PSHE

A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself.

Intent

At St Mary's, our Christian values underpin our ethos and guide all aspects of school life. We believe that every child is unique, valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, including those with SEND and the most able, are supported and challenged to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Through our Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence they need to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. We provide a broad, progressive and inclusive curriculum that prepares children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in an ever-changing world.

Our curriculum promotes positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, enabling pupils to develop resilience, self-awareness and self-respect. Pupils learn how to build and maintain healthy, respectful relationships, understand their rights and responsibilities, celebrate diversity and contribute positively as members of their school, local community and wider society.

Through age-appropriate learning, children develop an understanding of physical health, emotional wellbeing, personal safety, healthy relationships, consent, boundaries and online safety. They are taught to recognise risks, manage challenges, make informed choices and understand the importance of seeking support when needed. The curriculum reflects statutory guidance and places a strong emphasis on safeguarding, healthy relationships, mental wellbeing and staying safe both online and offline.

As part of our whole-school approach, we strive to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels respected, valued and empowered to thrive. By the time pupils leave St Mary's, they will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to become confident, compassionate and responsible citizens who embody our Christian values and are prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.

‘A lot of the time PSHE teaches you how to deal with situations that you may come across in your life so it is very important because it helps you to know what to do if it’s something that happens to you’

- Year 6 pupil.

Children's Mental Health Week: Thank you for all the effort put into this week. It’s sparked some great conversations at home about self belief. Coming in dressed up was the icing on the cake and as well as being great fun made her think about individuality and self confidence.

- Parent

Implementation:

PSHE is taught weekly through a planned programme of work that follows the Curriculum Overview below set out by the PSHE Association. St Mary’s also use the Christopher Winter scheme of work to deliver the relationships and sex education (RSE) strand of the PSHE curriculum which enables age appropriate aspects of RSE to be delivered in each year group. All PSHE and RSE lessons will be delivered in a manner that is deemed appropriate by the class teacher for the class in question ensuring that all content will be made accessible to all children, including those with SEND. The overview below shows when the six key areas are taught in each year group as well as when the RSE lessons are taught.

We use the Christopher Winter scheme of work to deliver the RSE strands of the curriculum which enables age appropriate aspects of RSE to be delivered in each year group. In the Curriculum Overview above, it is highlighted what term the RSE lessons would be taught. The units covered are as follows:

Reception: Our Lives

Caring friendships
Being kind
Different Families
My Body, My Choice

Year 1: Growing and Caring for Ourselves

Different Friends
Growing and changing
Body Safety (Online and Off)
Families and Care

Year 2: Differences

Gender Stereotypes
Male and Female
Naming Body Parts
Lesson 4- My Body Belongs to Me

Year 3: Valuing Difference and Keeping Safe

Body differences
Personal Space and consent
Families and People who Help Us.
Staying Safe and Getting Help Online

Year 4: Growing Up

Changes
What is Puberty?
Healthy relationship
Valuing Difference

Year 5: Puberty

Talking about Puberty
The reproductive system
Puberty help and Support
Respect Boundaries and Being an Upstander

Year 6: Puberty, Relationships and Reproduction

Puberty and Reproduction
Communication and Consent in relationships
Families, Conception and Pregnancy
Communication and Respect in Relationships and Online .

Year 5/6: Additional Units:

Respect and Equality

Impact:

At St Mary’s CE School assessment is an integral part of the teaching process. Assessment is used to inform planning and to facilitate differentiation. The assessment of children’s work is ongoing to ensure that understanding is being achieved and that progress is being made. Feedback is given to the children as soon as possible, and marking work will be guided by the school’s Marking Policy. Teachers monitor progress and adjust their teaching accordingly through their weekly planning. Medium-term plans are adapted based on assessments. Staff record attainment at the end of unit points indicating if children are working below, at or exceeding expectations.

Collecting evidence:

Collecting of PSHE evidence is through observations and discussions with teaching staff to ensure consistent and coherent curriculum provision and through book looks. In Key Stage One, this is in the form of class floor books and for Key Stage Two, individual workbooks. The subject leader finds out pupils opinions about the teaching of PSHE and the content covered through interviewing selected pupils during lesson observations. The subject leader acts upon the comments and suggestions of pupils wherever possible. Teachers are to keep a record of baseline and end point assessments for each unit to assess the impact of the teaching.

Useful Documents

Implementing RSE at St Mary's CE School

A presentation for parents to explain how RSE will be implemented at St Mary's CE School

Implementation of RSE at St Mary's

If you have any questions regarding the teaching of RSE at St Mary's or have questions from your child which they do not feel comfortable raising in class, please get in contact via the form below.