The Grove Primary School

PSHE Curriculum Statement

PSHE Vision:

At The Grove Primary School, personal, social and health education (PSHE) enables our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of a society and it is an embedded part of our broad and balanced curriculum. 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.

Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development is fully at the heart of our school ethos. British Values are promoted through the overarching aims and objectives of PSHE by supporting our children to become healthy and responsible members of society, as well as preparing them for life and work in modern Britain.

Intent:

The intent of our PSHE curriculum is to deliver a curriculum which is accessible to all and that will maximise the outcomes for every child so that they know more, remember more and understand more. At The Grove, we aim to deliver our PSHE curriculum so that it dovetails with real life issues, global contexts and local celebrations, as and when they arise. Wherever possible and appropriate to personal contexts, we expect teachers to follow an age-appropriate PSHE programme to equip pupils with a sound understanding of risk, and with the knowledge and skills necessary to make safe and informed decisions. We provide our children with opportunities for them 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.

We believe that the purpose of PSHE education is to build, where appropriate, on the statutory content already outlined in the national curriculum and guidance, to cover areas such as:  drugs education, financial education, citizenship, personal safety, sex and relationship education (RSE) and the importance of physical activity and diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Pupils should be taught about the society in which they are growing up. These subjects are designed to foster respect for others and for differences, and educate pupils about healthy relationships. Teaching children about the society that we live in and the different types of loving, healthy relationships that exist can be done in a way that respects everyone. Primary schools are strongly encouraged and enabled to cover LGBT content when teaching about different types of families.

These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The important lessons you teach your child about healthy relationships, looking after themselves and staying safe, are respected and valued under this new curriculum.

Teaching at school will complement and reinforce the lessons you teach your child as they grow up. We aim to deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs and religious and cultural background of our pupils.

It is our belief that the skills and attributes acquired through quality PSHE education have a significant impact on pupils' academic achievement, employability and future life chances.

Implementation:

We believe that PSHE plays a vital part of primary education and is therefore timetabled to be taught at least weekly to ensure that quality time is dedicated to these areas, although it is usual for classes to spend more time on this depending on the theme being covered. There are always occasions where teachers may feel it necessary to teach PSHE as a result of an issue that has arisen in their own class. Many objectives from the curriculum will also be covered as an important part of school assemblies, where children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged and nurtured. The distribution of the lessons complements key campaigns throughout the year, such as National Anti-bullying Week and E-safety Week.

Teachers follow a Primary Scheme of Work called SCARF - Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience, Friendship (Coram Life Education). Developed by teachers and centred on a values-based and ‘Growth Mindset’ approach, SCARF's lesson plans and resources help to promote positive behaviour, mental health, wellbeing, resilience and achievement. There is now a proven link between pupils' health and wellbeing, and their academic progress. Crucial skills and positive attitudes developed through comprehensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE) are critical to ensuring children are effective learners and SCARF provides a whole-school approach to building these essential foundations – crucial for children to achieve their best, academically and socially. 

SCARF lesson plans are organised around the PSHE Association's Programmes of Study Learning Opportunities, which includes three core themes of Health and Wellbeing; Relationships; and, Living in the Wider World. These themes have been broken down into six main areas for termly coverage, and are ordered as follows:

• Me and My Relationships
• Valuing Difference
• Keeping Myself Safe
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Being my Best
• Growing and Changing

In addition to dedicated PSHE lessons, many other curriculum subjects make a link to PSHE, British Values, SMSC and the language is used consistently by all staff. British Values and SMSC displays throughout the school also reinforce the PSHE curriculum, further enabling children to make links.

Beyond our documented curriculum, it is hoped that the school’s values of LEARN (Lead, Endeavour, Aspire, Respect and Nurture) provide a culture that contributes equally towards the pastoral development of our children. Therefore, our teaching approach places great emphasis upon collaboration and cooperation: group work should be a key element of all classrooms and the school places great emphasis on sports and choir – all of which enable our pupils to achieve success together. Beyond this, pupils are encouraged to show leadership in their community through House Captaincy, Student Council and several committees: Environmental, Digital Leaders and Sports Leaders.

At The Grove, our PSHE curriculum demonstrates appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding to fulfil the statutory duties of the Relationship Education (RE), Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education (HE) curriculums. It is hoped that our overall curriculum is designed to directly support the pastoral education of our pupils as well as the academic outcomes that the school aims for.

Impact: 

• Children will demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty.
• Children will demonstrate a healthy outlook towards school – attendance will be in-line with national and behaviour will be good.
• Participation in extra-curricular activity both in school and beyond is encouraged and celebrated.
• Pupil Voice Surveys are used to assess knowledge of how to stay safe and emotionally confident within the school.
• Children will become healthy and responsible members of society.
• Levels of volunteering both within the school through litter picking, librarians and playground leaders, and within the community through choir concerts within local care homes and supporting the local foodbank.
• Children will achieve age related expectations across the wider curriculum.
• Children will be well prepared for their journey preparing them for life and work in modern Britain.