PSHE

Subject Leaders: Hannah Ferguson

Intent of the PHSE Curriculum

A high quality PSHE education provides learners with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values and skills they need in order to reach their potential as individuals and within the community. Our learners are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of our school and community. In doing so they learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. They reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. Through our PSHE curriculum, children learn to understand and respect our common humanity; diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life and learning. In our school we choose to deliver Personal, Social, Health Education using Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE.

We want to ensure that our learners achieve their potential by supporting their wellbeing and tackling issues that can affect their ability to learn, such as mental health and unhealthy relationships. A growing body of research shows that  pupils who are emotionally healthy do better at school; our Jigsaw PSHE sessions are used by class teachers as a weekly therapeutic intervention and are structured to provide knowledge and skills development, with application of these to our children’s lives within and beyond school.

Jigsaw sets out a progressive and sequential programme evidenced by the developmental learning intentions written into all the materials. The learning within our Jigsaw PSHE is challenging but child-centred. It allows students to focus on ‘the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life’; and as such underpins a broad and balanced curriculum offer. Cultural capital is at the heart of EVERY Jigsaw lesson, helping students to understand and navigate a rapidly changing 21st Century world.

Implementation of the PHSE Curriculum

Jigsaw brings together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. There are six Puzzles in Jigsaw that are designed to progress in sequence from Autumn to June/July; therefore, each puzzle is taught over a half term. These six puzzles are: 1.Being Me in My World, 2.Celebrating Difference, 3.Dreams and Goals, 4.Healthy Me, 5.Relationships, 6.Changing Me). Each Puzzle has six Pieces (lessons) which work towards an ‘end product’.

Each Piece (lesson) has two Learning Intentions: one is based on specific PSHE learning (covering the non-statutory national framework for PSHE Education and the statutory Relationships and Health Education guidance, but enhanced to address children’s needs today); and one is based on emotional literacy and social skills development to enhance children’s emotional and mental health. The enhancements mean that Jigsaw, the mindful  approach to PSHE, is relevant to children living in today’s world as it helps them understand and be equipped to cope with issues like body image, cyber and homophobic bullying, and internet safety. Every Piece (lesson) contributes to at least one of these aspects of children’s development. This is mapped on each Piece and balanced across each year group. Jigsaw sessions are current, relevant and responsive to the needs of our learners. Jigsaw’s wide range of child-centred activities ensure the learning is enjoyable for learners and teachers alike.

 Impact of the PHSE Curriculum

Children will have learned about rights and responsibilities to themselves and others and they will have developed a high degree of empathy and social skills. In the ‘Being Me in my World’ and ‘Dreams and Goals’ units, our learners will have focused on their attitudes towards learning, motivation and resilience and developed the skills and understanding to better these. The ‘Celebrating Difference’ unit will have supported our children in exploring differences across the spectrum of global society, prejudice and discrimination, acceptance and understanding; as a result our children will be tolerant and respectful.

Jigsaw PSHE will have supported the development of the skills, attitudes, values and behaviour, which will have enabled our learners to:

•          Have a sense of purpose

•          Value self and others

•          Form relationships

            Make and act on informed decisions

•          Communicate effectively

•          Work with others

•          Respond to challenge

•          Be an active partner in their own learning

•          Be active citizens within the local community

•          Explore issues related to living in a democratic society

•          Become healthy and fulfilled individuals