www.dysgu.cymru.gov.ukwww.learning.wales.gov.uk

Adran Hyfforddiant ac AddysgDepartment for Training and Education

Personal and Social Education (PSE)and Work-Related Education (WRE)in the Basic CurriculumNational Assembly for Wales Circular No: 13/03Date of Issue: 15 June 2003

Action Required: Implementation from September 2003 (PSE)and September 2004 (WRE)

GuidanceCircular

Curriculum &Qualifications

Title of Document: Personal and Social Education (PSE) and Work-RelatedEducation (WRE) in the Basic Curriculum.National Assembly for Wales Circular 13/03

Audience: Local Education AuthoritiesMaintained SchoolsOther interested organisations

Overview: Personal and Social Education (PSE) and Work RelatedEducation (WRE) are added to the Basic Curriculumfrom September 2003 and September 2004respectively. This Circular contains Guidance andSupplementary Notes for LEAs, maintained schoolsand other interested organisations.

Action required: LEAs and Governing Bodies, working with keypartners, need to consider the action needed toimplement the requirements of the Basic Curriculumfor Wales (Amendment) Order 2003. In doing so,LEAs and Governing Bodies must have regard to theGuidance in this Circular.

Further information: For PSE: Michael Parkinson or Jane Corbett.and further copies For WRE: Tony Peters or Tegwen Harrison.of this Circular

Standards and Performance Division Welsh Assembly GovernmentCathays ParkCARDIFF CF10 3NQTel: 02920 826002 (PSE) or 02920 826251 (WRE)Fax: 02920 826016E-mail (PSE): michael.parkinson@wales.gsi.gov.ukE-mail (WRE): tony.peters@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Related Documents:

Personal and Social Education Framework, Key stages 1 to 4 in Wales Personal and Social Education, Supplementary Guidance A Framework for Work Related Education for 14-19 Year olds in Wales Work Related Education for 14-19 Year olds in Wales. Supplementary Guidance: Implementing the Framework (all published ACCAC, 2000)

Schools received these documents in 2000.They can also be viewed and downloaded at www.accac.org.uk.Further hard copies (price £3.95) are available from ACCAC Publications, Tel: 0870 242 3207 (English language) and 0870 242 3206 (Welsh language)

© Crown copyright 2003Typesetting by Text Processing Services

JuneINA-15-07-195

NAFWC 13/03 Designed by CartoGraphics G/084/03-04

CONTENTS

1 Summary

2 Background to the inclusion of PSE and WRE in the basiccurriculum

3 Requirements set out in the Basic Curriculum for Wales(Amendment) Order 2003

4 Guidance for LEAs and Governing bodies on PSE and WRE

(LEAs and Governing Bodies of maintained schools arerequired by Section 100(8) of the Education Act 2002 to haveregard to this Guidance)

5 Supplementary notes for LEAs, schools and other interestedparties

11 The Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003

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PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION (PSE) AND WORK-RELATEDEDUCATION (WRE) IN THE BASIC CURRICULUM

Guidance CircularCurriculum and Qualifications

SUMMARY

The Education Act 2002 requires the curriculum for every maintained school inWales to include a Basic Curriculum comprising religious education, sex education(in secondary schools and in special schools for pupils provided with secondaryeducation) and the National Curriculum for Wales. The Act also provides powers forthe National Assembly to add further requirements to the Basic Curriculum.

On 26 March 2003 the National Assembly for Wales approved The Basic Curriculumfor Wales (Amendment) Order 2003. The Order adds two new requirements to theBasic Curriculum - Personal and Social Education (PSE) and Work-Related Education(WRE).

PSE will form part of the Basic Curriculum for all registered pupils at maintainedschools who are of compulsory school age, with effect from 1 September 2003.

WRE will form part of the Basic Curriculum for all registered pupils at maintainedschools during Key Stage 4, with effect from 1 September 2004.

The explanatory notes accompanying the Order also confirm that the NationalAssembly will provide guidance on the teaching of PSE and WRE and that Section100(8) of the Education Act 2002 requires LEAs and governing bodies to have regardto such guidance. This Guidance is included in this Circular.

It is important to be aware that these legal changes are being made to the schoolcurriculum. However, this Circular should contain “no surprises” for teachers andothers who are familiar with the existing PSE and WRE Frameworks produced byACCAC. The Frameworks will remain the key curriculum documents on whichschools should base their provision. They are widely known and used in schools.The main action required is to ensure their continuing implementation.

