PSHE
Subject Leader - Mrs Alicia Isaac
Link governor - Ms Helen Milbourn
Curriculum Intent
At St John’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that teaching personal, social, health and economic (PHSE) education is integral to providing a broad and balanced curriculum. We recognise that high quality PSHE education is fundamental in preparing children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in life, supporting the well-being of children throughout their time in education and into adult life. PSHE sessions aim to help children understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up, enabling children to appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society in Britain.
At St John’s we believe that PSHE plays a vital part of primary education and needs to be taught weekly. This enables staff to ensure full coverage of PSHE, RSE and SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) is taught. There are occasions where teachers may feel it’s necessary to teach PSHE as a result of an issue arisen in their own class and this is always encouraged.
Various components make up the PSHE module at St Johns as we understand that the delivered curriculum must reflect the unique and individual needs of our school and community. Combining schemes of work with learning gems, Thrive and external agencies, we have devised a learning model which we feel is tailored to our students and school ethos which will promote individuality.
You can click here to read the full PSHE intent statement.
Curriculum Implementation
The Jigsaw scheme is based upon a whole school approach to PSHE which is progressive and sequential. The scheme is structured into 6 half-termly units of work, mapped out like puzzle pieces. These comprise of the units; 'Being Me in My World', Celebrating Differences', 'Dreams and Goals', 'Healthy Me', 'Relationships' and 'Changing Me'. There are 6 Jigsaw puzzle friends, one for each year group. Every year group works on the same theme each half term. This enables progression and for the learning message to be reinforced through whole school activities, such as assemblies which link in learning gems and Thrive and British Values.
Due to the structure of our school and to ensure that all of the curriculum is delivered, the scheme is taught in a two year cycle:
Cycle A which includes EYFS, Year 1, Year 3, and and Year 5.
Cycle B which includes EYFS, Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6.
As a Catholic school, we use both Jigsaw and ‘Life to the Full’ by ‘Ten Ten’ to deliver RSE in our school. Ten Ten is a Catholic educational organisation that is well-respected and very experienced in this field of work, this scheme has been approved by our diocese. All the sessions are age-appropriate and meet the needs of all pupils in the class. The Life to the Full programme is based on ‘A Model Catholic RSE Curriculum’ by the Catholic Education Service, which was highlighted as a work of good practice by the Department of Education. Therefore, we have confidence that the combining both Jigsaw and Ten Ten schemes of work it will be fit for purpose in supporting the growth and development of the children at St Johns.
In addition, at St John's, we recognise how important it is to understand our own mental health, and be able to have strategies in place to support us when needed. In September 2023, we introduced The Mental Health Toolkit, created by Unique Voice. This trauma-informed programme has been developed in line with Ofsted guidance and the PSHE curriculum, allowing us to teach it alongside our vureent programmes of study. Resources for parents and carers have been shared, and are also available below. The children learn emotional regulation strategies, through an engaging group of animated animals who go through an 'Adventure on the Inside.'
Jigsaw
The Jigsaw scheme of work consists of six half-term units of work (Puzzles), each containing six lessons (Pieces) covering each academic year. Every Piece has two Learning Intentions, one specific to PSHE (including Relationships and Health Education) and the other designed to develop emotional literacy and social skills.
Jigsaw Knowledge Planners
Cycle A (EYFS, Year 1, 3 and 5)
Being in my World Celebrating Difference Dreams and Goals Healthy Me Relationships Changing Me
Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1
Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 3
Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 5
Cycle B (EYFS, Year 2, 4 and 6)
Being in my World Celebrating Difference Dreams and Goals Healthy Me Relationships Changing Me
Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2 Year 2
Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 4
Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 Year 6
British Values Knowledge Planner taught through Jigsaw
All schools are required by law to promote the fundamental British values of: democracy. the rule of law. individual liberty. mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. This is taught through Jigsaw, assemblies throughout the year, and through work of the School Council. Please find the British Values mapping document, below.
British Values through Jigsaw Programme
RSE
As we combine both Jigsaw and 'Life to the Full’ by ‘Ten Ten’ some lessons are substituted to ensure curriculum coverage as well as suiting the needs of our children. Below you will see a plan for term 5 and 6 RSE:
Adverntures on the Inside
The therapeutic, animated film called ‘Adventures on the Inside’ frames the 6-week programme, giving the lessons a focus on the characters who go on a journey of emotional discovery. The teaching materials have been carefully designed to explore key concepts around emotions and regulation strategies. Children develop their own personal toolkit of strategies to help regulate their emotions, the benefits of which will reach far beyond the classroom walls.
Years 3/4 Parent pages and home activities
Years 5/6 Parent pages and home activities
