PSHE

PSHE at Stillness

Intent

In line with the National Curriculum 2014, all schools must provide a curriculum that is broadly based, balanced and meets the needs of all pupils. Under section 78 of the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010, a PSHE curriculum:

• Promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and
• Prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

The National Curriculum advises schools to make provision for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), drawing on good practice. At Stillness Juniors, PSHE is considered across the curriculum and is a fundamental part of the children’s school experience.  Children are taught the importance of a Growth Mind-set which supports their self-belief, resilience and perseverance and supports success across the wider curriculum and in social contexts. In addition, the emphasis on PSHE across the work of the school, Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, is taught explicitly as part of the whole-school approach.  We believe that successful PSHE supports children’s learning capacity and this aspect of the school’s work is held in high regard as we believe that it promotes wellbeing and underpins children’s development as people.

To support our aims we follow the Jigsaw Programme scheme of work, which holds the PSHE Association Quality Mark.  Jigsaw PSHE offers a comprehensive, carefully thought-through Scheme of Work which brings consistency and progression to our children’s learning in this vital curriculum area.  Our approach also supports the “Personal Development” and “Behaviour and Attitude” aspects required under the Ofsted Inspection Framework, as well as significantly contributing to the school’s Safeguarding and Equality Duties, the Government’s British Values agenda and the SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural) development opportunities provided for our children.

We aim to ensure that all children:

• Develop confidence and responsibility and to make the most of their abilities
• Prepare to play an active role as citizens in Britain
• Develop a healthy, safer lifestyle
• Develop good relationships and to understand and celebrate the differences between people

Implement

Jigsaw covers all areas of PSHE for the primary phase including statutory Relationships and Health Education. The table below gives the learning theme of each of the six Puzzles (units) and these are taught across the school; the learning deepens and broadens every year.

PSHE lessons are taught every week. This ensures that we are able to teach the PSHE knowledge and skills in a developmental and age-appropriate way.

These explicit lessons are reinforced and enhanced in many ways which include:

• Assemblies, which explore the aspects of each term’s specific themes in greater depth, supporting children to make links to their own lives within and beyond school
• Praise and reward systems
• A child led Learning Charter
• Positive relationships child to child, adult to child and adult to adult across the school.

We aim to ‘live’ what is learnt and apply it to everyday situations in the school community.

Class teacher delivers the weekly lesson to their own class.  The school’s ethos, curriculum design and PSHE lesson coverage promote the following:

• Empathy and compassion (including impact on decision-making and behaviour)
• Respect for others’ right to their own beliefs, values and opinions
• Discernment in evaluating the arguments and opinions of others (including challenging ‘group think’)
• Team working
• Negotiation (including flexibility, self-advocacy and compromise within an awareness of personal boundaries)
• Leadership skills
• Presentation skills
• Enterprise skills and attributes (e.g. aspiration, creativity, goal setting, identifying opportunities, taking positive risks)
• Recognising, evaluating and utilising strategies for managing influence
• Valuing and respecting diversity
• Using these skills and attributes to build and maintain healthy relationships of all kinds

To enrich the school’s approach to PSHE and to broaden the curriculum, we organise events and opportunities such as targeted workshops, supporting charities and participate in national drives, such as UK Parliament Week. The school’s celebration of the annual ‘Children’s Mental Health Week’ also raises awareness and compliments the school’s commitment to promoting good mental health.  Furthermore, the school offers targeted support to children through the onsite Learning Mentor Program.

In each curriculum area, consideration is given to the school’s own context to ensure that learning experiences are meaningful and relevant.  Learning experiences themselves are also varied and opportunities for learning outside the classroom are also valued, considered and specifically planned for.  Children are provided with opportunities to take pride in and ownership of the school grounds, making use of the outside garden classroom.

Through the involvement of visitors with specialist skills and backgrounds and the careful consideration and planning of trips and real-life experiences, the children are able to build on their knowledge of community and develop the skills they will require for life after education.

Impact

With weekly assemblies, we ensure that PSHE remains a constant and relevant part of each child’s education. Jigsaw holds children at its heart, and its cohesive vision helps children understand and value how they fit into and contribute to the world.

The school has established and maintains a positive learning environment where the children have positive relationships with their peers and teachers.  The extent to which the school successfully promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils is further evidenced through school life as a whole – in the children’s good behaviour, their attitudes to learning and their respect, care and understanding for and of, each other.

By the time children leave Stillness Junior School they will:

• Have a ready willingness and ability to try new things, push themselves and persevere.
• Have a good understanding of how to stay safe, healthy and develop good relationships.
• Have an appreciation of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse, multicultural society.
• Have a strong self-awareness, interlinked with compassion of others.

PSHE Progression Map

Autumn 1 – Being Me in My World

Spring 1 – Dreams and Goals

Spring 2 – Healthy Me

Summer 1 – Relationships

Summer 2- Changing Me

RSHE

At Stillness Juniors, we take a mindful approach to PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) which includes the statutory RSHE (Relationship Education, Sex Education and Health Education). There is a strong focus on emotional and mental health and wellbeing.  Through the use of the Jigsaw scheme, we teach children emotional literacy, social and lifelong skills and resilience in an age appropriate manner. The programme equips them for happier and healthier lives, giving them agency to make their way through the world.  Our overall aim is for children to be safe, healthy and happy. Stillness Juniors is always respectful of the faith, beliefs and contexts of children’s families; engaging with parents and carers on this key subject.

Please find below the guide about RSHE and a copy of the letters you will receive in the summer term.

A Guide for Parents about Sex and Relationship Education:

RSHE Knowledge Organiser

detailed_guide_for_parents_and_carers_on_jigsaw_sre-2

Y3 PSHE Letter

Y4 PSHE Letter

Y5 PSHE Letter

Y6 PSHE Letter

Beyond the Curriculum

At Stillness Juniors our learning goes beyond the curriculum and is supplemented in a number of different ways. We enrich our knowledge through workshops – some led by our wonderful parents, themed days, school trips, team sports, and afterschool clubs to name some. Head over to our gallery and our Instagram page where you will see a showcase of these activities.