PSHE Curriculum Intent

At Sunnyside, we recognise the importance of PSHE and how it teaches children to be socially aware, safe and play a positive role within their community. We follow the Jigsaw scheme of work.  Jigsaw holds children at its heart and aims to equip them for happy, healthy lives and to be effective learners. 

Achievement 

Children are taught to celebrate their individual achievements and share the sucess of others. This is acknowledged within classes and during weekly celebration assemblies. Children are taught how they can have a positive impact on their community now and in the future. 

Perseverance 

During PSHE lessons children are taught to identify different emotions and strategies to self-regulate, supported by the language from Zones of Regulation. Children are then encouraged to apply this to other subjects, daily life and that part of learning is making mistakes and trying again – persevering. 

Responsibility 

Children take responsibility in their classes for their learning, as monitors and by looking after their class environment. Librarians, play leaders and ambassadors play a vital role in supporting learners across year groups. Pupils explore a range of roles in the wider community and the impact individuals can have.  

Aspiration 

Children are exposed to a range of role models from diverse backgrounds and challenged to consider stereotypes. They are encouraged to be brave and take risks. Pupils are provided with opportunities to make them think about their future aspirations. 

 

Implementation

From September 2021, we have introduced a whole school PSHE scheme called Jigsaw. At Sunnyside Primary, we recognise the importance of physical and mental health. Jigsaw combines PSHE, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development. 

 

Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time.  Jigsaw aims to help children know and value who they really are and how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world.

The 6 Jigsaw Puzzles (half-termly units) are designed, so the whole school can study the same learning themes at the same time, each year group at its own level. The Puzzles are sequential and developmental throughout each academic year. 

SMSC and British Values

SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development opportunities are mapped throughout. All of these pieces of learning are brought together to form a cohesive picture, helping children to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in the world.

The 5 strands of the British Values agenda have been mapped across every Puzzle and every Piece (lesson) and are a part of our weekly assemblies. 

 

Relationship & Sex Education (RSE)

With effect from September 2020 the content of school provision in PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) and RSE (Relationships & Sex Education) has changed with statutory elements being added.

Our RSE curriculum is designed to match guidelines from the Department for Education. Any changes to our approach shall be noted on this page and, where changes are made, there shall be full consultation with parents/carers.

We believe that knowledge empowers and protects children as long as it is age-appropriate. At secondary school, Sex Education is statutory and we believe that primary schools should prepare children with accurate knowledge about puberty and human reproduction before they transfer to secondary school.

Correct terminology for body parts is introduced early to normalise this biological vocabulary and to support safeguarding. These words are not used in isolation but always in conjunction, ensuring children know these are private parts of their bodies.

An important part of the Jigsaw PSHE programme is delivered through the 'Relationships' and 'Changing Me' puzzle pieces which are covered in the summer term. 

There are four main aims of teaching RSE:

• To enable children to understand and respect their bodies
• To help children develop positive and healthy relationships appropriate to their age and development
• To support children to have positive self-esteem and body image
• To empower them to be safe and safeguarded.

Each year group will be taught appropriate to their age and developmental stage. At no point will a child be taught something that is inappropriate; and if a question from a child arises and the teacher feels it would be inappropriate to answer, (for example, because of its mature or explicit nature), this information with be shared with you by your child’s class teacher. The question will not be answered to the child or class if it is outside the remit of that year group’s programme.

Below is a summary of RSE coverage within the Jigsaw scheme for each year group:
• Foundation Stage - Growing up: how we have changed since we were babies
• Year 1 - Boys’ and girls’ bodies; naming body parts
• Year 2 - Boys’ and girls’ bodies; body parts and respecting privacy (which parts of the body are private and why this is)
• Year 3 - How babies grow and how boys’ and girls’ bodies change as they grow older
• Year 4 - Internal and external reproductive body parts, body changes in girls and menstruation
• Year 5 - Puberty for boys and girls, and conception
• Year 6 - Puberty for boys and girls and understanding conception to birth of a baby

If parents/carers wish to withdraw their child from the Sex Education elements of the RSE curriculum, they should contact the principal. Please note that Sex Education is not the same as Relationships Education so a conversation with school is important to ensure there is a full understanding of the aspects of the curriculum a child can be withdrawn from.