We believe that Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) is the most important part of a nurturing the ‘whole child’ and has a direct impact on successful education.  It is essential in developing a child’s mental and emotional well-being, health and positive relationships with themselves and others which, in turn, supports learning across the whole curriculum.  Our school ethos, driven by our REACH values (Responsibility, Equality, Achievement, Consideration and Honesty) underpins all aspects of PSHE learning in our school.  We aim to equip children with the specific knowledge and skills required to develop their understanding of self-awareness, self-esteem, resilience, independence, safety and relationships in order to become confident, independent, healthy, responsible members of a global society in the future.

Our core REACH Values along with our PSHE curriculum, statutory RSE curriculum, assemblies, whole-school initiatives (Healthy Lifestyles Week), praise and reward systems, pupil-led groups and other curriculum areas (specifically RE, PE and Science) work together to deliver the whole school SMSC education. We pride ourselves with the way in which we value relationships: child to child, adult to child and adult to adult and invest time and energy to make them work. This creates good models of behaviour and interaction for children to ‘live by’ and contributes to the calm, purposeful and productive atmosphere often praised by visitors to our school.    

Jigsaw We use the Jigsaw curriculum which is a complete, progressive and rigorous PSHE Programme which includes the statutory Health and Relationships Education curriculum. This a well planned, spiral scheme providing consistency, knowledge, skills and attributes such as: resilience, self-esteem, team work, critical thinking and independence through key themes such as health, happiness, well-being, relationships, online safety and being part of a wider community.  Jigsaw covers PSHE and Social and Emotional Development which support both the personal development and behaviour and attitude aspects of learning as well as significantly contributing to our Safeguarding and Equality, British Values and SMSC provision.  Jigsaw has a strong emphasis on mindfulness, emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health:

“Jigsaw aims to empower children to understand who they are; to be proud of their identity; to build positive self-image and self-esteem; to accept individuality; and to nurture emotional resilience through mindfulness...so they cope with the difficult experiences life brings them , as well as embrace the wonders and beauty of the world.”

Robert Miles Infant School also delivers the Jigsaw curriculum so children’s knowledge and experience builds throughout their education.  Within the Foundation Stage and KS1, children explore the idea of relationships, feelings and appropriate behaviours, self-confidence and self-awareness, rules and routines, empathy and restorative justice.

In KS2, children deepen their understanding, knowledge and skills with a clear structure to lessons including an emphasis on ’mindfulness’ where ’Calm Me’ time uses breathing techniques to focus and reflect.  Children learn about the importance of money, discuss their dreams and aspirations for the future and develop their understanding of the physical and mental changes that occur during puberty.

Each half term consists of a Jigsaw theme, (studied by the whole school at the same time) comprising of 6 lessons (or Jigsaw Pieces) which are taught in discrete weekly sessions.  The Jigsaw curriculum is followed in KS1 which means children build on previous knowledge and apply earlier skills learnt as the units are taught  in an age-appropriate and sensitive way.  Whole school assemblies are used to support each new theme:

Autumn 1 Being Me in my World	Spring 1 Dreams & Goals	Summer 1 Relationships
Autumn 2      Celebrating Difference	Spring 2 Healthy Me	Summer 2 Changing Me

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education RSE and Health Education is taught mainly through the PSHE Jigsaw curriculum which complies with the government’s statutory guidance on teaching RSE in the primary sector. The spiral curriculum ensures learning from previous years is consolidated and that new knowledge, skills and concepts are added, in an age-appropriate way, year on year.  The whole school values of REACH are reinforced through learning how to treat others with respect, kindness, consideration and honesty.

Key aspects of children’s learning are to:

• Understand and respect their bodies and be prepared for changes during puberty
• Understand about positive, healthy relationships, appropriate to their age and development
• Understand the need to respect others and interact with others in a positive way
• Develop positive self-esteem and body image and understand influences and pressures around them
• Know how to keep themselves safe on and offline

Sex Education is mainly taught through the Summer 2 Unit: Changing Me although other units, notably, Relationships, support this learning.  The aim of these lessons is to provide children with the information they need to cope with change, particularly puberty, and to learn about families and the diversity within them, friendships and healthy relationships.  All lessons are taught with clear guidelines and boundaries, according to the Jigsaw Charter,  with subject-matter being delivered in a factual, sensitive and appropriate way.  Correct vocabulary is used and respectful classroom rules are maintained.  We communicate the content of these lesson with parents annually and provide a Parent/Carer’s information leaflet to support discussions at home about possibly sensitive material.  We always offer parents/carers the opportunity to discuss any concerns or issues regarding these sessions in order to support their child’s learning in the most appropriate way.  We appreciate that children mature in different ways and so, along with consulting our SENCo, we may offer alternative material/strategies to meet the needs of individuals.

Health Education is mainly taught through the Spring 1 unit: Healthy Me, although other units and subjects support this learning.  Health Education includes aspects of physical and mental health such as: exercise, healthy eating, screen time and keeping safe.  For older children, learning includes the effects of substances and safeguarding issues such as exploitation.  The Healthy Me Jigsaw unit is taught every year from Y3-Y6 and develops ideas and concepts in an age-appropriate and sensitive  way.  Healthy Lifestyles Week is a whole-school initiative which supports and enriches children’s learning in this area, focussing on general well-being and a wide range of ways to stay active.   This is also supported by meaningful links to our Science and PE curriculums.

British Values Jigsaw significantly contributes to the understanding and learning of British Values throughout its programme.  The four British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Individual Liberty and Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs are mapped out throughout the Jigsaw lessons in all year groups.  Together with whole school assemblies, displays, classroom routines, visitors and our Behaviour Policy, Jigsaw contributes to a whole-school awareness of what it is to be citizen in Britain today.

Whole School Assemblies These valuable opportunities to enrich learning are carefully planned to support and further children’s understanding of our REACH values, the Jigsaw themes, British Values along with topical local, national and international events.  Assemblies are adaptable to respond to the needs of the school or wider community if and when appropriate. 

With an ever-changing, modern world, we aim for children to leave our school with a secure understanding of themselves, the diverse world around them and how to play a positive role in the wider community.  We want them to have a strong set of values and be academically successful whilst knowing how to look after their own physical and mental health in order to become mature, responsible adults.