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BACKGROUND TO THE INCLUSION OF PSE AND WRE IN THEBASIC CURRICULUM

In 2000 the National Assembly approved Frameworks for Personal and SocialEducation (PSE) and Work-Related Education (WRE) for use by maintained schoolsin Wales from September 2000. The Frameworks were produced and issued to allschools by the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales(ACCAC). ACCAC also issued in 2000 Supplementary Guidance to schools, whichincludes exemplification of how PSE and WRE provision can be made in practice.Schools are already familiar with this documentation.

PSE and WRE have hitherto not formed part of the statutorily defined curriculumfor schools in Wales. However, both Framework documents indicated that thefuture statutory status of these curriculum areas would be reviewed by 2002. TheAssembly Government’s 2001 paving document, The Learning Country, repeatedthis intention.

The Assembly Government asked ACCAC to review the implementation of both thePSE and WRE frameworks and to make recommendations as to their futurestatutory status by May 2002. To support its advice to Ministers, ACCACcommissioned independent evaluation work. This evaluation included wideconsultation with schools, LEAs and other interested parties. The evaluation foundwidespread support for PSE and WRE to be given statutory status.

Following ACCAC’s advice, the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning decidedthat PSE should form part of the Basic Curriculum for maintained schools in Walesfrom September 2003, for pupils of compulsory school age (ie. pupils aged 5 to 16).The Minister also decided that WRE should form part of the Basic Curriculum formaintained schools in Wales from September 2004, for pupils in Key Stage Four (ie.broadly pupils aged 14-16). All schools were notified of this decision by letter on21 October 2002.

The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning subsequently brought forward anOrder under Section 101(3)(a) of the Education Act 2002. This Order (The BasicCurriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003) was approved by the NationalAssembly on 26 March 2003.

The effect of the Order is to add PSE and WRE to the Basic Curriculum. This meansthat schools will be statutorily required to provide PSE and WRE, in a similar way tothe requirement on them to provide religious education and sex education.Neither PSE nor WRE will form part of the National Curriculum for Wales and therewill be no statutory assessment requirements for either PSE or WRE.

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THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE BASIC CURRICULUM FORWALES (AMENDMENT) ORDER 2003.

Section 101(1) of the Education Act 2002 (the Act) requires the curriculum forevery maintained school in Wales to include a Basic Curriculum comprising religiouseducation, the National Curriculum for Wales and sex education (in secondaryschools and in special schools for pupils provided with secondary education).Subsection (3) enables the National Assembly for Wales to make an Order amendingsubsection (1) by adding further requirements.

The Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003), which is made undersubsection (3), adds two new requirements to the Basic Curriculum. The first,which is to apply from 1 September 2003, requires the Basic Curriculum to includeprovision for personal and social education for registered pupils of compulsoryschool age. The second, which it to apply from 1 September 2004, requires thatcurriculum to include provision for work-related education for pupils who are inthe fourth key stage (broadly pupils aged 14 – 16).

In teaching personal and social education and work-related education regard mustbe had to any guidance issued by the National Assembly - see section 100(8) of theAct.

A copy of the Order is at the end of this Circular.

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GUIDANCE FOR LEAS AND GOVERNING BODIES ON PSE AND WREIN THE BASIC CURRICULUM

(LEAs and governing bodies of maintained schools are required by Section100(8) of the Education Act 2002 to have regard to this Guidance)

The National Assembly for Wales’s guidance is as follows:

Personal and Social Education (PSE) for registered pupils who are of compulsoryschool age

1. Schools should base their provision for Personal and Social Education on thePersonal and Social Education Framework published by ACCAC in 2000.

2. Schools should aim to make balanced PSE provision that enables pupils,according to their abilities, to reach a range of the learning outcomes set out inthe PSE Framework, including:

� values and attitudes

� skills

� knowledge and understanding of the 10 Aspects of PSE

3. Schools’ own curriculum documentation should record how opportunities forpupils to reach a range of learning outcomes are to be provided.

Work-Related Education (WRE) for registered pupils in Key Stage 4.

4. Schools should base their provision for Work-Related Education on thelearning opportunities set out in the Framework for Work-Related Educationfor 14-19 Year olds in Wales published by ACCAC in 2000.

5. All pupils should be given the opportunity during Key Stage 4 to undertake goodquality work experience of at least one week. In addition pupils should beprovided with at least one of the following opportunities – an enterpriseactivity, mentoring support from an employer, a vocational or vocationallyrelated course, a curriculum or coursework assignment with employerinvolvement. Further amplification of the activities can be found in WorkRelated Education for 14-19 Year Olds. Supplementary Guidance: Implementingthe Framework.

