and practice of various denominations on such topics as divorce, contraception and abortion). It is also anticipated that many of the views offered will find agreement with those not necessarily of Christian persuasion, for example the importance of personal relationships, and knowledge of, and the necessity to observe the law, for example in connection with alcohol and addiction.
In the third year the topics of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, LSD, amphetamines (including ecstasy), cocaine and opiates and “How to say no’ to drugs are introduced. Drug classifications along psychoactive and penal lines are developed in the fourth year as are personal and social problems of dependency.
Tutors, in tutor time, work on a number of life skills topics with their tutees, including study skills. The Librarian works with the third year on information skills and the fourth year on resourcing information. Part of the careers education programme is concerned with becoming more self-aware.
Finally, a number of excerpts from the Biology GCSE syllabus are relevant. In the context of their study of the major human organs, pupils consider the factors associated with a healthy life-style and examples of technologies used to promote, improve and sustain the quality of life.
Pupils learn the components of a balanced human diet and encounter the concept of ‘healthy eating’. They discuss the social, economic and ethical aspects of genetic engineering, cloning and selective breeding. They use photographs and videotapes to learn the structure and functioning of the human male and female reproductive systems. They learn that the abuse of drugs can affect bodily functions, including the effect of smoking on the gas exchange system, the effect of alcohol on the brain, liver and kidneys, and the effect of solvent abuse on the brain.
Our pupils also learn in biology lessons how to reduce the transmission of diseases such as AIDS, poliomyelitis, cholera, salmonella food-poisoning, athlete’s foot, and malaria. This includes some consideration of regulating human behaviour, the use of drugs, antibiotics, antiseptics and immunisation.
