Curriculum

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education

‘Within our PSHE lessons, we aim to inspire and ensure all children develop an understanding of relationships and living in the wider world and are able to take responsibility for their own health and well-being.’

Mrs Webzell (PSHE/RSHE  Lead)

Intent

PSHE is a non- statutory subject in primary schools, however it is an important part of pupils’ education. From September 2020, Relationships education (RSHE) became compulsory for all primary school pupils and therefore at St Botolph’s, we incorporate our RSHE teaching into our PSHE. By combining these subjects, we aim to ensure all children have the knowledge and understanding of how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and how to become active citizens by responsibly participating in society around them.

Through stand-alone lessons, discreet lessons and through a variety of subjects across the curriculum (including Science, PE, RE and Computing) children will follow the three key areas of learning: Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.

Our curriculum prepares pupils for life in society now and in the future. Lessons have their foundations in recognising each and everybody’s value in society, from the appreciation of others, to promoting strong and positive views of self in the ‘Think Positive’ and ‘Be Yourself’ units. Pupils cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling them to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident citizens. The themes and topics support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide our pupils with protective teaching on essential safeguarding issues, developing the knowledge of when and how they can ask for help and how they can live a healthy and sustained lifestyle.

 

Implementation

Our PSHE lessons are taught in thematic units that are taught in a spiral curriculum, revisiting each theme every two years. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of PSHE education regularly at a depth that is appropriate for the age and stage of the child. Lessons signpost key words, building a rich vocabulary to develop the pupils’ understanding.

Each lesson begins with a discussion of children’s existing knowledge and experience, providing an opportunity for baseline assessment. Assessment for learning opportunities are built into each lesson and enhanced by the recording of learning within each unit. Pupils self-evaluate and reflect on their learning, which we believe is an important aspect of PSHE education.

 

Impact

Through our curriculum, children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect. Children will learn how they can make good choices in their lives and the consequences of their actions.

Our curriculum 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. It has 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. By engaging in the PSHE curriculum, our pupils’ aspirations are raised, and they are empowered with the skills to overcome barriers they may face. As a result, children develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to succeed at St Botolph’s and in the wider world.