Intent 

At the Linden academy school the children are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that PSHE is a crucial part of every child’s education in order for them to become self-confident, happy, empathetic and responsible citizens in the future.

We aim to promote personal development in a structured and developmentally appropriate way in order to give children the opportunities, knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to improve their future life chances. We enable children to develop their sense of self-worth by encouraging them to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community through opportunities to be pupil leaders and a thorough pupil voice program. Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics relating to physical and mental health, wellbeing, safeguarding, British values, our town and also healthy relationships. We feel that learning about the emotional and social aspects of growing up will give children and young people the information, skills and positive values to empower them to have safe and fulfilling relationships and to become independent, responsible members of society. Our school’s PD curriculum takes into account diversity as one of the pillars of our school society.

Having introduced children to a wide range of concepts and having exposed them to a variety of experiences, we hope that they will have a strong understanding of the diverse world around them; be well equipped to take responsibility for their own wellbeing and to stay safe in our ever-changing society. 

Implementation 

At the Linden academy we have adopted the Jigsaw scheme of work to aid educators with teaching PSHE. Educators adapt this scheme in order to reflect the needs of their pupils often tailoring PSHE lessons to the specific needs of a class.

Jigsaw is taught using half-termly units which develop knowledge, skills and understanding in the following areas: 

• Being Me in My World 
• Celebrating Difference (including anti-bullying) 
• Dreams and Goals 
• Healthy Me 
• Relationships 
• Changing Me (Including Kapow RSE taught by class teachers) 

Jigsaws cohesive vision helps children understand and value how they fit into and contribute to the world. With a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health, Jigsaw equips us to deliver engaging and relevant PSHE education. Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus. This encourages building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. 

We believe that PSHE education plays a vital part in primary education so, as well as discrete lessons, it is embedded throughout the curriculum. British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural concepts are explored across our broad and balanced curriculum. PSHE is an important part of school assemblies where children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural curiosity is stimulated, challenged and nurtured. In addition, special events, key campaigns and themed days/weeks provide opportunities for children to explore topical issues eg antibullying week and world mental health day. 

Children are encouraged to follow the Jigsaw charter in all lessons and this is a theme threaded into each year groups lessons.   

Impact 

By the time children leave us they will: 

• demonstrate kindness and respect towards themselves and others. 
• have the courage and ability to try new things, challenge themselves and persevere.  
• take responsibility for their actions. 
• have a good understanding of how to stay safe, healthy and how to develop good relationships.  

• have an appreciation of what it means to be a positive member of a diverse, multicultural society.  
• demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty. 
• be on their journey preparing them for life in modern Britain. 
• Have a good understanding of changes that happen to them through their lifes.

Assessment within PSHE lessons, will ensure that pupils are building on their skills and knowledge over time. It will demonstrate progression and also uniformity between parallel classes. Predetermined learning objectives allow teachers to be mindful of the assessment elements within lessons and can help them pitch and plan subsequent lessons. Activities are included within lesson to give the children the opportunity to self-assess and these allow children the opportunity to identify areas for self-improvement.  

An individual’s progress will be recognised through recognition within the classroom and being awarded certificates during celebration assemblies.  

In order to be confident in the impact of PSHE across the whole school community, the PSHE leader will monitor the subject through discussion with pupils, gathering evidence of written activities, monitoring displays and through ongoing discussion with colleagues.