Cedarwood Primary School

Intent

At Cedarwood Primary School, we recognise that Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) plays a vital role in preparing our pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. We aim to provide a high-quality PSHE curriculum which supports children to become confident, healthy, resilient and responsible individuals who understand themselves, respect others and are equipped to make informed choices.

Our PSHE curriculum reflects our school ethos of Excellence and Enjoyment for All and is closely linked to our ARK values of Ambition, Attitude, Respect, Resilience, Kindness and Knowledge. Through PSHE, we provide opportunities for pupils to develop these values in meaningful contexts and to understand how they can positively contribute to our school, local community and wider world.

We aim to develop pupils’ emotional literacy, self-esteem and mental and physical wellbeing. Children learn how to recognise and manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, celebrate difference and understand the importance of looking after themselves and others. We want our pupils to have the confidence to express their views, ask questions and seek help when they need it.

Our curriculum promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and teaches pupils to respect and value people whose experiences, families, backgrounds, beliefs or characteristics may be different from their own. It also supports pupils’ understanding of the fundamental British Values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

Ultimately, our intention is that pupils leave Cedarwood with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values they need to lead safe, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives and to make a positive contribution to society.

Implementation

At Cedarwood, we teach PSHE through Jigsaw, a comprehensive and progressive whole-school approach to PSHE and Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE).

Jigsaw provides a carefully sequenced curriculum from the Early Years through to Year 6, enabling pupils to build upon their knowledge, understanding and skills as they progress through the school. The whole school explores the same broad theme at the same time, with learning appropriately adapted to the age and developmental stage of each year group.

The Jigsaw curriculum is organised into six units, known as ‘Puzzles’:

• Being Me in My World – developing a sense of belonging, understanding rights and responsibilities and contributing positively to the school community.
• Celebrating Difference – respecting similarities and differences, challenging stereotypes and developing an understanding of bullying and how to respond to it.
• Dreams and Goals – developing aspirations, resilience, motivation, teamwork and an understanding of how to overcome challenges.
• Healthy Me – learning about physical and mental health, making healthy choices and understanding how to keep ourselves safe.
• Relationships – developing positive and healthy relationships with family and friends, understanding different relationships and learning how to manage conflict and change.
• Changing Me – understanding change, growing up and preparing pupils appropriately for the next stage of their development and education.

Lessons provide opportunities for discussion, reflection and collaborative learning within a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to listen to others, respectfully express their own thoughts and feelings and understand that people may have different experiences and viewpoints.

PSHE is also embedded throughout wider school life. Our ARK values, assemblies, safeguarding curriculum, behaviour expectations, online safety teaching and opportunities for pupil leadership all contribute to pupils’ personal and social development. Where appropriate, learning is enhanced through visitors, special events and links with the wider community.

Teaching is inclusive and responsive to the needs of our pupils. Teachers use their knowledge of individual children and their classes to ensure that learning is accessible and relevant, while maintaining high expectations for all.

Teachers assess pupils throughout lessons through discussion, questioning, observation and the work that children produce. This enables teachers to identify pupils’ understanding, address misconceptions and adapt future teaching where necessary.

Impact

Through our PSHE curriculum, we aim for pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate their childhood and the increasingly complex world in which they are growing up.

By the time pupils leave Cedarwood, we want them to:

• have a positive sense of themselves and recognise their own strengths and qualities;
• understand how to maintain positive physical and mental health and wellbeing;
• recognise and manage a range of emotions and know when and how to seek support;
• develop and maintain healthy, respectful relationships;
• understand and celebrate difference and show respect, kindness and empathy towards others;
• understand how to keep themselves and others safe, including when using technology;
• make informed and responsible choices and understand that choices have consequences;
• demonstrate resilience when facing challenges and changes;
• understand their rights and responsibilities within their community and wider society;
• demonstrate Cedarwood’s ARK values through their attitudes, choices and relationships; and
• feel prepared and confident for the next stage of their education and their future lives.

The impact of our PSHE curriculum can be seen not only in pupils’ knowledge and understanding, but also in the way they interact with others and contribute to school life. We aim for our children to leave Cedarwood as happy, confident, resilient, respectful and compassionate young people, equipped with the knowledge and personal skills they need to flourish and make a positive contribution to the world around them.