6. The opportunities identified will enable pupils in Key Stage 4, according totheir abilities, to make progress towards a range of the learning outcomesidentified in the WRE Framework.

7. Schools’ own curriculum documentation should record how opportunities forpupils to reach a range of learning outcomes are to be provided.

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SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES FOR LEAS, SCHOOLS AND OTHERINTERESTED PARTIES.

COMMON TO OUR GUIDANCE ON BOTH PSE AND WRE

Why does the Guidance say that schools should “base their provision” on thePSE and WRE Frameworks?

The PSE and WRE Frameworks remain the key curriculum documents for schools.They have been approved by the National Assembly for use in schools. Evaluationwork carried out for ACCAC (and by Estyn for the Assembly Government) has shownthat the Frameworks are widely known and used in schools.

The Assembly Government is making the provision of Personal and Social Educationand Work Related Education a statutory requirement for maintained schools. ThePSE and WRE Framework documents themselves should be seen as a basis for PSEand WRE provision in schools, rather than as “programmes of study”. This willenable schools to make PSE and WRE provision in line with the school’s ethos andcharacter and the particular needs of pupils.

Why does the Guidance not require schools to provide opportunities for pupilsto reach all the learning outcomes in the WRE and PSE Frameworks?

We believe this would be too prescriptive an approach. It should be possible forschools to provide opportunities for most pupils, according to their abilities, toreach a range of the learning outcomes in the Frameworks. There may becircumstances in which a school is constrained in the type(s) of opportunity it canoffer for pupils to reach some outcomes. Such a school could be in a position toprovide pupils with especially exciting and creative opportunities to reach someother learning outcomes and decide to concentrate on those.

What form do you expect “schools’ own curriculum documentation” to take?

ACCAC’s PSE and WRE Supplementary Guidance documents provide clear guidanceabout the organisation and management of PSE and WRE, including the use ofaudits, policies and schemes of work. Whatever form a school’s curriculumdocumentation for PSE or WRE takes, our Guidance expects there to be evidence ofhow the school’s PSE or WRE provision will enable pupils, according to theirabilities, to reach a range of learning outcomes set out in the PSE or WREFrameworks.

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SPECIFIC TO PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION.

What does the Guidance mean by “balanced PSE provision” ?

We mean provision that enables pupils, according to their abilities, to reach “arange of the learning outcomes set out in the PSE Framework”, including:

� Attitudes and values

� Skills

� Knowledge and Understanding of the 10 Aspects of PSE

This does not mean that a school’s provision must provide opportunities for pupilsto reach every learning outcome listed in the PSE Framework. Schools should,however, aim for a balanced range of learning outcomes. We would expect schoolsto be aiming for learning outcomes within each of the areas listed above and(within the third area) within each of the 10 Aspects of PSE.

This is a practical consideration for schools, since the needs and interests of pupilsmay be stronger in some areas of PSE than others. In some schools, establishedschemes of work may also concentrate unduly on a limited range of learningoutcomes. In such cases, schools should adjust their provision.

How should PSE be taught and planned in schools?

Each school should determine this for itself. There is no single approach toplanning or staffing that will suit all schools.

Many schools in Wales are currently using some planned PSE sessions and activities,as well as taking advantage of opportunities to deliver PSE within nationalcurriculum subjects, religious education and other aspects of school life (such asschool assembly or the school council).

Section 2.2 of the PSE Framework offers further guidance. It is important to bearin mind the statement found there that “PSE comprises all that a schoolundertakes to promote the personal and social development of pupils”.

Is Health Education part of PSE?

Yes. The main foci for health education are the Physical, Sexual, Social andEmotional Aspects of PSE.

Is Citizenship part of PSE?

Yes. The main focus for citizenship and civics is the Community Aspect of PSE.

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Do pupils need to be assessed in PSE?

Schools will want to track pupils’ development across the range of PSE learningoutcomes for which the school is aiming. ACCAC’s Supplementary Guidanceunderlines the importance of assessing PSE work in order to monitor pupils’progress and plan future learning. The Supplementary Guidance contains helpfuladvice about how to use assessment in PSE.

However, there are no statutory assessment requirements for PSE. There is noexpectation from the Assembly Government that formal ‘tests’ or ‘tasks’ shouldneed to be used to assess pupils’ progress in their PSE work.

SPECIFIC TO WORK RELATED EDUCATION.

