The Importance of Personal, Social, Health & Economic Education
Education for economic wellbeing and financial capability aims to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes to make the most of changing opportunities in learning and work. Through their learning and experiences inside and outside school, pupils begin to understand the nature of the world of work, the diversity and function of business, and its contribution to national prosperity. They develop as questioning and informed consumers and learn to manage their money and finances effectively.
Education for economic wellbeing and financial capability improves motivation and progression by helping pupils see the relevance of what they learn in school to their future lives. It expands their horizons for action by challenging stereotyping, discrimination and other cultural and social barriers to choice. It helps pupils to aim high. Pupils build a positive and realistic view of their needs and capabilities so that they can make effective learning plans, decisions and transitions. They become aware of changing career opportunities and develop the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about which learning programmes to take.
Pupils learn to be enterprising. They develop the ability to handle uncertainty, respond positively to change, and create and implement new ideas and ways of doing things. They learn how to make and act on reasonable risk/reward assessments and develop a 'can-do' attitude and the drive to make ideas happen.
Key Concepts
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of economic wellbeing and financial capability. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.
- Career
- Understanding that everyone has a 'career'.
- Developing a sense of personal identity for career progression.
- Understanding the qualities, attitudes and skills needed for employability.
- Capability
- Exploring what it means to be enterprising.
- Learning how to manage money and personal finances.
- Understanding how to make creative and realistic plans for transition.
- Becoming critical consumers of goods and services.
- Risk
- Understanding risk in both positive and negative terms.
- Understanding the need to manage risk in the context of financial and career choices.
- Taking risks and learning from mistakes.
- Economic understanding
- Understanding the economic and business environment.
- Understanding the functions and uses of money.
The Importance of Personal Wellbeing
Personal wellbeing helps young people embrace change, feel positive about who they are and enjoy healthy, safe, responsible and fulfilled lives. Through active learning opportunities pupils recognise and manage risk, take increasing responsibility for themselves, their choices and behaviours and make positive contributions to their families, schools and communities. As pupils learn to recognise, develop and communicate their qualities, skills and attitudes, they build knowledge, confidence and self-esteem and make the most of their abilities. As they explore similarities and differences between people and discuss social and moral dilemmas, they learn to deal with challenges and accommodate diversity in all its forms.
The world is full of complex and sometimes conflicting values. Personal wellbeing helps pupils explore this complexity and reflect on and clarify their own values and attitudes. They identify and articulate feelings and emotions, learn to manage new or difficult situations positively and form and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of people. Personal wellbeing makes a major contribution to the promotion of personal development.
Key Concepts
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of personal wellbeing. Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden their knowledge, skills and understanding.
- Personal identities
- Understanding that identity is affected by a range of factors, including a positive sense of self.
- Recognising that the way in which personal qualities, attitudes, skills and achievements are evaluated affects confidence and self-esteem.
- Understanding that self-esteem can change with personal circumstances, such as those associated with family and friendships, achievements and employment.
- Healthy lifestyles
- Recognising that healthy lifestyles, and the wellbeing of self and others, depend on information and making responsible choices.
- Understanding that physical, mental, sexual and emotional health affect our ability to lead fulfilling lives, and that there is help and support available when they are threatened.
- Dealing with growth and change as normal parts of growing up.
- Risk
- Understanding risk in both positive and negative terms and understanding that individuals need to manage risk to themselves and others in a range of situations.
- Appreciating that pressure can be used positively or negatively to influence others in situations involving risk.
- Developing the confidence to try new ideas and face challenges safely, individually and in groups.
- Relationships
- Understanding that relationships affect everything we do in our lives and that relationship skills have to be learnt and practised.
- Understanding that people have multiple roles and responsibilities in society and that making positive relationships and contributing to groups, teams and communities is important.
- Understanding that relationships can cause strong feelings and emotions.
- Diversity
- Appreciating that, in our communities, there are similarities as well as differences between people of different race, religion, culture, ability or disability, gender, age or sexual orientation.
- Understanding that all forms of prejudice and discrimination must be challenged at every level in our lives.
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