Intent                                                                                                                                                             

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 high self-esteem and good mental health and well-being.

Our PSHE curriculum promotes our school drivers, community, whole child and communication.

Community -

British Values, Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance and Liberty are all essential to a functioning community and are covered as part of our PSHE programme.

Whole Child - 

PSHE is a programme designed around the development of the whole child. Our main themes are Growing and Changing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.

Communication - 

Our PSHE and RSE programme have discrete lessons on how to communicate effectively with others, how to solve disputes, how to understand other people's feelings and how to communicate their own feelings.

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.

Implementation       

EYFS - In the Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals. Personal, social and emotional development helps children to develop a positive sense of themselves and to have confidence in their own abilities. Helps children to form positive relationships, develop their social skills and learn how to manage their own feelings. 

We cover this continually through our play-based learning. We also have weekly focused PSED sessions, and the focus changes each half term. For example, talking about feelings, healthy bodies, friendships.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - At Key Stage 1 and 2, PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We ensure we cover Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities are set out in our programme of study supported by the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which comprehensively covers the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance.  

Pupils are taught PSHE as a spiral, progressive plan 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.

PSHE is taught through three termly themes with each year group studying the same unit at the same time (at their own level):

Autumn - Theme 1: Health and Wellbeing

Spring - Theme 2: Relationships

Summer - Theme 3: Living in the Wider World

(From Y4 - Y6, the Growing and Changing (puberty) topics are deferred until the summer term as directed by the diocese.)

The curriculum 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.

Wider Curriculum  

• We believe that focusing on developing a 'Growth Mindset' in our children will help them to build resilience, independence and confidence; embrace challenge; foster a love of learning; and increase their level of happiness. We do this through the language we use in class, praising children for their efforts, established learning behaviours and using language to encourage children to change their way of thinking. This supports both our school and PSHE aims and values.
• PSHE, including SMSC and BV (British Values), is an integral part of the whole school curriculum, and is therefore often taught within another subject area.
• Visitors such as emergency services and the school nurse complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning opportunities.          
• 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 faith, hope and love.                                                                                                                  
• 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 in school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.

Impact

The impact of our PSHE Curriculum will visibly demonstrate our three drivers of community, whole child and communication, developed and reflected in our pupils behaviours and attitudes.

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 wellbeing
• Be able to develop positive, healthy relationships 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.