Evaluating PSHE
Quantitative Evaluation
As an OFSTED-trained inspector, John specialises in supporting LAs, schools and individuals to develop policy and practice, improve schools self-evaluation, monitor standards and enhance professional practice.
John has considerable experience of Quantitative Evaluation of PSHE Education & Citizenship. He has been responsible for the development of questionnaires to report on young people’s knowledge and skills, beliefs and behaviours, to help schools monitor process and progress of PSHE (especially Sex and Relationships Education) and impact and outcome evaluation.
Working with colleagues at the Health Behaviour Group, formerly based at the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter, PSHE Solutions can provide quantitative evaluation for schools with pupils in KS2, KS3, KS4 and colleges with post-16 students.
The Year 11 (KS4) Questionnaire was first developed in the late 1980s and was originally designed to evaluate the APAUSE programme. The questionnaire has been developed for use in a wide range of schools to monitor young people’s knowledge, beliefs and behaviours on a range of PSHE topics and is particularly useful for schools wishing to monitor National Healthy Schools impact and outcome measures.
As Health and Education authorities respond to ‘Every Child Matters’, as part of the ‘Children’s Plan’, schools will become even more important in terms of reducing health inequalities, promoting social inclusion and ensuring school improvement. The Y11 Questionnaire collects anonymous and confidential data under examination conditions and provides detailed reports on young people’s knowledge, beliefs, views and behaviours which enable commissioners and schools to monitor and audit:
- Appreciation of SRE
- Attitudes to sex and relationships
- Contraceptive use
- Local (sexual) health service provision
- National Healthy schools Programme targets
- PSHE/SRE
- Sexual activity
- Sexual health knowledge (eg STIs and
- contraception)
Questions are asked about bullying, exercise, diet, alcohol, tobacco and other substance use.
Such feedback also supports schools meeting OFSTED expectations of evaluating SRE/PSHE, supports PCTs ‘needs analysis’, voluntary sector support and the monitoring of health promotion services.
Qualitative Evaluation
John has been responsible for devising and conducting a range of Qualitative evaluations to produce written and oral feedback to help improve services and understanding of practitioner’s and young people’s viewpoints. John has recently worked in Gloucestershire, North Lincolnshire and Swindon to investigate PSHE and well-being provision in schools and collages.
Gloucestershire
PSHE in KS2 & KS4
In 2006/07 John was commissioned by the Gloucestershire Healthy School team to investigate the provision of PSHE in a range of schools across the county to expand on the picture given by data collected from an on-line survey. Three essential aspects of PSHE were investigated:
- Drugs education (including tobacco and alcohol)
- Sex and Relationships Education
- Emotional health and well-being
A representative mixture of 12 secondary, 12 primary and 6 special schools were identified. John led the team of professionals who conducted interviews in 28 out of the 30 invited schools and was the author of the final report. The report has been used to endorse good practice, identify training needs and support school improvement.
Post-16 ‘Well-being’ provision
During 2007/08, John was invited by the Gloucestershire Teenage Pregnancy Prevention board to investigate the provision of well-being in schools and collages with post-16 students. John led the team of professionals who conducted interviews in 28 schools & colleges and was the author of the final report which included national and local recommendations.
“The findings have been immensely useful and will be used by colleagues in Gloucestershire to monitor PSHE provision, increase multi-agency collaboration, identify staff training needs and consequently improve PSHE provision to young people" Jan Urban-Smith, PSHE Advisor
North Lincolnshire
During 2006 John organised interviews with staff and students and has been lead author for ‘deep dive’ investigations into SRE provision in North Lincolnshire. John was commissioned to investigate the SRE provision delivered by Youth Workers and Connexions staff in 5 schools. The results have helped local professionals improve services and delivery to young people.
Swindon
John has recently been commissioned to support the investigation into SRE provision in Swindon. The results will helped local professionals improve services and delivery for young people.
