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PSHE and 'Valuing all God's children': ODST Summer Leadership Conference

Headteachers from ODST and ODBST schools came together on 5th July to explore the best ways to provide PSHE education, with some high-profile speakers leading the day.

Keynote speaker Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England, began the day with an inspiring talk on Valuing all God's children, setting in context the approach that school leaders should take to Sex and Relationships Education.

Jenny Barksfield, Deputy CEO of the PSHE Association, then explained in detail the requirements and expectations and guidance for schools in delivering PSHE, leaving headteachers with a valuable and comprehensive insight into delivering the subject. She also launched a big ODST and ODBST initiative - all our schools now have PSHE Association membership to support them to provide the highest-quality PSHE education for the children in their care, leading the way in this area as much of PSHE begins to become compulsory.

Afternoon sessions offered a range of topics to choose from. Headteachers were able to explore in more depth about Mental health and wellbeing in PSHE with Karen Summers, PSHE Association; Social media and digital resliience from a primary-age point of view, led by Sarah Berman from Young Minds charity; and inclusivity and homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying with Oxfordshire LGBT Inclusion Champion, Guy Brigg.