PSHE
Intent
At Bishop Ridley C of E Primary School, we aim to equip children with essential skills for life; it intends to develop the whole child through our school-specific curriculum that develops the knowledge, skills and attributes children need to protect and enhance their wellbeing.
Our PSHE curriculum, from Year 1 to Year 6 is a thematic approach with of three core themes – Relationships, Living in the Wider World and Health and Wellbeing; the three themes support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide children with protective teaching on essential, safeguarding issues and develop their knowledge of when and how to ask for help.
Through weekly lessons, our children will learn how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and become active citizens, responsibly participating in society around them. Our PSHE curriculum is a vital tool in preparing our children for life in society now and in the future.
Implementation
At Bishop Ridley, our PSHE curriculum matches the three core themes, with three topics for each, with Key Questions and WALTs (learning intentions). This thematic approach is school wide so that every year group in Key Stages 1 and 2 will be working on the same theme and Key Question at the same time:
Relationships
- Families and Friendship
Key Question: How do compassion and trust bring people together?
- Safe Relationships
Key Question: How do I build positive relationships?
- Respecting Ourselves and Others
Key Question: How do I consider the feelings, wishes and rights of myself and others?
Living in the Wider World
- Belonging to a Community
Key Question: What role do I play in my community?
- Media Literacy and Digital Resilience
Key Question: How do I communicate online?
- Money and Work
Key Question: What goals can I set myself for now and in the future?
Health & Wellbeing
- Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing
Key Question: How do I make myself healthy and happy?
- Growing and Changing
Key Question: How do I develop now and as time passes?
- Keeping Safe
Key Question: How do I keep myself safe?
PSHE is delivered once a week for an hour session, by the class teacher. Each lesson begins with a reminder of the PSHE Ground Rules: R.O.C. K - R (respect) O (openness) C (confidentiality) K (kindness). Learning is recorded every week in a specific Wellbeing Book; the WALT, Key Question and Success Criteria is included with every recorded piece.
Class teachers deliver the PSHE lessons in a creative manner, using many approaches including role play, discussion and games. These activities enable the children to build confidence and resilience.
Assessment for learning opportunities are built into each lesson; an opportunity to consolidate and reflect on learning is provided with the use of ‘Maz the alien’ who is visiting Earth to discover more about humans. Maz provides a focus character for the children as they deepen and extend their understanding.
Impact
Bishop Ridley’s scheme of work provides our learners with an effective curriculum for wellbeing. Children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of respect, openness, confidentiality and kindness, 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 to the wider community of which they are a part. Bishop Ridley’s PSHE scheme of work supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them.
Successful PSHE education can have a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem. Evidence suggests that successful PSHE education also helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children achieve to a greater extent by raising aspirations and empowering them with skills to overcome barriers they face.
The Bishop Ridley scheme of work is used as a whole-school approach to positively impact wellbeing, safeguarding and SMSC outcomes. This can ensure that all children are able to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed at school and in the wider world.