PSHE at KS3 and physical impairment

The challenges remain as for KS1, with the added problem of getting from class to class in a big school, accessing their belongings in crowded locker-rooms and getting to lessons on time. Being ‘different’ in the school may also be hard to cope with.

You can

• Organise support in using a lift for some of their lessons. Try timetabling lessons to be in the same area of school within a morning or afternoon. Allow the pupil to leave a couple of minutes early so they can avoid the rush or to arrive after everyone else has done so.
• Use PSHE to work on issues of difference and other pupils’ attitudes - this should take a whole school approach. Drama is an effective way of getting messages across, particularly when given a commentary as to what is happening. Pupils can work very effectively in drama with minimal adult support, so try getting the pupils themselves to devise effective PSHE drama sketches, based on researching people’s feeling in different situations. Ensure that the pupil with physical disability is able to contribute their feelings and to be involved in presenting the drama.