PHSE/RSE

Our intention is that when children leave St Mary’s, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. 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.

 Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a 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. Our Relationships and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We ensure we cover the Health and Well-Being, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities set out in the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which comprehensively cover the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance. 

Pupils are taught PSHE using ‘Jigsaw’ which is a spiral, progressive scheme of work, covering all of the above and 'aims to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world’. There is a strong emphasis on emotional Literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. It includes mindfulness to allow children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

At St Mary’s, in addition to Relationships Education, we also teach aspects of Sex Education that is covered in our science curriculum. 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. The Sex Education aspects of PSHE are also taught through the ‘Jigsaw’ scheme of work.

PSHE is taught through Jigsaw’s 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)

It also identifies links to British Values, and SMSC and is taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of the school.

School Ethos, Values and Wider Curriculum 

·           PSHE, including SMSC and BV, is an integral part of our whole school ethos and wider curriculum. PSHE can be found as a golden thread running through everything we do in school, such as in our overall school values of Hope, Wisdom, Respect and Community, in our weekly values as well as in our overarching school rules of ‘Be ready, Be safe and Be respectful’.

·         Visitors such as emergency services and the school nurse complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning. Our school link with Starfish Malawi also complements our PSHE curriculum; helping children to understand their role as part of a global community.

·         We encourage our pupils to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. We challenge all of our pupils to look for opportunities to show the school values of wisdom, hope, community and respect.

·         Assemblies are linked to PSHE, British Values and SMSC and cover any additional sessions that would benefit the whole school.                                                        

·         PSHE, BV and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.

By the time our children leave our school they will:

·         be able to approach a range of real life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life

·         be on their way to becoming healthy, open minded, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society

·         appreciate difference and diversity

·         recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty

·         be  able to understand and manage their emotions

·         be able to look after their mental health and well-being

·         be able to develop positive, healthy relationship with their peers both now and in the future.

·          understand the physical aspects involved in RSE at an age appropriate level

·          have respect for themselves and others.

·          have a positive self esteem