PSHE
"We strive for all children to be the best that they can be and for them to understand their own rights and responsibilities in the world around them. We are committed to providing inclusive opportunities to allow children to pursue excellence, enjoy learning, be healthy and happy."
Intent
Our intention is that when children leave Chestnuts, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world; and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being.
Our PSHE curriculum develops children’s wider learning both in and outside of school. It results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences they may encounter in later life. Our Relationships and Sex Education enable our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.
Implementation
EYFS - In the Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship are taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Birth to 5 matters’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals. Reception also uses the Jigsaw Scheme of Work materials. (See below)
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - At Key Stage 1 and 2, PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We ensure that we cover the Health and Well-Being, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities set out in the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which comprehensively cover the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance.
Pupils are taught PSHE using ‘Jigsaw’ which is a spiral, progressive scheme of work, covering all of the above. It 'aims to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world’. There is a strong emphasis on emotional Literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. It includes mindfulness to allow children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.
In addition to Relationships Education, we also teach aspects of Sex Education, that are covered in our Science Curriculum. Once the child starts school they will learn more about their body in the context of the natural world: how it works and how to look after themselves as they grow, as well as understanding how animals and plants reproduce. In this way, the topic forms part of their broader education rather than something special or difficult. Additionally, with many children experiencing signs of the onset of puberty during primary school, it is important they learn about what is happening and why. Children are taught the basic facts about puberty and human reproduction before they go to secondary school, for their own safety and wellbeing.
Alongside this we teach about different kinds of relationships, including same sex relationships, and gender identity because it is important that our children should have an understanding of the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain. The Sex Education aspects of PSHE are also taught through the ‘Jigsaw’scheme.
PSHE is taught through Jigsaw’s six half termly themes with each year group studying the same unit at the same time (at their own level):
Autumn 1: Being Me in My World
Autumn 2: Differences (including anti-bullying)
Spring 1: Dreams and Goals
Spring 2: Healthy Me
Summer 1: Relationships
Summer 2: Changing Me (including Sex Education)
Wider Curriculum
- We believe that focusing on developing a 'Growth Mindset' in our children will help them to build resilience, independence and confidence; embrace challenge; foster a love of learning; and increase their level of happiness. We do this through the language we use in class, praising children for their efforts, and using language to encourage children to change their way of thinking. This supports both our school and PSHE aims and values, and we focus on Growth Mindsets in all aspects of school life.
- PSHE, including Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development and British Values, are an integral part of the whole school curriculum, and are therefore often taught within other subject areas.
- Visitors such as the emergency services, the school nurse, inspirational figures (e.g. Olympic Athlete) and advocates for well-being (e.g. Yoga and Meditation Teacher) complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning.
- We encourage our pupils to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. We challenge all of our pupils to look for opportunities to show the school values of being:
- Ambitious and Creative
- Responsible and Respectful
- Compassionate and Curious
- Resilient and Tolerant
- Assemblies are linked to PSHE, British Values and SMSC and cover any additional sessions that would benefit the whole school.
- Children are celebrated through weekly certificated ‘Star Assembly’ and by sending home postcards when children have demonstrated how they are showing the school values.
- PSHE, BV and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.
- We participate in Haringey Schools events that promote well-being (such as Healthy Schools Xplorer Park Challenge) as well as National events (such as Anti-bullying Week).
- We promote a continuity of PSHE values at home as well as at school- opportunities for whole family well-being events are communicated to parents through school newsletters and the school website (such as Emotional Wellbeing Webinars). Events such as ‘International Evening’ are held to celebrate our school community.
- Children are given the time to consider their own feelings and needs through the whole school use of the ‘Zones of Regulation.’