PSHE Curriculum Statement 2022 - 2023

Intent

At Alpha, it is our intent that all children will be ‘lifelong learners’ with the confidence and ability to develop their skills and understanding when having new experiences, meeting new challenges and finding themselves in unfamiliar situations.  We share a cohesive vision to help children to understand and value how they and others fit into and contribute to the world.  We have a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health through the delivery of a programme of engaging and relevant PSHE within a whole school approach.  We also promote and practise mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.  Our approach aims to develop the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society and the global community.

Implementation

PSHE at Alpha is implemented using the ‘JIGSAW’ programme which is a whole school approach. Progression in skills and knowledge in the subject is outlined in the PSHE progression grid.  The curriculum for PSHE is delivered throughout the whole school.  The six topics covered are: Being Me in My World, Celebrating Difference, Dreams and Goals, Healthy Me, Relationships and Changing Me.  Learning in each topic then takes place during weekly whole class Jigsaw lessons which explore the different themes.  These themes are also embedded through the school day with staff supporting and encouraging the children they interact with to use the skills they are developing and to make links to other areas of learning.

The aims of PSHE at Alpha are to provide children with:

• accurate and relevant knowledge
• opportunities to create personal understanding
• opportunities to explore and challenge a range of values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities
• a range of skills and strategies to live a healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced life.

Our PSHE programme deals with the diverse beliefs, values and attitudes that individuals and societies hold.  It helps pupils to develop themselves, their understanding of the world, and their ability to communicate their feelings.  Children at Alpha also acquire an understanding and experiences of British values that are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences, value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and feel confident and informed as British citizens.

Impact

By the time children leave Alpha they will:

• be able to approach a range of real life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life
• be on their way to becoming healthy, caring, confident, open minded, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society
• appreciate difference and diversity
• recognise and apply the British values of democracy, tolerance, mutual respect, the rule of law and liberty
• be able to understand and manage their emotions
• be able to look after their mental health and well-being
• be able to develop positive, healthy relationships with their peers both now and in the future
• understand the physical aspects involved in relationships and sex education at an age appropriate level
• have respect for themselves and others
• have positive self-esteem