Intent
At Ferndown First School we believe that PSHE allows children the knowledge and understanding to play an active role and contribute positively to today’s diverse society and global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life.
We want our children to have high aspirations, a positive belief in themselves, enjoy healthy relationships and understand how to manage their health and wellbeing. 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. Children are encouraged to recognise and manage a range of emotions.
High quality PSHE develops children’s understanding of themselves as learners, building their resilience, helping them set goals and helping them managing the ups and downs of the learning process. This supports learning across all subjects.
Our Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy, positive relationships, both now and in their future lives.
In a nutshell, PSHE ‘Keeps us happy, healthy and safe’
Implementation
- PSHE is taught through the big ideas of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.
- In the Early Years Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship is 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 ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals.
- A commercial scheme ‘Jigsaw’ which is a spiral, progressive scheme of work is delivered over 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)
- PSHE lessons offer regular opportunities for children to develop their mindfulness, allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and regulate their emotions.
- All pupils have a weekly PSHE lesson. This takes place on a Monday, where possible, and is taught by the class teacher.
- Lessons have a consistent structure across the school.
- Share the Jigsaw Charter – Reinforces how we work together
- Connect us – Games involving working in partners/ groups/ class.
- Calm me – Helping our minds calm down so that we are ready to learn.
- Open my mind – A stimulus which prompts thinking and questioning.
- Tell me or show me – Children work in pairs, groups or class to discuss a question or scenario.
- Let me learn – Activity / Task
- Pause Point – (Please note: pause points will vary in order per lesson). Invite the children to stop, take some gentle, deep breaths and look inside to identify their feeling in this moment.
- Help me Reflect – Review the learning intentions from the lesson with the children.
- Our curriculum identifies links to British Values, and SMSC and is taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of our school. Our CARE values – Community, Aspiration, Respect and Excellence are enhanced through our PSHE curriculum.
- Whole school assembly themes are set each year that support our PSHE curriculum and school values.
- Jigsaw PSHE is fully compliant with the DfE Statutory Relationships Education, Sex Education and Health Education for primary schools.
Relationship & Sex Education (RSE)
- At Ferndown First School, Relationship & Sex Education (RSE) is taught through our PSHE curriculum scheme – Jigsaw.
- 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.
- RSE is taught throughout the year within the PSHE units and coverage has been carefully mapped out.
- Please see our RSE policy for further information.
Internet Safety
- Internet safety is taught through our computing, RSE and PSHE curriculum and through the support of online resources and visits from local PCSOs.
Drugs Education
- Our PSHE scheme covers drugs and alcohol education from Year 2 onwards. Themes are covered in a child friendly and age appropriate way.
- Themes covered include:
- Understanding how medicines work and how important it is to use them safely.
- Thinking about my knowledge and attitude towards drugs.
- The facts about smoking and its effects on health.
- The facts about alcohol and its effects on health, particularly the liver.
ELSA Support
- We have trained ELSA staff for children that may need additional support.
School events
- Anti-Bullying Week in November is recognised through our ‘No Put Down Week’ in collaboration with partner schools.
- NSPCC assemblies and visits from PSCO to raise awareness of personal safety, safe relationships and internet safety.
Developing Leadership Opportunities
- Children have opportunities to contribute to the wider school community by standing for a position in our School Council, Eco Committee and as Reading Leaders. These vacancies are voted in by children annually.
- Year 4 children are able to take in further leadership opportunities including Play Leaders and monitoring jobs.
Impact
Children at Ferndown First School will become individuals who:
- Are confident, tolerant and well-rounded adults.
- Are willing to try new things, work hard and understand that in order to become good at something there are no short cuts.
- Persevere, even when faced with bad luck, setbacks, failures, criticism or rejection and to try to find a way around these problems
- Are always trying to make things better and understand that there is always room for improvement.
- Understand others and use what they know to try to be useful to others. Instead of asking ‘What’s in it for me?’ they ask, ‘What can I give?’
- Can approach a range of real life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life.
- Are polite, considerate and respectful to both those familiar to them and those who are not.
- Have a sound understanding of the meaning and importance of our school values and the essential requirements for effective communication and the development of positive relationships
- Leave us well equipped to successfully embrace and enjoy the next stage in their learning journey as well as becoming an effective and happy contributor in today’s world.
