Personal, Social, Health Education & Citizenship

PSHE and Wellbeing at Walsh Memorial C of E Infant School

Intent

At Walsh Memorial C of E Infant School we provide a learning environment where each child is helped and encouraged to develop flourish in happy, caring, spiritual and stimulating environment. We are developing our mental wellbeing where we aim to help children to develop resilience, self confidence and high self esteem. We want them to become team workers who can think creatively and critically and have skills to successfully manage situations that involve adapting, conflict or anxiety.

We provide our pupils with the knowledge, understanding, skills and strategies required to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society and provide the children with an ever widening range of experiences which include doing, discussing, taking part and sharing. We promote pupils’ wellbeing through an understanding of their own and others’ emotions and the development of healthy coping strategies. PSHE plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly RE, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children.

We believe that the curriculum is more than just the development of subject-based skills, knowledge and understanding, it also makes a vital contribution to the development of the children’s attitudes and beliefs.  Through our school vision, values, British values, rules, curriculum and teaching, we ensure that we promote tolerance and respect for all cultures, faiths and lifestyles and to be a valued member in our community.

 

Implementation

At Walsh Memorial CE Infant School we have a clear and comprehensive scheme of work for PSHE and Wellbeing. Based on the PSHE association we work on a spiral curriculum where children develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepared for life and work. Lessons involve class discussions and group activities including drama and written work.

• The teaching and learning of RSE reflects the Church’s teaching about what it means to live well in relationship with others and be presented within a positive framework of Christian virtue.
• Our curriculum incorporates the understanding of RSE which enables all pupils to be safe and to understand and develop healthy relationships both now and in their future lives. Through half termly focused topics these bring together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development.
• The curriculum includes the development of positive relationships and working well together, celebrating and recognises differences, a sense of responsibility, care for themselves and others, and the environment and a mutual respect for the contribution of each individual within the school community.
• In our school, PSHE education teaches pupils about healthy behaviours and strategies, and to seek appropriate support when they or a friend need it., Good communication, problem-solving, healthy coping skills, resilience and the ability to name, describe and understand a range of emotions build on our mental wellbeing.
• Children are encouraged to be independent in their learning and this year we have developed a set of skills based learning focusing on being curious, being a risk taker, being persist and resilient, being keen problem solvers and creative thinkers. These are the essential learning skills that we would like our children to leave our school with to help them on the next part of their learning journey.
• Using the PSHE association planning and needs of our own children, we have identified key areas specifically to raise the cultural capital of our children – how to look after our teeth, keeping safe near the canal safety and road and railway safety. We regularly assess and would add new areas if there was an identified need.
• We believe that PSHE plays a vital part of our Infant education and is taught at least weekly and, through where possible, through cross curricular links. It is always delivered in an age appropriate way which reflects the development of the child. We deliver the PSHE curriculum by sharing good practice and reflecting the needs of our pupils. There are occasions where staff may feel it necessary to teach PSHE as a result of an issue which has arisen in their own class.
• PSHE is an important part of our Collective Worship where children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged and nurtured.

Impact

• Our Christian ethos, school values and inclusion of safeguarding within our curriculum is essential, as we want our children to be safe and happy so that they can flourish in all aspects of their life. Our PSHE curriculum provides them with a chance to share, reflect and learn about these fundamental elements to become a healthy, independent and responsible members of our community and society.
• Our children and staff value well-being, mental health and good citizenship. Through our curriculum, we believe that we prepare children for the next stage in their education as well as giving them essential skills for their future life.