As more people acknowledge the benefits of teaching PSHE in shaping a happier, healthier and wealthier society, recent reports highlight areas of insecurity within the staff rooms.
For many, ensuring consistent PSHE teacher training across UK schools is proving difficult, with pupils and staff facing the brunt of gaps.
Hayley Sherwood looks into the challenges educators face and why whole-school training could be the answer you’ve been waiting for. We’re covering:
- How teachers and educators currently manage PSHE training
- Why whole-school training is important for teaching
- The costs of insufficient training for teachers and pupils
- Solutions for educators, schools and teachers
From mental health to relationships, financial literacy to citizenship, PSHE plays a significant part in preparing pupils for life beyond the classroom.
How, when, and by whom these lessons are delivered are - arguably - some of the most pressing challenges in the feat to deliver outstanding and impactful lessons for life.
So, what’s it like out there at the front of the class? Let’s begin with what we know from the latest reports.
How are Teachers and Educators Currently Managing PSHE Training?
In many schools, responsibility for PSHE is unevenly distributed, with the PSHE lead receiving more thorough training than classroom teachers.
According to the recent government RSHE 2024 report, 8% of teachers admitted they hadn’t had time to read the RSHE curriculum due to workload pressures, relying on the “cascade model” where leads are expected to pass on key guidance.
This model is known for creating significant gaps in training and can unfairly leave teachers feeling unprepared and unsure about how to handle sensitive topics confidently.
Why is Whole-School Training Important for Teaching?
Call us biased, but it’s true that whole-school training helps to ensure that all staff (and not just PSHE leads) are well-prepared and confident for in delivering high-quality lessons.
With 85% of teachers from the DfE’s September 2024 RSHE report acknowledging that the curriculum prepares pupils for real-world experiences, it’s essential that this consistency extends across all teaching staff.
We believe adopting such an approach is key to building a solid school-wide culture, where all pupils receive equal access to the age-appropriate personal development education and topics, regardless of which teacher is delivering the lesson.
What are the Costs of Insufficient Training for Teachers and Pupils?
Insufficient training impacts both teachers and pupils.
The RSHE publication highlights how 21% of teachers feel they lack access to high-quality resources, affecting their ability to teach sensitive topics such as mental health or relationships.
This inconsistency can lead to varied classroom experiences, where some pupils may miss out on vital life lessons.
Teachers without confidence or proper resources may revert to a more rigid, less engaging style of delivery, which can ultimately disengage pupils from the topic and prevent them from learning.
So, how can we help lighten the load? Let’s look at the solutions.
Solutions for Educators, Schools and Teachers
Put simply, the answer lies in taking advantage of what’s already available and balancing the budget to adopt a whole-school training model.
1decision’s Whole-School Training Portal offers instant school support and access to a continuous professional development (CPD) platform.
By ensuring that every staff member receives structured and accessible training, teachers are handed the necessary skills to deliver PSHE lessons effectively and with improved confidence.
Thanks to such interactive tools, schools and Trusts can quickly and efficiently reduce the burden on their PSHE leads and team by committing to a sustainable, consistent approach to personal development education.
