PSHE

The Curriculum Leader for PSHE is: Miss S Baker

Intent

At The Redstart Primary School the principal aim of PSHE is to allow pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life past education.

In line with the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010 we cover the three core themes of PSHE, health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world. It is our intent that all children will be lifelong learners with the confidence and ability to develop their skills and understanding when having new experiences, meeting new challenges and finding themselves in unfamiliar situations. We offer a nurturing learning environment in which each child is encouraged to develop their full potential and where their achievements and successes are celebrated and rewarded. As a school, we believe that children are all individuals and, therefore, we aim to encourage mutual respect, responsibility and foster self-esteem in a happy and caring atmosphere. To further this aim we have as a school adopted four values to be at the core of school life:

• Respect
• Consideration
• Purpose
• Honesty

These are referred to constantly in school assemblies, as well as being part of the ethos of the school.

We believe that as well as being academically successful, it is just as important that children develop an awareness of themselves as individuals, of how to get along with other people, the importance of good relationships, and an awareness of a person as part of a community.

Although there is no statutory PSHE program of study, we agree that PSHE education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. In line with the National Curriculum we aim to:

• equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions.
• teach at an appropriate level relationship, sex and health education (RSE).
• emphasise the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Implementation

At Redstart PSHE is taught in a number of ways:

• In discrete class lessons using the Jigsaw program of study. It develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society and the global community. It is embedded throughout all lessons and the whole school day with everyone supporting and encouraging the children they interact with to use the skills they are developing and to make links to other areas of learning. Jigsaw deals with the diverse beliefs, values and attitudes that individuals and societies hold. It helps pupils to develop themselves, their understanding of the world, and their ability to communicate their feelings. Children at Redstart also acquire an understanding and experiences of British values that are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences, value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and feel confident and informed as a British citizen.
• In assemblies we focus on one of the school’s values and how these influence our own behaviour and the way we treat others.
• Through our Forest School initiative – each class spends a day a fortnight working outside in our Forest School grounds. Here there is an emphasis on learning how to work in small and large groups and how to learn respect for each other and the environment.
• The children are encouraged to support the local community through singing for local groups, being involved in events such as litter-picking and raising money for charities.

Impact

The impact of PSHE at Redstart is seen in a number of ways.

• Behaviour of the children in class, in corridors and in the playground.
• At The Redstart Primary School we seek to ensure that the PSHE we teach improves the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of pupils. Through our PSHE education, we believe that we can enhance children’s education and to help them to become caring, respectful, aspirational and confident individuals. Providing a consistent and regular delivery of Jigsaw allows us to fulfil this alongside events such as assemblies, visits from people who keep us safe such as firefighters and members of the police force.
• Learning walks undertaken by the PSHE lead and the school curriculum lead.
• Lesson observations
• Book scrutinise carried out by the PSHE lead and the school curriculum lead.
• Discussions with children.

Records of these are kept on the school drive.