PSHE and RSE
The Department for Education (DfE) calls PSHE education ‘an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education’ and that ‘all schools should teach PSHE, drawing on good practice’.
At Cromer Road Primary School we aim to provide all our pupils with the initial building blocks necessary to embrace the challenges of a happy and successful adult life. Our PSHE and RSE Curriculum sets out to provide pupils with the invaluable knowledge that will help them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing and teach them the fundamental characteristics of healthy relationships. Relationships and sex education is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. Some aspects are taught in science and others are taught as part of personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE).
Our PSHE and RSE Curriculum differs between the Early Years, Key Stage One (KS1) and Key Stage Two (KS2). In KS1 our curriculum focuses on Relationships Education, exploring topics like the many relationships the children have and how to identify a healthy one. In KS2 the curriculum continues with Relationship Education but in Upper KS2 (Year 5 and 6) the curriculum then includes Sex Education. Through this the pupils are taught about different kinds of families and relationships, puberty, changing body image and sexual intercourse.
Please see our PSHE and RSE policy for a breakdown of each year group’s learning.
In our PSHE curriculum, we have a strong focus on mindfulness and understanding and caring for our mental health. This focus is continued throughout school through our Mindful Breathing at the start of our PHSE lessons. It is our aim that all children know the importance of looking after our mental health and have been taught healthy and manageable ways to look after their own. We recognise that all classes have children of widely differing abilities, and so we provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability and experience of the child. We achieve this in a variety of ways by:
- Setting common tasks which are open-ended and can have a variety of responses;
- Setting tasks of increasing difficulty, evidenced in planning through differentiation and expected outcomes
- Providing resources of different complexity which are suitable for the ability of the child
- Providing appropriate adult support to scaffold learning and to aid the work of the individual or group.
Teachers assess children against clear learning objectives and success criteria. Children are encouraged to self and peer assess at the end of each lesson and evidence of this can be found in their PSHE books. The subject leader is responsible for monitoring attainment and progress of pupils and the quality of the teaching in Relationships and Sex Education. The PSHE and RSE leader is also responsible for supporting colleagues in the teaching and learning of Relationships and Sex Education, for keeping colleagues informed about current developments in the subject, and for providing a strategic lead and direction for the subject in school.
At Cromer Road we use the Jigsaw scheme of work which brings together Personal Social Health Education, emotional literacy and social skills through a mindful approach.
Each week, PSHE lessons are taught that focus on tailoring the learning to the children’s needs. Teachers and support staff enjoy building strong relationships with their class, getting to know them better as individuals.
Teaching strategies are inclusive of all learning styles and are mindful of the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same ‘Puzzle’ or theme at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike.
One of the following themes are covered each half term:
- Being Me in My World
- Celebrating Difference
- Dreams and Goals
- Healthy Me
- Relationships
- Changing Me
Lessons follow a familiar pattern:
- Reviewing the Class Charter which includes: the right to pass; respect for each other and confidentiality
- Calm Me activity - use of a chime and visualisation technique to ensure children are present and focused for the lesson
- Main activity
- Reflection on the lesson
Our approach ensures that each individual child is at the centre of all we do. Our aim is to ensure they are able to develop into the most social, emotional, moral and resilient young person they can be in order to prepare for life as an adult.
Through the core programmes children learn the language, vocabulary and techniques that enable them to build their confidence and emotional repertoire. This links well with our School Values which are further embedded through our PSHE curriculum.
At Cromer Road Primary we aim to create a safe learning environment that helps students share feelings, explore values and attitudes, express opinions and consider those of others without prejudice.
PSHE and RSE Overview and Key Vocabulary
