PSHE

Intent                                                                                                                                                                 

Our PSHE curriculum has been designed to incorporate all aspects of SMSC, Citizenship, British Values, as well as the statutory content of the RSHE programme of study. Our intention is that when children leave Gosbecks, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in a diverse society. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, at 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.

We want our pupils to:

• develop the knowledge, skills and understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and safe (including online.)
• become responsible global citizens.
• build positive, healthy and respectful relationships with others.
• develop their mental and physical wellbeing.
• show tolerance towards others-their beliefs, religions and life choices and to respect their differences.
• be resilient and to make the most of their own abilities.
• develop self-confidence and be able to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions with others.

In September 2020 it became compulsory for schools to teach the Relationships and Health Education aspects of PSHE. The new statutory requirements do not extend to sex education (beyond the biological/reproductive aspects that are required in our Science curriculum,) however the Department for Education strongly encourages primary schools to deliver age-appropriate sex education. As part of Relationships, Sex and Health Education at our school, children will learn about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, including the changes that take place at puberty. It will provide our children with the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to, friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other peers and adults. Children also learn how to keep themselves safe and to ask for help when they need it.

Implementation

Our whole school curriculum and ethos is built upon our Gosbecks Golden Goals which are Be Kind, Show Respect and Make Good Choices. These run as termly themes which are connected to half termly values: caring, cooperative, resilient, responsible, courage and aspirational, all  chosen by our school community. These values encompass all areas of our curriculum and run through every aspect of school life.

Our curriculum provides our children with a variety of experiences and opportunities to enrich their personal and social development and their economic education. These may include assemblies, cross curricular teaching, fund raising and charity events-interaction with members of the local community, clubs, extra-curricular activities such as outdoor pursuits and team building, the School Council, visiting speakers and professionals, visits to places of interest, residentials and themed days. Our Gosbecks Jigsaw helps us to ensure that all children receive an education that equips them with cultural capital so that they are prepared for their next stage in learning.

When teaching PSHE lessons from EYFS to Year 6, we use SCARF, a comprehensive programme of work for PSHE and wellbeing education. SCARF stands for Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship and promotes positive behaviour, mental health, wellbeing, resilience and achievement. It also covers all of the DfE’s new statutory requirements for Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education.

The SCARF programme divides the year into 6 themed units:  

1. Me and My Relationships: content on feelings, emotions, conflict resolution and friendships.  
2. Valuing Difference: a focus on respectful relationships and British values.  
3. Keeping Myself Safe: looking at keeping ourselves healthy and safe.  
4. Rights and Responsibilities: learning about money, living the wider world and the environment.  
5. Being My Best: developing skills in keeping healthy, developing a growth mindset (resilience), goal-setting and achievement.  
6. Growing and Changing: finding out about the human body, the changes that take place from birth to old age and being safe, including on and offline and keeping our bodies safe. 

We follow the six suggested half termly units and adapt the programme of work where necessary to meet the needs and requirements of all of our children. Sometimes this is adapted because of a specific need of the class e.g. bereavement, but plans are also adapted because of current affairs.

In 2023, we are also using the ‘No Outsiders’ programme of books to enhance our PSHE curriculum. This teaches the children about the importance of ‘British Values’; to respect and accept difference and diversity using the Equality Act 2010 (British Law) as a solid foundation. Each half term, in each year group, a different book is read with a different theme that aims to promote community cohesion, stop bullying, radicalisation and prepare young people and adults for life as global citizens.

Through weekly timetabled PSHE lessons children have access to key and accurate knowledge, language and meanings. They will develop their understanding of PSHE and will be given opportunities to explore and challenge a range of values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities. They will develop a range of skills and strategies to live a healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced life.

Our PSHE curriculum is taught in a variety of ways and a range of teaching strategies are used such as: circle time, role-play, discussions (whole class, individual, small group or in pairs,) stories e.g. exploring behaviour of characters, creative activities, and pupil-initiated activities. Visitors such as the emergency services, medical and health professionals offer additional learning and complement our PSHE curriculum.

For pupils in Early Years, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is a prime area of learning, which supports their learning in all other areas. In Early Years it is about making connections and is strongly linked to play. It supports children to learn to get on with others and make friends, understand and talk about feelings, learn about ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, develop independence and ultimately feel good about themselves and is an integral part of the daily school life. 

All teaching in PSHE will take place in a safe learning environment and be underpinned by our school ethos and values. Lessons will be age-appropriate and a variety of opportunities will be provided for pupils to ask questions to further their understanding and to find out more about what affects them personally.

PSHE will also be covered in Computing lessons –this will include teaching pupils how to be safe online, and about cyberbullying. Our approach to this subject is kept flexible, so that we can address any local or national issues that may impact upon children, when they arise.

Impact

We believe that our whole curriculum, including PSHE lessons, is the key to our children becoming confident, respectful, resilient, high achieving, tolerant and responsible members of society. The promotion of our pupils’ personal development at Gosbecks Primary school is at the heart of everything that we do. It is a fundamental aspect of their education and underpins all other learning.

Please click on the image below to see the book list for No Outsiders.

Information for pareadmin@gosbecks.essex.sch.uknts is provided if you click on the picture below and if parents would like to come and see the resources that we use in school, they should contact the office