Why does the framework require all pupils to undertake at least one week ofwork experience in Key Stage 4?

The WRE Framework underlines that work experience lies at the heart of WRE andall students should have the opportunity to learn directly in the work place while incompulsory education. In particular, work experience helps young people to gainan awareness of the disciplines required of working life such as getting to work,being part of a team and working in a structured, predominantly adult,environment. It can also provide opportunities to develop key skills and informcareer planning.

Can visits to employers and work observation be classed as work experience?

In most instances no. Work experience is a placement on an employer’s premises inwhich a pupil carries out a particular task or duty, or range of tasks and duties,more or less as would an employee but with the emphasis on the learning aspectsof the experience. Advice on appropriate learning outcomes can be found in theACCAC WRE framework. Case studies and a list of useful resources and contacts arecontained in the WRE Supplementary Guidance – Implementing the Framework.

In addition Careers Wales can provide advice on work experience including healthand safety.

How has the list of other activities in the WRE Framework been compiled?

Schools are expected to work towards the learning outcomes for pupils identified inthe ACCAC WRE framework The Framework, therefore, sets out a menu of workrelated opportunities s that includes activities to develop enterprise and businessawareness, vocational courses, direct employer inputs to curriculum andcoursework and mentoring support from employers.

It is recognised that there needs to be flexibilty so that schools can provide WRE ina manner that reflects local circumstances and priorities. In this context all of theactivities have the potential to deliver elements of the identified learningoutcomes. They also relate to other areas of the curriculum and to the different

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needs of students across the ability range and other measures of suitability. Theactivities can be incorporated into learning as schools and pupils considerappropriate.

Do pupils need to be assessed in WRE?

Schools will want to track pupils’ development in achieving the identified learningoutcomes. ACCAC’s Supplementary Guidance underlines the importance ofmonitoring pupils’ progress in WRE and using the evidence to plan future learning.The Supplementary Guidance contains helpful advice about monitoring pupils’progress in WRE.

However, there are no statutory assessment requirements for WRE. There is noexpectation from the Assembly Government that formal ‘tests’ or ‘tasks’ shouldneed to be used to assess pupils’ progress in their WRE work.

Is there further advice on the activities listed in the WRE Framework?

Further advice and case studies can be found in the ACCAC WRE SupplementaryGuidance – Implementing the Framework (ACCAC, 2000).

Careers Wales, the National Council – ELWa and Education Business Partnerships(EBPs) also provide support for work related education in schools – includingenlisting employer support. Careers Wales works with schools to provide supportfor work experience, promotion of enterprise awareness and employer mentoring.In particular, Careers Wales, working with partners including EBPs is developingquality standards for use by schools in the design and delivery of work relatededucation. The National Council – ELWa, provides support for teacher placementinto business/industry and employer support for the delivery of the curriculum.

PSE AND WRE: SOME BROADER ISSUES

What are the implications of these changes for Estyn’s inspection framework?

The new Common Inspection Framework to be introduced by Estyn from 2004 willmake provision for inspection of PSE and WRE in maintained schools.

How do PSE and WRE relate to Careers Education and Guidance (CEG)?

Careers Education and Guidance (CEG) is not part of the Basic Curriculum, but theEducation Act 1997 requires maintained schools to provide a programme of careerseducation for all pupils from Year 9 onwards.

There are close links between CEG and both PSE and WRE. ACCAC’s CareersEducation and Guidance, Supplementary Guidance (ACCAC 2002) includes ananalysis of the links between CEG, PSE and WRE. Schools are recommended toconsult this.

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How do these changes relate to the proposed 14-19 Reforms?

The Assembly Government’s Learning Country: Learning Pathways 14-19 ActionPlan proposes establishing a Continuum of Learning for all 14-19 year olds, as partof working towards an overarching qualification (Welsh Baccalaureate). TheContinuum will include PSE and WRE components. We expect these components tobuild on the current approach to PSE and WRE. Both PSE and WRE components arecontained within the Welsh Baccalaureate that is being piloted from 2003.

What qualification options are available for PSE and WRE at Key Stage 4?

There is no qualification in the National Qualifications Framework at present that isspecifically designed to relate to PSE or WRE as defined in the Basic Curriculum forWales. However, some PSE and WRE work at Key Stage 4 could help prepare pupilsfor qualifications in areas such as Key Skills; personal and social skills; preparationfor employment or citizenship studies.

