PSHE
PSHE is the school curriculum subject designed to keep children safe, healthy and prepared for life and work in modern Britain. It is a partnership between carers/parents and our school. It supports many of the principles of safeguarding and is closely linked to the schools safeguarding, SMSC and British Values policies.
Intent
Our intention is that when children leave Eastcourt they do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions necessary to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it.
Our curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable them to access a wider curriculum and prepare them to be global citizens. It promotes their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development.
Implementation
We take a thematic approach based on the work of the PSHE Association, covering all three core themes of the Programme of Study (Health and Wellbeing; Relationships; Living in The Wider World) over the school year.
This approach allows different year groups to work on similar themes, building a spiral programme year on year, whilst offering flexibility in terms of planning to meet the pupils’ stages of development and needs and also to reflect the context of the school and the local community.
In Reception, PSHE is taught as part of the ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’ and the ‘Understanding the World’ aspects of the curriculum. Our curriculum is delivered through whole class, small group and 1:1 learning, with a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated learning with sustained shared thinking.
Across the rest of the school, PSHE is taught as a subject in its own right but also alongside Art, History, Design and Technology etc. In order for children to be excited and inspired, it is important to us that they are fully immersed in the learning and can make links to other knowledge. The timetabling of PSHE is flexible. However, the timings average to approximately 1 hour per week. This ensures breadth, depth, retention of knowledge and skills progression. Each year, we aim to build upon current skills.
The behaviour policy encourages pupils to have respect for the learning environment, school and the property of others. Pupils feel safe and feel their property is secure in the school. The reward systems encourage them to work hard and behave well.
As a school, we actively seek opportunities to enrich our curriculum with real-life experiences and scenarios. We have invited a range of guest speakers, such as local police, firemen and other important members of our community who help to bring our learning to life.
Impact
The personal and social development of pupils underpins our curriculum. Through a carefully planned programme, supported by all who work in or with the school, we want children to leave Eastcourt ready for transition into secondary school and adult life.
They will:
- be able to cope with real-life situations, applying their skills and knowledge.
- be becoming healthy, open-minded, socially and morally responsible, active members of society.
- appreciate difference and diversity, having respect for themselves and others.
- recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual Respect, Rule of Law and Liberty.
- be able to understand and manage their emotions, and look after their mental health and well-being.