Vision  

PSHE at St Martin’s enables our children to become independent, confident, healthy and responsible members of society. We focus on developing the “whole child”: intellectually, morally, socially and spiritually. We believe that excellence in these areas will lead to excellence across the curriculum and beyond in later life. With an ever-changing society, we are able to provide our children with a strong understanding of the diverse world around them and support them in playing a positive role in contributing to the school and the wider community.  

Aims 

By the time children leave our school they will have a ready willingness and ability to try new things, push themselves and persevere. Our passion for nurturing individuality and respect for the rights of everyone enables members of our community to achieve their potential and be outstanding local and global citizens.  

We aim to enable our children to: 

• have a good understanding of how to stay safe, healthy and develop good relationships 

• have an appreciation of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse, multicultural society 

• have a strong self-awareness, interlinked with compassion of others 

• develop pupils’ understanding of the world and of personal, social, health, emotional and citizen concepts and relevant vocabulary  

• enable pupils to make choices 

• provide pupils with strategies to maintain personal wellbeing, promote resilience and equip pupils with skills to keep themselves and others safe  

• provide an atmosphere celebrating equality and diversity  

• provide pupils with a relevant, age appropriate and broad curriculum  

• enable learners to form appropriate relationships and give them a sense of dignity and respect for each other  

• develop personal responsibility, self-confidence and assertiveness 

• empower learners so they can have more control over their own life  

• enhance their self-esteem  

• understand their own health, personal care, development and relationships  

Rationale

PSHE is taught across the school from EYFS - Year 6 on a weekly basis and as a school, we follow the Jigsaw PSHE scheme. Our PSHE curriculum equips children with relevant and meaningful content, which is supported through a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health.  

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to allow their individuality to shine through and flourish. 

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.  

Jigsaw PSHE directs our aim on developing the “whole child” through a spiral curriculum approach to developing knowledge, skills and understanding in the areas of: 

• Being Me in My World   

• Celebrating Difference   

• Dreams and Goals   

• Healthy Me  Relationships   

• Changing Me  

We use a range of organisations to support and enrich our PSHE curriculum. Here are some of them:

• Jigsaw (scheme)
• Emily Morgan (PSHE Consultation for Sandwell)
• DECCA (tobacco, alcohol, medicines, cannabis)
• School nurses (health sessions)
• SHAPE events / Primary youth service (anti-bullying roadshow)
• Dog, cat and duck (free online resources)

We have also amended the scheme to add in sessions around financial education (the 'E' in PSHE is 'economic'). These skills develop progressively through school so that by the time they leave us, children have an understanding of money, its value and how to manage it.

British Values 

The British Values, which we teach at St. Martin's through PSHE, Picture News, assemblies and day-to-day interactions are as follows:

• Democracy 

• The Rule of Law 

• Individual Liberty 

• Mutual Respect 

• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs 

We promote and reinforce these British Values throughout the curriculum and all areas of school life. Visitors into school and class trips enhance teaching, learning and understanding in these areas.  

Picture News Coverage

SMSC (Spiritual, moral, social and cultural) 

Our school also believes the teaching of SMSC (Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural) to be of the upmost importance in preparing all of our children to participate fully and positively in their community, now and in the future. 

Children's SMSC development is promoted and embedded in our school in a variety of ways. All classes take part in PSHE lessons. The topics are used to promote children's understanding in a range of areas, such as healthy lifestyles, money awareness and relationships. Themed weeks or days, for example, anti-bullying and autism awareness ensure all children have the opportunity to develop understanding of SMSC. Circle time gives pupils a voice and enables them to share their feelings and concerns in a safe and open environment, whilst developing a mature emotional vocabulary.  

Curriculum Changes Information:

Changes in the PSHE curriculum: