Intent

At Barwic Parade, we understand and recognise that relationships are at the heart of every aspect of our lives. The PSCHE curriculum develops pupils’ understanding of the many relationships they will experience as the grow and develop as well as supporting pupil to develop personally nurturing their well-being; it supports community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society. It offers opportunities for children to develop life skills that will enable them to be well rounded citizens who are able to add valuably to our society. PSCHE offers children a safe environment to develop appreciation of their own and other’s skills and aspirations alongside enabling a deeper understanding of the world that we live in. PSCHE supports the children to develop a clear understanding of their significance within their own communities as well as in the world today.

Implementation

Our curriculum works hand-in-hand with the Thrive programme and is structured so that we have bi-weekly lessons with a follow up Thrive activity to further develop the children’s emotional intelligence each time. The children then revisit these topics throughout the year to build upon and deepen their knowledge and understanding. Progression is mapped throughout the school from reception to Year 6 which includes the progression of knowledge, skills taught and appropriate vocabulary. In addition, each class has a bespoke Thrive Action Plan which supports the development of the specific children, sessions are carries out weekly to support the children to continue to grow and understand their emotional changes. During each Key Stage pupils are taught knowledge, skills and understanding through their learning about; families and relationships (including friendships), safe relationships, respect, community, internet safety, money and work, physical health and mental well-being, growing and changing and keeping safe.

Impact

Assessment in PSCHE will be carried out through making informal judgements through observation and discussion with the children and through the work they produce in PSCHE lessons. Children will be assessed against the key learning identified in the PSCHE planning overview at the end of each unit to give an overall judgement of children’s understanding of PSCHE.

Pupil Voice will show:

• A developed understanding of the relationships, safety and physical and mental health.
• A secure understanding of their futures in relation to money and work alongside an aspirational attitude.
• A progression of understanding, with appropriate vocabulary which supports and displays maturity
• Confidence in discussing PSCHE and its place in the curriculum and their own lives, their own work and identifying their own strengths and areas for development

Curriculum Changes

From September 2020, the government has made it statutory that all primary age children will be taught Relationships and Health Education.

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, sexuality and sexual health. It will support pupils to gain accurate information, develop skills and form positive beliefs, values and attitudes. It will also give pupils essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful, loving and non-exploitative relationships, staying safe both on and offline. This will enable them to take responsibility for their body, relationships, reproduction, sexual health and wellbeing.

High-quality SRE helps to create safe school communities in which pupils can grow, learn, and develop positive, healthy behaviours for life, and learn about safeguarding both on and offline.

Delivery of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and the curriculum

The RSE programme is firmly embedded within the school’s framework for PSHE and the National Curriculum for Science. The RSE curriculum is delivered through Science and PSHE lessons.

The RSE programme is delivered using the Busy Bodies Adolescent Development Programme which provides information on the physical and emotional changes that children may experience during puberty, to reassure them that puberty is a normal part of growing up.. 

Parents / Carers

School aims to work in active partnership with families, value their views and keep them informed of the RSE provision. If you have any concerns about the RSE provision then time will be taken to address your concerns. Families can be invited to review the resources and can contact the PSCHE Co-ordinator, Miss Becky Kirkland, with any queries or concerns. 

The Parental Right to withdraw their child from RSE lessons

Although Relationship Education is now compulsory for all children, parents will be able to withdraw their child from primary school classes which address sex education - i.e. those that do not sit within the Relationships Education curriculum. It is important to note however that maintained primary schools are required to teach National Curriculum Science, which includes some elements of sex education and parents do not have a right to withdraw from this.

Parents wanting to exercise this right are invited to see the PSHE Co-ordinator, Miss Becky Kirkland,  who will explore their concerns.

If a child is withdrawn they will be provided with alternative work for the duration of the lessons and consideration will be given on how to protect a pupil from the possible reaction of their peers to this withdrawal. Children will be aware that this withdrawal is option and they will receive guidance on how to respond to other children following the session. Should the reaction of peers become more severe it will be dealt with on a case by case basis depending on the nature and severity of the reaction.

What is PSCHE?

• Personal development is about how children come to understand who they are and what they can do.
• Social development covers how children come to understand themselves in relation to others, how they make friends, understand the rules of society, and behave towards others.
• Health explores ways in which we adopt a healthy lifestyle based around food, exercise and mental health.
• Citizenship explores what it means to be active part of the community we live in. This helps children understand what they have to offer now and in the future. 

The curriculum complements the Thrive Approach by supporting children to understand their own and other’s feelings and develop their ability to be empathetic – to see things from another person’s point of view.

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Developing children’s PSCHE skills begins in the nurturing and child-led Early Years Unit. The nursery and reception children have designated Key People and build new friendships throughout their first school years. Children’s work and achievements from home and school are shared and celebrated with parents through parental involvement in children’s learning journeys and the use of an open door (each morning and afternoon).

PSCHE continues to develop through Key Stage 1 and 2 across the school where the children are motivated and inspired to learn through a creative curriculum. Friendships with adults and children continue to grow alongside children’s self-esteem, confidence and independence.