Schools wishing to prepare pupils for a qualification should check carefully whethera particular qualification is approved by the National Assembly for use withlearners under age 16 by consulting learning.wales.gov.uk. The position as regardssome qualifications at the time of issuing this Circular is shown below:

Qualification Title AwardingBody

Approved/Not Approvedfor learners under age16

Certificate in Life Skills(entry level)

WJECABC

ApprovedApproved

Certificate in Personal Development(entry level)

NCFE Approved

Certificate in Personal and Social Skills(entry level)

WJEC Approved

Certificate in Personal, Social and HealthEducation (entry level)

AQA Not approved

Certificate in Citizenship Studies(entry level)

OCR Not approved

Certificate in Preparation forEmployment (entry level)

C&GOCR

ApprovedApproved

Certificate in Skills for Working Life(entry level)

ABCLCCIEBNPTC

ApprovedApprovedApproved

Certificate in Young Enterprise(entry level)

OCR Approved

‘First Three’ Key Skills:Communication, levels 1 and 2

Application of Number, levels 1 and 2

Information Technology, levels 1 and 2

VariousAwardingBodies

Approved in all cases,except awards by BHTBand IMI

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‘Wider’ Key Skills:

Problem Solving, levels 1 and 2

Working With Others, levels 1 and 2

Improving Own Learning andPerformance, levels 1 and 2

VariousAwardingBodies

There is no need forNational Assemblyapproval for schools toprepare pupils for theseawards

Citizenship Studies (GCSE short course) AQA Approved

Citizenship Studies (GCSE short course) OCR Not approved

Citizenship Studies (GCSE short course) EdExcel Not approved

Certificate in Employment Skills(levels 1 and 2)

NCfE Approved

Award for Careers Education andPreparation for Working Life(Foundation and Intermediate)

NOCN Approved

Certificate in Enterprise (YoungEnterprise) (levels 1 and 2)

OCR Approved

Certificate in Preparation forEmployment (levels 1 and 2)

OCR Approved

Certificate in Preparation for WorkingLife (levels 1 and 2)

AQA Approved

The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) has recently consulted schools aboutthe possibility of developing a GCSE short course award for PSE.

Work flowing from the Assembly Government’s 14-19 Action Plan LearningCountry:Learning Pathways 14-19 will include work on accrediting work in PSE andWRE as part of the proposed Continuum of Learning and as part of the WelshBaccalaureate.

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES

S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S

2003 No.932 (W. 122)

EDUCATION, WALES

The Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

Section 101(1) of the Education Act 2002 (the Act) requires the curriculum for every maintainedschool in Wales to include a basic curriculum comprising religious education, the NationalCurriculum for Wales and sex education. Subsection (3) enables the National Assembly forWales to make an Order amending subsection (1) by adding further requirements.

This Order, which is made under subsection (3), adds two new requirements to the basiccurriculum. The first, which is to apply from 1 September 2003, requires the basic curriculum toinclude provision for personal and social education for registered pupils of compulsory schoolage. The second, which it to apply from 1 September 2004, requires that curriculum to includeprovision for work-related education for pupils who are in the fourth key stage (broadly pupilsaged 14 – 16).

In teaching personal and social education and work-related education regard must be had to anyguidance issued by the National Assembly - see section 100(8) of the Act. Guidance has beenpublished by the Assembly in National Assembly for Wales Circular 13/03. Copies are availablefrom the Assembly’s Standards and Performance Division, and may be accessed atlearning.wales.gov.uk.

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S T A T U T O R Y I N S T R U M E N T S

2003 No.932 (W. 122)

EDUCATION, WALES

The Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003

Made 26 March 2003

Coming into force as provided in article 1

The National Assembly for Wales makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferredon it by section 101(3)(a) of the Education Act 2002(1).

Name and commencement

� —1. This Order is called the Basic Curriculum for Wales (Amendment) Order 2003.(1) This Article and Article 2(1) and (2) of this Order come into force on 1 September 2003.(2) Article 2(3) comes into force on 1 September 2004.

Amendment of Section 101(1) of the Education Act 2002

� —(3) Section 101(1) of the Education Act 2002 is amended as follows.(4) After paragraph (b) insert –

“(ba) provision for personal and social education for all registered pupils at the school whoare of compulsory school age, ”.

(5) After paragraph (ba) (inserted by paragraph (2)) insert -

“(bb) provision for work-related education for all registered pupils at the school during thefourth key stage, ”.

Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government ofWales Act 1998(2)

D Elis-ThomasThe Presiding Officer of the Assembly

26 March 2003

(1) 2002 c 32.(2) 1998 c.38.

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