Frequency of sessions: This is one session a week, but at certain times of the year, and depending of school events, external activities or events shared in the news, this may be more regular. 

Intent

Within PSHE at Deanshanger Primary School, we want our children to learn about themselves as developing individuals and as members of their communities, building on their own experiences and on the Early Learning Goals for personal, social and emotional development within the EYFS. To achieve this, they will learn the basic rules and skills for keeping themselves healthy and safe and for behaving appropriately. They will also have opportunities to show that they can take some responsibility for themselves and their environment. They will begin to learn about their own and other people's feelings and become aware of the views, needs and rights of other children and other people. As members of a class and school community, they will learn social skills, such as how to share, take turns, play, help others, resolve simple arguments and identify bullying. They will begin to take an active part in the life of their school and the wider community.

As they mature and develop during Key Stage 2, they will learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals with their own experiences and ideas, and as members of their communities. They learn about the wider world and the interdependence of communities within it. They develop their sense of social justice and moral responsibility and begin to understand that their own choices and behaviour can affect local, national or global issues and political and social institutions. They also learn how to take part more fully in school and community activities. As they begin to develop into young adults, they face the changes of puberty and transfer to secondary school with support and encouragement from the school. They learn how to make more confident and informed choices about their health, environment and finances, and to take more responsibility, both individually and as a group, for their own learning.

Implementation

PSHE objectives are taught using the  PSHE Association Framework of work, Programme of Study (standing for Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship), which is mapped to the new DfE guidance for Relationships Education and Health Education, The PSHE Association's Programmes of Study Learning Opportunities, the National Curriculum, Curriculum for Excellence and Ofsted's requirements.  Teachers may also choose to teach other, non-  PSHE Association lessons in order to tackle any issues that arise and are relevant to the children in their class. PSHE objectives are taught in discrete weekly lessons and daily collective worship but are also covered across the curriculum, especially in our RE, Science and PE curriculum. Some objectives will also be taught through Key Stage or whole school assemblies (e.g. sun safety, allergy awareness and spotting dangers in the house). Many opportunities arise during the school week for our children to work effectively in groups, take on roles of responsibility and to come together as a whole school community to reflect on our journeys. We also enjoy regular whole-school Sunflower assemblies that enable children to enjoy and celebrate the successes of others.

Impact

The PSHE Association is an effective framework for supporting pupils’ well-being. Children are enabled to develop the vocabulary, confidence and resilience to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings within an environment that encourages openness, trust and respect. They also know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom and the school to the wider community of which they are a part.  Teachers will be encouraged to use both pre- and post- assessment to inform planning and review how the children progress over each unit, and learning will be evidenced in exercise books.

In PSHE, we aim to offer children the opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas and emotions about important issues in school, home and society. PSHE is taught once per week using them in Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. In the Foundation stage, children follow their long-term plan, which is taken from the EYFS curriculum. Through group discussions and activities, children develop life skills to build resilience and self-confidence. 

The School Council at Deanshanger Primary School is a successful and active group that meets each week.  The school council helps to organise charity events and provide a pupil voice to our school's development. Each year, a group from Year 1 to Year 6 has two representatives and are elected by their peers in September.