PSHE & Personal Development – St John's Meads C of E Primary School

We have a whole school approach to PSHE, covering 6 key themes, through a scheme of work called ‘Jigsaw’; this includes statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). This spiral and progressive scheme gives children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others, emphasising Equal Opportunities and that all members of society should be equally valued regardless of gender, race, ethnic or social background, disability or sexuality. There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness, allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus. Parents/carers are fully informed of policy developments through letters, meetings, and workshops. We offer the opportunity to voice concerns, and staff are happy to discuss issues with families. Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from some RSE lessons. This must be done through a meeting and agreement with the Headteacher.

At St John’s Meads, we want all children to have the skills needed to become well-rounded, emotionally literate individuals.

We aim for our curriculum to help children understand how they are developing personally and socially, and tackle many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. We incorporate the whole-school values of Enthusiasm, Responsibility, Attitude, Perseverance, Collaboration, Focus and Independence through our PSHE and Forest School curriculum.

We support and encourage personal development through PSHE lessons, Forest School lessons and the wider curriculum. We enable children to understand their place in the world, to celebrate difference and have high aspirations and expectations of themselves. We want children to know how to stay physically and mentally healthy, to be safe online and in the wider world, to recognise healthy relationships and approach change confidently.