PHSE at Our Lady Of Grace

At Our Lady of Grace Primary School, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) enables our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. It aims to help them understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackles many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. In partnership with parents, we teach PSHE and RSE according to the National Curriculum and with the Catholic faith and teachings at the heart. We have a clear skills and knowledge progression outlined and informed by the the ‘Ten Ten Life To The Full Scheme’ and Living in the Wider World Scheme. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year to maximise learning for all children.  Although the discrete PHSE/RSE curriculum is timetabled, a significant proportion of PHSE provision takes place within the wider school and curriculum contexts, for example, Science and PE lessons, themed weeks and enrichment projects enabling our children to develop their ability to tackle the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. 

Intent

Our PSHE curriculum is closely matched to the needs of our children and the society that they are growing up in. It is regularly monitored to ensure that the topics taught explore the demands of modern life. PSHE is a vital tool to ensuring that children develop emotionally as well as academically. The PSHE curriculum within our school allows children to develop their confidence and self-esteem which in turn allows them to recognise their own worth; whilst also ensuring that our children are well equipped with the skills of collaborative learning. In addition to this we prepare our children to play active roles as citizens within the wider society; allowing them to develop positive relationships and maintain a healthy lifestyle. We hope that through our PSHE education we equip the children with the ability to ask questions; having the confidence to challenge when they think something is wrong.

Implementation

Our PSHE curriculum covers all areas of the subject. One PSHE lesson per week is timetabled throughout Key Stage One and Two, although teachers are able to use their judgement to adapt this as necessary. The PSHE curriculum overview is available on the school website. In the Foundation Stage, PSHE is an integral part of the topic work covered throughout the entire year; many aspects of the Early Learning Goals are steered towards children’s physical and emotional development and wellbeing. There are also other opportunities where children are involved in PSHE outside of the direct lessons, including assemblies and debates where a range of themes are covered, visitors from different faiths and backgrounds, cross-curriculum teaching, the school council and houses/Year Six House Captains.

Impact

Monitoring and assessment is an on-going process for PSHE; teachers’ use assessment for learning as necessary, as well as monitoring and evidencing children’s learning in the PHSE floor book. The implementation of PSHE, both inside and outside of lessons, plays an integral role to help develop our children’s self-confidence and an increased understanding of the impact that individuals’ actions can have on their own and others’ lives. Children demonstrate a progression of knowledge and skills throughout their school life, which they continuously build on and embed.  We hope to equip children with skills that will allow them to grow into healthy, well rounded individuals who have reached their true potential ready to play a meaningful role in society