PSHE and RSE

Curriculum Intent

We aim to provide pupils with the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values and skills they need in order to reach their potential as individuals and within the community. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities. In doing so they learn to recognise their own worth, work well with others and become increasingly responsible for their own learning. We encourage our children to reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up.

We intend for our children to learn to understand and respect our common humanity; diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life and learning. In our school we choose to deliver Personal, Social, Health Education (including Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education) using three main themes: ‘Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World’. These themes cover the statutory guidance outlined by the Department for Education and support our school values.

Curriculum Implementation

• PSHE lessons take place in class for an hour a week. This may be a one-hour session or a session split into 2 half hour segments.
• PSHE themes are also covered through our whole school ‘values’ assemblies.
• Teachers deliver the PSHE curriculum with the support of the PSHE Association, their programme of study, ‘programme builders’ and their quality marked resources. At Wooburn Green Primary School we use the ‘Question-based model’ as outlined by the PSHE Association. The PSHE programme of study is structured around an overarching question for each term. These begin in KS1 as ‘What?’ and ‘Who?’ questions and build throughout KS2 into ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’ questions.
• Just like in any lesson, teachers draw upon resources to support the learning of all pupils in regards to ability or SEND need. This could come in the form of having smaller group discussions or using story books which supplement the key theme/message being taught within a lesson.

Having the PSHE Association programme of study, ‘programme builders’ and access to their wealth of resources, helps guide and support teachers whilst teaching topics which may create debate or answering difficult questions from pupils. Having this resource allows teachers to plan and prepare for any questions which may arise and have a quality assured resource in place to refer to, to ensure personal beliefs and attitudes do not influence teaching.

At Wooburn Green Primary School we benefit from being a member of the PSHE Association. Therefore, if any teachers are unsure about their ability to teach certain areas of the PSHE curriculum, they have access to up to date key guidance, the ability to exchange ideas within a community of dedicated practitioners and most importantly, can get support from subject experts via phone or email.

SMSC and British Values

We aim to promote and develop pupils’ SMSC understanding through the PSHE curriculum:

Spiritual

• Pupils explore the their own beliefs, dreams and ambitions in life and have the opportunity to reflect on how to achieve their set goals
• Pupils are taught to respect and learn more about other people, their values and beliefs

Moral

• Pupils are encouraged to comment on moral questions and dilemmas raised throughout the PSHE curriculum
• Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their role in society and how they impact others in a variety of ways
• Pupils are taught to develop open mindedness when considering the actions and decisions of people

Social

• Oracy opportunities are planned in to encourage pupils to listen, respond, challenge and debate ideas appropriately with their peers
• Opportunities for independent, paired and group work are planned to improve pupils’ own social development
• Pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. For example, making responsible decisions about alcohol, to succeeding in their first job

Cultural

• Pupils are taught to respect and value difference in our community and the wider world and how we are able to learn and grow together
• Pupils are encouraged to gain an understanding of and empathy with, people who hold different opinions to their own
• Diversity is celebrated throughout the PSHE curriculum

We aim to promote British values and make real life links to British Values through our PSHE curriculum:

• The question-based model for each topic/unit of work within PSHE allows pupils to question, reflect and create discussion about the wider world they live in.
• British values, including those of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different beliefs are embedded in the PSHE curriculum.
• Pupils have the opportunity to discuss and appreciate what it means to live in the wider world, what it means to belong to a group/community and respect the similarities and differences between people
• By talking about healthy relationships and what makes a good friend throughout both KS1 and KS2, pupils develop an understanding of what it means to be courteous, to respect themselves and others
• We teach pupils to respect and value diversity through showing respect for different viewpoints and ideas as well as in the ability to work effectively together both individually and in groups.

Assessment Information

As we use the ‘Question-based model’ as outlined by the PSHE Association to deliver our PSHE curriculum at Wooburn Green, these key questions are asked at the beginning and end of each unit. Within KS1, teachers are able to support children in recording their ideas to these questions within whole class, small group and one to one discussion both at the beginning and end of each unit. In KS2, there is the expectation that children are to reflect on their own thoughts and opinions and record these into their PSHE books at the beginning and end of each unit.

It is hoped through the unit of teaching that the children are then able to answer these questions in more depth, drawing upon what has been taught throughout the unit. Having children answer these questions at the beginning of a unit of work also supports the teacher in understanding the pitch and starting point for each unit. This way we are able to tailor the PSHE curriculum to the needs of the children within our school, to support them in becoming well rounded citizens and assess their understanding throughout each unit of work.

Impact:

Our pupils leave school with a good understanding about how to stay safe, how to be healthy and how to develop positive relationships. Our pupils are well behaved, polite and respectful members of the school community who try hard to model our six school values: kindness, positivity, perseverance, compassion, respect and community spirit. They understand what it means to belong to to a multi-cultural  and diverse society.

Key Subject Documents: