Personal, Social and Health Education is about growth and development of the whole person. It should aim to integrate a pupil’s intellectual, spiritual, moral, emotional, psychological and physical development, thus assisting progress towards Christian maturity. Education is for life. It aims to provide a framework for living. Throughout the pupils’ time in school they experience a network of relationships which are in themselves a part of the education process.

At Francis’ we believe that school have an important part to play in supporting parents in their primary responsibility for enabling their children to grow in an understanding of human relationships. This support can take the form of:

A secure setting in which children may safely form and develop their own relationships with both peers and adults.

A setting in which children can reflect upon their relationships.

An opportunity for people of the same age to share common experiences and learn from each other.

The pupil’s experience of relationships within the school have a significant influence in their understanding of a wide range of relationships not always experienced and within the family circle. It is important that pupils are given the opportunity of reflecting on these relationships and of developing the skills necessary for handling them.

Relationships between peoples of different races and cultures, sexes and ages, are issues on which the Gospels cast a particular light and are an important aspect of Education in Personal Relationships. This deals with matters related to personal dignity and caring for the body, mind and spirit. It also deals with issues such as family life, emotions, bereavement, failure and success.

 

Intent

At St Francis, we believe that PSHE is an integral part of the curriculum, as the skills learnt will equip our children for their futures and will enable them to become active members of society.

Based on the National Curriculum and our mission statement, we aim to provide a Catholic environment, which will enable each child to grow in understanding so that they reach their full potential, spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, morally, physically and socially. Through their understanding of PSHE, children will be able to succeed in many different areas of the curriculum and throughout life as the learned skills are transferrable.

By the end of their time at St Francis, children should:

  • Have respect for God and each other through the ethos of the school community and the teaching of the Gospel values
  • Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle
  • Understand what makes for good relationships with others
  • Have respect for others regardless of race, gender and mental and physical disability
  • Be independent and responsible members of the school community
  • Develop self-confidence and self-esteem and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues
  • Develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community
  • Prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
  • Have high levels of confidence and self esteem

Implementation

At St Francis, every class follows the Southwark PSHE Curriculum and through this, we cover the National Curriculum guidance for PSHE.

Our personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum brings together citizenship with personal well-being, whilst promoting fundamental British values alongside our school values.  PSHE is taught through discreet lessons and is integrated into our subject curriculums. It underpins all out of the classroom activities including assemblies, educational visits and extra-curricular clubs. We offer a cohesive whole-school approach which enables our children to become healthy, independent and responsible citizens.

Also, in addition to this, PSHE is also taught within other subject areas and as part of the creative curriculum through class topics.

PSHE is also to be addressed on a daily basis as questions and incidents arise.  At times, teachers may choose to hold a circle-time session in response to a particular event or issue.

Whole school and key stage assemblies will provide extra opportunities to enhance pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, promoting our school’s values and celebrating achievement.

Teaching activities will be planned according to the different levels of children’s skills and previous knowledge. A range of teaching strategies and learning styles will be used in delivering this policy with an emphasis placed on active learning. These will include:

  • Circle time and class discussion
  • Role-play and drama
  • Visits and visitors when appropriate
  • Group work

Learning

Following the implementation of the broad and balanced PSHE curriculum at St Francis, children will be respectful, independent, responsible and confident members of society within London and the wider world. They will be equipped with tools to maintain healthy and positive lifestyles with regard to relationships, diet and their own personal identity. As they become more confident throughout the areas of PSHE and progress in the related skills, children will understand their personal role in society. The most significant impact that we want for our pupils is the development of respect for themselves and others.  Pupils are supported in applying the skills they are learning, in real-life situations as they arise: e.g. resolving conflicts; working a part of a group on a project.

  • Be independent and responsible members of the school community
  • Develop self-confidence and self-esteem and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues
  • Develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community
  • Prepare children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life
  • Raise pupils’ confidence and self-esteem.

Assessment 

In the EYFS, class teachers assess children’s development and progress in PSHE by making informal judgements as they observe children. Alongside these judgements, teachers use the personal, social and emotional objectives (as stated in Development Matters) to make more formal judgements of children’s progress and development in this prime area of learning. Teachers keep a record of children’s achievements through daily observations and evaluations, or photographs.

In KS1 and 2 teachers assess children’s work in PSHE by making assessments as they observe them working during lessons. They record the progress that children make by assessing the children’s work against the learning objectives for their lessons. Children can self-assess, as well as peer-assess in order to aid their progress.

Impact

Following the implementation of the PSHE curriculum at St Francis, children will be respectful, independent, responsible and confident members of society within London and the wider world.

They will demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual Respect, Rule of Law and Liberty to their daily lives. We enable them to have a healthy outlook towards school and an increased awareness of mental well-being.  As a result, children will be able to achieve success across the wider curriculum.

They will be equipped with tools to maintain healthy and positive lifestyles with regard to relationships, diet and their own personal identity. As they become more confident throughout the areas of PSHE and progress in the related skills, children will understand their personal role in society. The most significant impact that we want for our pupils is the development of respect for themselves and others.