Personal and Social Development linked to pastoral support is increasingly recognised as central to an effective education in which the potential of the whole individual is developed.  Fundamental to the rationale of this course is an educational philosophy which recognises the importance of the affective as well as the cognitive domain and the value of student – centred holistic approaches.

The module is targeted at practicing and experienced teachers/lecturers with an interest in facilitating the personal and social development of pupils/students. It is however open to all teachers, faculty heads and senior managers who wish to improve provision in this area. These teachers will normally have an involvement in personal and social development within their subject classrooms and the delivery of the personal, social, moral and health education curriculum.  The National Guidance Review document ‘Happy Safe and Achieving their Potential’, the  ‘5 - 14 National PSD Guidelines’ and the ‘Higher Still Guidance and PSE Arrangements’ documents emphasize the importance of planned approaches to PSD and pastoral support.  This module is therefore designed to increase confidence and competence in identifying and meeting the developing personal and social needs of students through such planned approaches.

 

The module covers aspects of all areas below

 

•    a review of key literature influencing the field of personal and social development

•    the theories, principles and processes which underpin personal and social development

•    student centred approaches and the importance of a supportive climate

•    planning, development and delivery of cross curricular and special focus programmes of PSD/PSE including assessment, quality assurance and development planning

•    an exposition of the theoretical basis of student-centred learning; active and experiential learning styles; group work skills and strategies, including structured discussion, and group leadership styles

•    the health promoting school, equal opportunities and racial equality issues

•    strategies for the delivery of more sensitive issues