‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think’ (Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne)

Intent

At St Bernadette’s our PSHE scheme of work aims to equip children with essential skills for life; it intends to develop the whole child through lessons that develop the knowledge, skills and attributes children need to protect and enhance their wellbeing. Through our delivery of PSHE, children will learn how to build and maintain successful relationships, become active citizens, responsibly participating in society around them, and stay safe and healthy. Successful PSHE curriculum coverage is a vital tool in preparing children for life in society now and in the future. Our curriculum aims to cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community. The themes and topics support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide children with protective teaching on essential safeguarding issues, developing their knowledge of when and how they can ask for help.

Our scheme of work fulfils the requirements of 2020 Statutory Relationships and Health Education, setting these learning intentions in the context of a broad and balanced PSHE curriculum. (See also our RSE page for more details on how we are fulfilling these expectations). 

Implementation

The resources that we use to support our teaching are fully in line with the Learning Outcomes and Core Themes provided by the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is widely used by schools in England and is recommended and referred to by the DfE in all key documentation relating to PSHE provision in schools. Our scheme of work follows the three core areas of Relationships, Living in the Wider World, and Health and Wellbeing.

Our PSHE scheme of work is taught in thematic units, which consist of a series of lessons, each with supporting materials. The themes are the same in every year group. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of PSHE education regularly and appropriately for the age and stage of the child. The planned activities enable children to build confidence and resilience.

Impact

Our scheme of work is an effective curriculum for wellbeing. Children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part. It supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them.

Successful PSHE education has a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem.