Curriculum Statement: PSHE

Intent

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) are an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. Through a planned programme of learning, we aim to provide our pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need in order to manage their lives both now and in the future. As part of a whole school approach, we aim to develop the attributes our pupils need to thrive as individuals, as part of a family and as a confident member of the wider community.

The school’s PSHE provision supports the school’s aims of developing confident citizens and successful learners who are creative, resourceful and able to identify and solve problems. The social and emotional development of pupils is embedded throughout the entire school’s curriculum and culture. The school has a powerful combination of a planned thematic PSHE program, built around a spiral curriculum of recurring themes, designed to:

• Give pupils the knowledge and develop their self-esteem, confidence and self-awareness to make informed choices and decisions;
• Encourage and support the development of social skills and social awareness;
• Enable pupils to make sense of their own personal and social experiences;
• Promote responsible attitudes towards the maintenance of good physical and mental health, supported by a safe and healthy lifestyle;
• Enable effective interpersonal relationships and develop a caring attitude towards others;
• Encourage a caring attitude towards and responsibility for the environment;
• Help our pupils understand and manage their feelings, build resilience and be independent, curious problem solvers;
• Understand how society works and the laws, rights and responsibilities involved.

Implementation

At Gisburn Primary school we use SCARF, a comprehensive scheme of work for PSHE. It covers all of the DfE's new statutory requirements for Relationships Education and Health Education, including non-statutory Sex Education, Mental Health, British Values and the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study’s recommended learning opportunities, as well as contributing to different subject areas in the National Curriculum.

Establishing a safe, open and positive learning environment based on trusting relationships between all members of the class, adults and children alike, is vital to successful and effective teaching and learning within this subject.

Working with parents is a vital part of the whole school approach to PSHE. Parents are regularly informed of events and developments on the school website and school newsletter.

We aim to involve outside agencies, including NSPCC, School Liaison Police Officer, dental health advisors, online safety advisors, Lancashire Fire Service and St Johns Ambulance service to deliver aspects of the PSHE curriculum where possible.

Our PSHE Subject Leader ensurses that all staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver PSHE education confidently. Teachers can access a range of online teaching support resources within SCARF, including guidance documents and teacher training films.

Children’s understanding, knowledge and skills are assessed through observation, discussion, questioning and group participation. Children will be encouraged to talk about and reflect on their own experiences. Children in KS1 and KS2 record their individual learning in their PSHE book and all classes have a PSHE Big Book that celebrates the learning that all the children have completed together. For each unit there is a specially designed pre and post unit assessment activity which enables teachers to monitor progress, record key points and identify areas for further development. In addition to this, children at Gisburn Primary School are encouraged to reflect on their PSHE learning journey by completing their ‘Wearing My Scarf Personal Reflection Journals’ at the end of each unit.

Impact

The SCARF programme of study provides our school with an effective framework for pupils’ wellbeing. Pupils are enabled to develop the vocabulary, confidence and resilience to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings within an environment that encourage openness, trust and respect and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom and the school to the wider community they are part of. SCARF actively supports our school which prioritises physical and mental health, providing pupils with the skills to evaluate their own wellbeing needs, practice self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them.

Our PSHE provision has a positive impact on the whole child, including their attainment and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and build on their self-esteem. In our school, we use SCARF as a tool to promote wellbeing, safeguarding and SMSC outcomes. We believe that through the effective delivery of the SCARF curriculum we enable pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed at school and in the wider world.