Vision

Bleak Hill is a nurturing environment in which each child is encouraged to reach their full potential. As a family we celebrate each child’s uniqueness. As a school, we believe that children are all individuals and therefore, we aim to encourage mutual respect, responsibility and foster self-esteem in a happy and caring atmosphere. The teaching and learning of PSHE supports and upholds this vision. PSHE deals with the diverse beliefs, values and attitudes that individuals and societies hold. They help pupils to develop themselves, their understanding of the world, and their ability to communicate their feelings. PSHE helps children to acquire British values and attitudes which are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences within school and life itself, value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and diversity and feel confident and informed as a British citizen. Our vision is for every children to feel enabled to reflect on and clarify their own values, attitudes and feelings by having the opportunity to explore a range of values and attitudes they encounter in their lives and in their future lives.

Intent

Our intention is that when children leave Bleak Hill, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being.

Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. Our Relationships, Health and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

Implementation

EYFS - In the Foundation Stage, PSHE and citizenship is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. The objectives taught are the Personal, Social and Emotional Development statements from ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals. Reception also uses the Jigsaw Scheme of Work materials. (see below)

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 - At Key Stage 1 and 2, PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We ensure we cover the Health and Well-Being, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities. Pupils are taught PSHE using ‘Jigsaw’ which is a spiral, progressive scheme of work, which 'aims to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world’. There is a strong emphasis on emotional Literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. It includes mindfulness to allow children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

At Bleak Hill, in addition to Relationships Education, we also teach aspects of Sex Education that is covered in our Science Curriculum. Alongside this we teach about different kinds of relationships, including same sex relationships, and gender identity because it is important that our children should have an understanding of the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain. The Sex Education aspects of PSHE are also taught through the ‘Jigsaw’.

Impact

By the time children leave Bleak Hill, they will:

• Be confident, resilient and reflective learners.

• Understand how to stay physically and mentally healthy.

• Build and maintain positive relationships.

• Respect and celebrate diversity.

• Demonstrate the British Values of democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect, tolerance and the rule of law.

• Make safe and informed decisions.

• Contribute positively to their communities.

• Understand their rights and responsibilities.

• Be well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain.