We have devised a carefully planned approach to the teaching of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education with overarching aims as well as a two-year cycle of teaching and learning content so that, in KS1 all content is covered without being rushed and in KS2, pupils can revisit learning at age-appropriate levels.
Our overarching aims for the distinct areas of PSHE designed in line with the PSHE Association’s ten principles are:
Personal: children develop their own values and display those of our school – being safe, respectful and ready to learn. They know how to keep themselves healthy and safe. They understand how relationships can be good and bad. They explore their role as future earth citizens and how they need to protect and improve the planet through living sustainably and responsibly. We want our school to be at the heart of the community so take part in and facilitate as many events as we can to nurture relationships and demonstrate our commitment to the village and the people who live there.
Social: Our house system matches up older with younger children so that they can act as role models and give support to our youngest pupils to enable them to quickly feel happy, safe and part of our school family. It develops leadership qualities as one pupil will take responsibility for gathering house points and reporting these in weekly assemblies, all older pupils will supervise behaviour and manners during family lunch service. Pupils collect house points whenever they demonstrate our core values of being safe, respectful and ready to learn. Our motto is ‘Aim High’ therefore we also celebrate success and diligence. Each week, the house who gain the most points enjoy an early lunch service at a special table. Every term, the house who have collected the most points receive a pre-determined treat. The three schoolhouses – Murton, Dufton and Knock reflect distinct high points in our local environment that can be seen from classroom windows and the playground. Our pupil award, voted for weekly and anonymously by their peers, celebrates those who embed our values and serve as a role model to others.
Through our long-term planning for PSHE, pupils are taught about e-safety and bullying and learn about different cultures and religions. Areas of safeguarding, safeguarding, such as ‘stranger danger’ for our younger pupils are covered. Pupils also learn about relationships, as part of the statutory expectations of the National Curriculum. Externally children are given opportunities to develop and learn to interact socially. Older children are made aware of world issues in weekly assemblies and all pupils regularly go on school trips and excursions, to develop their social skills.
Health: we have devised a comprehensive curriculum that teaches health education to pupils from the EYFS. Children have opportunities to learn about personal hygiene, healthy eating, take part in First Aid training and learn about what is safe/healthy and unsafe/unhealthy including the effects of alcohol. Tobacco and drugs. Age-appropriate Relationship and Sex Education lessons are taught as per statutory requirements.
