Implementation
The scheme of work has three core themes, the same for each key stage which builds upon previous learning. Due to having mixed year groups topics are taught on a two-year cycle. Each core theme is divided up into three topic areas:
Core Theme 1: Relationships
Topic areas:
• Families and friendships
• Safe relationships
• Respecting ourselves and others
• Core Theme 2: Living in the wider world
Topic areas:
• Belonging to a community
• Media literacy and digital resilience
• Money and work
• Core Theme 3: Health and Wellbeing
Topic areas:
• Physical health and Mental wellbeing
• Growing and changing
• Keeping safe
• Whilst PSHE is split into three separate core themes, there will always be extensive overlap. PSHE education addresses both pupils’ direct experience and preparation for their future. Therefore, we feel it is important to provide a spiral programme of knowledge, skills and attribute development, where prior learning is revisited, reinforced and extended in age and key stage appropriate contexts. The content has been adapted and tailored to the specific needs of our school.
Content and Organisation
PSHE (which includes Sex and Relationships Education) will be taught weekly, through discrete lesson time and through other National Curriculum subjects, e.g. Science, RE, Literacy. It will be delivered by teachers and other relevant outside agencies e.g. School Nurse, Community Police (stranger danger). Correct terminology will be used in class to avoid confusion. For example, Key Stage 1 Science and PSHE lessons will include naming external parts of the body including sexual organs.
Our curriculum has whole school activities and events embedded throughout. We have themed weeks such as Kindness Week, whole school events, visiting speakers, home learning linked to PSHE and a variety of clubs on offer (e.g Mindfulness Club). A variety of teaching methods will be used including discussion, worksheet, stories, videos, and circle time activities. There is an opportunity to attend the Key Stage 2 residential trip where the focus is on developing pupil’s self-esteem, improving mental health, resilience, growth mindset, developing independence, leadership skills and positive teamwork.
Resources
Resources used will be appropriate to the maturity and understanding of children. Resources will be inclusive in terms of images, language, and learning styles and will avoid racism, sexism, gender, and transphobic stereotyping. We incorporate and respect and tolerance in social, moral, spiritual, and cultural issues, encouraging our children to think about their place and roles as citizens. We include the five British Values within all our teaching to establish a safe and effective school environment. Physical resources are stored in a shared cupboard in school. The school is a member of the PSHE Association, an excellent website which is endorsed by the DfE and includes curriculum guidance, lesson plans, resources, and CPD training and this is well used online resource.
Dealing with questions
The SRE aspect of the PSHE programme, children will be encouraged to ask questions, this could be using an ‘ask it’ basket anonymously or generally as part of a lesson. Some questions may need further consideration and as such do not need to be answered directly. Questions will be answered sensitively, honestly, and appropriate to the age and understanding of children, either in class, individually or referring to the child’s parent.
Disclosure
Teachers are aware that effective PSHE and RSE can raise many discussions and reflections. For instance, it brings an understanding of what is and what is not appropriate in a relationship for example and this can lead to a disclosure of a child protection issue. Visitors/external agencies which support the delivery of PSHE will be accompanied and any disclosures that may be made can be followed up by the trained staff in school. All staff will consult with the designated safeguarding lead or in their absence and this will be followed up in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy.
EYFS Teaching
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, PSHE is taught as an integral part of the topic/themed work covered during the year. It is related to the PSHE aspects of the children’s work to the areas of learning set out in the EYFS guidance to develop a child’s personal, emotional and social development. This is also supported through other areas of learning such as Understanding the World and Communication and Language. In particular, the Nursery staff place focus on ‘PSHE’ linked strands of the EYFS profile as it is a Prime Area of Learning. (For EYFS Ages and Stages see Appendix 1)
Teaching PSHE to children with SEND
All pupils, regardless of their needs must be part of PSHE & RSE lessons, as it is an important part of developing healthy relationships with their peers. We will respect pupils’ unique starting points by providing learning opportunities that are matched to the individual needs of all children, including those who are gifted and talented or have learning difficulties. When teaching PSHE we consider the targets set for the children in their Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), some of which may be directly related to PSHE targets. For gifted and talented pupils, we will provide additional opportunities to take responsibility, develop leadership skills, think creatively and use their talents for the good of the class or the wider community.
Equality and Diversity
At The Gates Primary School, PSHE education is accessible to every pupil. Teaching will take into account the ability, age, readiness, religious and cultural backgrounds of our young people and those with English as a second language to ensure that all can fully access our PSHE education provision, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
PSHE and ICT
Learning in PSHE will compliment learning in Computing, where the children will develop a sense of global citizenship by safe use of the internet. There is an e-safety policy for all pupils, which aims to develop a set of safe and discriminating behaviours for pupils to adopt when using the internet and other technologies. Through discussion of safety and other issues related to electronic communication, the children develop their own view about the use and misuse of ICT, and they also gain an insight into the interdependence of ICT users around the world. Children will also have the opportunity to discuss the reliability of content on the internet, have discussions around to identify potential risks of personal information being misused. They will learn a range of strategies for dealing with requests for personal information or images of themselves and learn how to report the misuse of personal information or sharing of upsetting content/ images online.