PSHE
Our Curriculum Threads:
Our curriculum threads are woven through our PSHE curriculum as it:
Focuses on the WISDOM & WONDER which can be found in each and every individual person as well as the Wisdom & Wonder that we can all find through building positive friendships with each other. Our PSHE actively encourages children to participate in whole-class and small group discussion as a significant element within all PSHE lessons, improving and developing their LANGUAGE & ORACY. This is particularly intrinsic within many of the PSHE lessons that ask children to listen and respond respectfully to others’ different experiences, feelings and opinions. In this way, our PSHE curriculum supports children to understand and explore DIVERSITY & INCLUSION both within their classes as well as within the school community and the wider world for which we are aiming to equip them for (particularly as part of the units ‘Me and My Relationships, Valuing Difference and Rights & Respect’). Throughout our PSHE curriculum children are enabled to reflect upon the wide range of factors that can contribute to their own and others’ HEALTH & HAPPINESS, equipping them with the skills needed for good mental health and wellbeing and the positive learning behaviours which can contribute to life-long success and happiness.
Intent
The PSHE Association (the national body for personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education) states that PSHE is:
‘the school curriculum subject that supports pupils to be healthy, safe and prepared for modern life. PSHE education incorporates health education, relationships education/RSE and economic wellbeing and careers’
At Winkfield St Mary’s PSHE is an integral part of our everyday curriculum and experience for all children. It forms the foundation of all that we do in school. It is or intent that PSHE is intrinsically linked to both our school values (REACH) and our Christian ethos and mission statement, “…I have come that they may have life and live it to the full.” (John, 10:10) PSHE is planned for and taught both in timetabled sessions from Reception to Y6 as well as being a thread within all staff, pupil and parent experiences and interactions.
At WSM it is or intent that PSHE:
- Give pupils the knowledge and develop the self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness to make informed choices and decisions;
- Encourage and support the development of social skills and social awareness;
- Enable pupils to make sense of their own personal and social experiences;
- Promote responsible attitudes towards the maintenance of good physical and mental health, supported by a safe and healthy lifestyle;
- Enable effective interpersonal relationships and develop a caring attitude towards others;
- Encourage a caring attitude towards and responsibility for the environment;
- Help our pupils understand and manage their feelings, build resilience and be independent, curious problem solvers;
- Understand how society works and the laws, rights and responsibilities involved.
Implementation
At Winkfield St Mary’s school we use SCARF; Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship, a comprehensive scheme of work for PSHE and Wellbeing education (provided by Coram Life Education www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk). With this scheme our PSHE teaching and learning is supported by the use of the planning, resources and annual wellbeing online workshops provided by Coram Life Education which helps to ensure a broad, rich and challenging curriculum for all. We have chosen SCARF as our PSHE resource because the lessons build upon children’s prior learning and has a spiral nature meaning that each half term the same unit is taught across the whole school at an age-appropriate level:
The SCARF programme divides the year into 6 themed units:
- Me and My Relationships: includes content on feelings, emotions, conflict resolution and friendships;
- Valuing Difference: a focus on respectful relationships and British values;
- Keeping Myself Safe: looking at keeping ourselves healthy and safe
- Rights and Responsibilities: learning about money, living the wider world and the environment;
- Being My Best: developing skills in keeping healthy, developing a growth mindset (resilience), goal-setting and achievement;
- Growing and Changing: finding out about the human body, the changes that take place from birth to old age and being safe.
There is planned progression across the SCARF scheme of work, so that children are increasingly and appropriately challenged as they move through the school. Staff receive regular training delivered by our PSHE lead (Helen Evans) to make sure they are equipped and confident to deliver all aspects of PSHE. This was particularly relevant during 2020-2021 with the changes to the curriculum to include Health & Relationships education.
Impact:
We measure the impact of PSHE in the following ways:
- Observing children speaking and listening and taking part in discussion-based activities
- Marking of written work
- Learning Walks
- Whole class scrapbook evidence for PSHE (displayed in each classroom)
- End of unit assessments
The PSHE subject leader will continually monitor the impact PSHE teaching is having on the children’s learning to ensure the progress of knowledge and skills is being taught.
Through our PSHE, both implicit and explicit, we intend that all children will develop as confident and successful individuals who are respectful and accepting towards others, ready to speak up and deal with challenges that come their way both now, at Secondary school and as future adult citizens. Ultimately, we are aware and vigilant of the importance of equipping children with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live safe, healthy and productive lives which enable all individuals to achieve their personal and academic happiness and potential.
Please read our PSHE policy below - the appendices are also listed separately for your information.