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Health education crucial to pupil progress

David Grailey

By: David Grailey

Chief Executive

Friday 23 May 2014

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Sec Ed have reported this week that the narrow focus on academia promoted by performance measures and Government policy could be ‘actively harming’ young people’s health and wellbeing.

The article calls for PSHE to be made a statutory subject and for “health education” to be integrated into the wider curriculum. The academic group argues that education policy is increasingly encouraging schools to maximise academic attainment at the cost of children’s wellbeing.

At NCFE, we believe that education should be more than just about the core subjects. Of course, there’s no getting away from the fact that English and maths are of the utmost importance. However, it’s also crucial that young people leave school as well rounded individuals, adequately prepared for life and the challenges that they may face.

At a time of great transition in education, it’s undoubtedly difficult to keep up with and respond to the constantly changing priorities and policies laid out by Government. Teaching staff are feeling more stretched than ever as they try to ensure their curriculum meets everything that is expected of them. Another day, another new initiative.

However, I think that personal and social development is one thing that can’t be ignored and truly deserves its place at the heart of education as we guide, mentor and empower the next generation.

NCFE offers a range of awareness qualifications (for example Sexual Health Awareness, Alcohol Awareness, Substance Misuse Awareness, Equality and Diversity), which can help schools to educate their pupils in health and wellbeing.

 

What do you think? How important is PSHE in schools? 

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