PSHE is at the core of what we do and enables our pupils to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society, as well as developing the ‘whole child’ intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. Through our whole-school approach to PSHE, it is our belief that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life. PSHE is taught across the school from Year 1 through to Year 9 on a weekly basis and as a school, we follow a thematic scheme of work in line with the PSHE Association. The topics are aligned across year groups so that units of work and pupils can be challenged and to also offer a whole school collaborative theme to promote community and a team work ethos around school.
Our PSHE curriculum equips pupils with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. With an ever-changing society, we are able to provide our pupils with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community.
Pupils across the year groups are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities. We have a very strong and proactive school council, with representatives from all year groups; they are the ‘pupil voice’ within the school. These initiatives are supported in assemblies, circle time and tutor time in a morning. 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. Weaving through the heart of our PSHE teaching is a commitment to enhance and promote our fundamental core values; positivity, determination, reflection and integrity alongside British Values: Respect, Democracy, Tolerance, Liberty and Law.
Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all pupils , regardless of background, ability, additional needs, and to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning
for all pupils.
The PSHE Association offers a comprehensive Programme for Primary and Secondary PSHE including statutory Relationships and Health Education, in a progressive and fully planned scheme of work, giving pupils relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others. The various teaching and learning activities are engaging and mindful of different learning styles and the need for differentiation. The PSHE programme directs our aim on developing the “whole child” through a spiral curriculum approach to developing knowledge, skills and understanding.
In addition to this, teachers have the freedom to plan with detail and attention to their individual pupils. Learners can be scaffolded, and any individual needs can be supported where necessary. Work is differentiated if needed to ensure that all pupils can access the learning. A 30 minute year group tutor time session and assembly themes are focused around key PSHE themes, both locally and nationally.
However, due to the nature of the subject, most of the units are based around discussion and reflection leading to a creative outcome. The summative assessment process offers criteria for pupils either working at, beyond or towards the age-related expectations. Assessment in PSHE is both formative and summative.
Cultural capital is at the heart of all our PSHE lessons, helping our pupils navigate through the ever-changing world around them. Citizenship at school, community and global levels are a vital part of our PSHE lessons, providing knowledge and skill development for all pupils. Cultural capital can be seen through the units taught, including; ‘Relationships’, ‘Living in the Wider World’ ‘and ‘Health and Wellbeing’ that are taught in every year group.
Additional to this, the Theraputic Team and Safeguarding Team are working alongside the Assistant Headteacher of Teaching and Learning to establish a Thrive programme to interventions and to deliver personalised interventions to pupils that require additional support with specific units in the PSHE curriculum.
Our vision is for our pupils is to leave as happy individuals who are informed but curious learners that show respect and tolerance to the diverse society living in Modern Britain today, having a broad and thorough knowledge of different religions, cultures and British Values. To have a strong self-awareness, interlinked with compassion of others and to have an appreciation of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse, multicultural society. They will have the ability and knowledge of how to keep themselves safe, (physically, virtually, mentally and socially) and make informed decisions about their lifestyles, mental and physical health, develop good relationships and aspirations. Our pupils will have a ready willingness and ability to try new things, push themselves and persevere. Our vision will become embedded into the pupil’s conscience and it will be integrated into their everyday life.
Impact will be monitored through learning walks, pupil voice, parental engagement days, and leadership mapping meetings. Once Thrive has been established this data will support with the SEND support for all pupils balancing out their personalised curriculum package with academic opportunites.
