“We want all children to grow up healthy, happy, safe, and able to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why all primary age children will be taught Relationships and Health Education. These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated – these changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child. Your child’s school will have flexibility to deliver the content in a way that is age and developmentally appropriate and sensitive to the needs and religious background of its pupils.“
(Department for Education)
Intent Statement
PSHE has a unique position to contribute to our school’s vision and ethos. It contributes to a broad and balanced curriculum in developing the health and wellbeing of the children in our care. It is important to provide children with the skills and knowledge to be happy, healthy and safe to live in today’s world. Our PSHE curriculum, including Relationships and Health Education, is planned and sequenced to be both age and developmentally appropriate to each year group. At St. Gabriel’s Church of England School, we seek to foster relationships which reflect the commandment to ‘love your neighbour’ – and to demonstrate this through what we say and do and by understanding the importance of equality and respect.
Our curriculum is designed to promote independence, resilience and critical thinking skills to help children stay healthy, safe and maintain their own well–being. These principles are embedded in our school’s Christian ethos and vision.
As a Church school, our aims are built on a foundation of Christian Gospel teaching. However, the individual attributes and qualities we want to nurture are inclusive of all – whatever faith, belief or ability.
The key attributes that we, as a whole school family, want to both nurture and demonstrate are:
These attributes are at the core of much of school’s PSHE curriculum.
In the Early Years, children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is seen as crucial for them to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. The essential skills of self–regulation, managing self and building relationships are delivered through the PSED area of learning. These attributes provide a secure platform from which children can achieve throughout their journey in school and into later life.
Intended Impact
During the children’s learning journey at St Gabriel’s, our intended impact of the PSHE Curriculum is to ensure that children:
- understand the benefits of ‘Harmony’ living in a diverse community and valuing diversity within communities
- develop personal qualities and values that will equip them to meet the wider social demands of young adult life
- learn strategies to respond to a range of feelings and situations
- acquire a varied vocabulary to use when talking about feelings and strategies of how to express feelings in suitable ways
- have an understanding of consent, privacy and personal boundaries
- demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes a positive healthy friendship/relationship and know the importance of seeking help and advice
- know they have a responsibility to treat others with respect and are aware of their actions on others
- have courage to do ‘the right thing’
- recognise behaviours/actions which may discriminate against others
- have an understanding of the importance of hygiene and how hygiene routines can limit the spread of infection
- learn to predict, assess and manage risk in different situations, including knowing when to call for emergency services
- are ready to deal with changes to their bodies and changes in friendships.
