Intent
At Dalton Primary School, we intend to provide a PSHE curriculum underpinned by the 9 protected characteristics of the equality act 2010 and the many principles of safeguarding. Our PSHE curriculum closely to SMSC and British Values, and we ensure that children receive an age-appropriate understanding of RSE, as set out in statutory guidance. Our intent is to build a PSHE curriculum that results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills; enabling children to access the wider curriculum, work collaboratively and make a positive contribution to the life of the school. It will enable all children to be safe and to understand and develop healthy relationships both now and in their future lives. Our curriculum will prepare children to be a global citizen in a diverse society and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. We are aware that the delivered curriculum must reflect the needs of our pupils and build on the statutory content already outlined in statutory guidance. We follow the ‘3 Dimensional’ scheme of work provided by the PSHE Association to provide consistency throughout our school. Teaching and learning in the classroom should show progression across all Key Stages within the PSHE core themes: health and wellbeing, relationships and living in the wider world. Each phase builds on the vocabulary, knowledge and skills taught in the previous to allow children to acquire further knowledge, know more and remember more. We expect teachers to use a PSHE programme to equip pupils with an age-appropriate, sound understanding of risk, with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions and to recognise the importance of their own mental health and well-being.
Implementation
We strive to provide our children with learning opportunities across and beyond the curriculum, in specific lessons, circle time, special school projects and other activities that enrich pupils’ experiences. There are always occasions where teachers may feel it necessary to teach PSHE as a result of an issue arisen in their own class. Our practice also reinforces the PSHE curriculum through questioning, vocabulary, topics, key historical themes (also known as our school ‘Big Ideas’), and on displays throughout school. PSHE is an important part of school assemblies were children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged and nurtured.
Impact
All children understand the importance of PSHE, RE, SMSC and British Values and the effects it can have on life in and out of school, this is evident through termly pupil voice and Holistic Learning and PSHE coverage folder monitoring by the curriculum leader. By teaching pupils to stay safe and healthy, and by building self-esteem, resilience and empathy, an effective PSHE programme can tackle barriers to learning, raise aspirations, and improve the life chances of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils. The skills and attributes developed through PSHE education are also shown to increase academic attainment and attendance rates, particularly among pupils eligible for free school meals, as well as improve employability and boost social mobility. By the time they leave our school, personal, social and health education (PSHE) enables our learners to become healthy, independent and responsible members of a society. It helps 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. Our curriculum allows pupils to learn about rights and responsibilities and appreciate what it means to be a member of a diverse society. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community.