What is Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education?

PSHE is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to successfully manage their lives – now and in the future. As part of a whole-school approach, PSHE develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.

What do schools have to teach in PSHE?

The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage requires our Nursery and Reception class to plan and deliver a curriculum that enables children to:

• self-regulate;
• manage self;
• build relationships.

Although PSHE is not a statutory subject in primary schools, the National Curriculum states that every school needs to have a broad and balanced curriculum from Year 1 that: 

• promotes the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school;
• prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life;
• promotes British values.

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

From September 2020, primary schools in England also need to teach Relationships and Health Education as compulsory subjects and the Department for Education strongly recommends this should also include age-appropriate Sex Education.

Schools also have statutory responsibilities to safeguard their pupils (Keeping Children Safe in Education) and to uphold the Equality Act (2010).

The PSHE and RSHE Curriculum at Prince Bishops

Our curriculum begins on entry into the early years. The curriculum for children who start with us when they are 2 years old will enable them to:

• Feel happy and confident when separated from their family.
• Regulate their emotions, with support.
• Enjoy the company of other children and join their play.
• Use the potty independently.
• Select and use resources independently.
• Follow boundaries.
• Make independent choices.
• Show understanding and respect for differences.
• Take turns and share resources.

From 3-4 year old Nursery to Year 6, our curriculum is based on the Jigsaw Programme. This has been quality assured and supports all the requirements described above with children’s wellbeing at its heart. Jigsaw brings together PSHE Education, compulsory Relationships and Health Education, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development. It is a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time at their own level. There are six Puzzles (half-term units of work) and each year group is taught one lesson per week. All lessons are delivered in an age- and stage-appropriate way so that they meet children’s needs.

This overview below summarises the content in each of Jigsaw’s units of work (Puzzles):

Being Me In My World covers a wide range of topics, including a sense of belonging, welcoming others and being part of a school community, a wider community, and a global community; it also looks at children’s rights and responsibilities, working and socialising with others, and pupil voice.

Celebrating Difference focuses on similarities and differences and teaches about diversity, such as disability, racism, power, friendships, and conflict; children learn to accept everyone’s right to ‘difference’, and most year groups explore the concept of ‘normality’. Anti-bullying, including cyber and homophobic bullying, is an important aspect of this Puzzle.

Dreams and Goals aims to help children think about their hopes and dreams, their goals for success, what their personal strengths are, and how to overcome challenges, using team-work skills and tasks. There is also a focus on enterprise and fundraising. Children learn about experiencing and managing feelings of pride, ambition, disappointment, success; and they get to share their aspirations, the dreams and goals of others in different cultures/countries, and their dreams for their community and the world. It’s great for children to have this experience, to think ambitiously, and to have aspirations.

Healthy Me covers two main areas of health: Emotional/mental health (relaxation, being safe, friendships, mental health skills, body image, relationships with food, managing stress) and Physical health (eating a balanced diet, physical activity, rest and relaxation, keeping clean, drugs and alcohol, being safe, first aid). Most of the statutory content for Health Education (DfE) is contained within this Puzzle.

Relationships starts with building a respectful relationship with self and covers topics including families, friendships, pets and animals, and love and loss. A vital part of this Puzzle is about safeguarding and keeping children safe; this links to online safety and social networking. Children learn how to deal with conflict, build assertiveness skills, and identify their own strengths and strategies for building self-esteem and resilience. They explore roles and responsibilities in families and friendship groups, and consider stereotypes. .

Changing Me deals with change of many types, from growing from young to old, becoming a teenager, assertiveness, puberty, self-respect and safeguarding. Each year group thinks about looking ahead, moving year groups or the transition to secondary school and how to cope positively with such changes. 

Events supporting PSHE at Prince Bishops

PB Goes Camping!

Year 4, 5 and 6 all took part in an amazing overnight camping experience. It developed the skills taught in PSHE through bush craft, survival and teamwork in the following ways:

• Developing confidence and independence

• Understanding the importance of patience and perseverance
• Developing resilience
• Being able to co-operate effectively
• Building skills in communicating with others effectively
• Supporting others with their work

• Developing an understanding of the world around them
• Understanding other cultures
• Learning how to look after someone when they are hurt
• Learning how to summon help at home, at school and in the wild
• Sharing ideas and receiving constructive criticism
• Self-reflection and evaluating their own performance

Educate and Celebrate 

Prince Bishops is an Educate and Celebrate Best Practice School and we have achieved the gold award for our work to eradicate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia from our school.

Follow this link to see our work! https://www.princebishops.org.uk/educate-and-celebrate/