Representatives from around 50 primary and secondary schools across Wolverhampton attended a special launch event at Fordhouses Cricket Club last week to find out more about the resources, which have been compiled by the council's Public Health team.
Primary schools can access PSHE resources from Kapow Primary, including over 200 lessons, videos and teacher training on topics such as family structures, creating and maintaining positive friendships, developing safe and respectful relationships, first aid and operating safely in a digital world, along with resources from the Dog, Duck and Cat Trust which provide educational, preventative and harm minimisation resources for young people, with a focus on safeguarding, promoting safety and developing a child’s resilience.
A training and resource package from Wolverhampton X2Y is also available, to support school staff in delivering the issues around LGBT+ in a sensitive and age appropriate manner.
Secondary schools have access to a full package of PSHE resources from Cre8tive, commissioned by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, including over 100 lessons, videos and teacher training on topics such as protected characteristics, British values, relationships, substance misuse, anti bullying and positive mental and physical health, training and resources from Decca including subjects like drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping, and training and resources from YGAM around the harms associated with gambling.
At last week's event, schools were also able to find out more about the work of the city's School Nurse Team, how schools can get involved in a range of city wide public health campaigns coming up over the next 12 months and meet local and national agencies which can support schools with PSHE-related issues such as Embrace, W360 and Wolverhampton X2Y.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "PSHE is a really important part of the school curriculum, helping children and young people stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and work in modern Britain.
"It also helps pupils to achieve their academic potential, and we are delighted to be able to provide these resources to our city's schools for free so they can deliver the highest level of personal, social, health and economic education to their pupils."
She added: “These resources have an important role to play in supporting some of our key public health priorities such as obesity, good mental wellbeing, healthy growth, substance misuse and the prevention of harmful behaviours.”