PSHE
Intent
The intent of our PSHE education is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all and one that will maximise the outcomes for every child enabling them to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and the wider community. This enables the children to develop their own self-worth. We ensure that the children experience the process of democracy through participation in the school council. Children are taught about their rights and responsibilities.
Implementation
As a school we follow Leeds recommended scheme of work ‘You, Me and PSHE’. Each topic in the scheme incorporates activities to establish the starting point of learners and assess progress.
The topics included are:
- Careers
- Drug, alcohol and tobacco education
- Financial capability and economic wellbeing
- Identity, society and equality
- Keeping safe and managing risk
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Physical health and wellbeing
- Relationship and sex education
Each class is taught PSHE by the class teacher once a week for about an hour. Class big books evidence class discussions, activities, pupil voice, thoughts and ideas. In addition to this, all children have circle time at least once a week and collective worships, although religious in theme often link with strands of PSHE. Our five school key values (Love and Friendship, Honesty, Endurance, Thankfulness and Fairness) which are threaded throughout our daily school life give opportunity for PSHE to be in our thoughts all day every day. These values ‘permeate all aspects of school life. Pupils demonstrate respect and tolerance. They help and support each other.’ (Ofsted April 2018)
The distribution of the lessons also complements key campaigns throughout the year such as Anti-Bullying Week and Diversity Week. In 2018-2019 staff received training from Stonewall and work was carried out in school on ‘Different Families, Same Love’. The children had lessons based on a family units being different for everyone.
Peer Mediators are available for children to talk to, to help them to solve issues which have occurred on the playground. The Peer Mediators take their responsibilities seriously.
Impact
- Children will develop positive and healthy relationships with their peers both now and in the future.
- Children will be on their journey preparing them for life and work in modern Britain.
- Children will become healthy and responsible members of society
- Children will understand the physical aspects involved in RSE at an age appropriate level.
- Children will have respect for themselves and others.
- Children will have positive body images.
The curriculum is followed over a two year program.
The curriculum overview shows the elements that will be looked at in each band.
As a school, we are committed to giving our children the best possible start in life by nurturing their social, emotional and mental health. There are many, many ways in which we do this at Rawdon St. Peter's but another vitally important part of our teaching and learning is the MindMate curriculum.
MindMate Leeds is a collaboration between young people and professionals in the city, commissioned by NHS Leeds CCG and Future in Mind, Leeds. The organisation was set up to help and support young people (and their families) who are experiencing emotional or mental health issues. You can visit their website for more information should you need it: www.mindmate.org.uk
Because of the way in which the scheme of work was written by a team of experienced professionals, we are confident that we are utilising well proven methods to support our children in developing good relationships, becoming comfortable with their feelings and strategies to cope well with life changes and the more challenging aspects of life that can impact on mental health.
There are six spiralised core lessons per year group; one from each of the following themes:
- Feeling good and being me
- Family and friends
- Being the same and being different
- Life changes and transitions
- Strong emotions
- Solving problems/Making things better
Age appropriate content includes both broad upstream topics, such as healthy relationships, and more mental health specific topics, such as low mood and depression.
In addition, emotional literacy skills (based on the work of the Southampton Psychology Service) are incorporated into all the lesson outcomes, to ensure that the learning is personalised and embedded.
This means that pupils practice a range of skills, including talking about their feelings, rather than simply developing a theoretical understanding of SEMH.
Click on the image below to find some games to play at home.
