Our Vision for PSHE Education

At St Barnabas CE First and Middle school, we believe every child deserves an education that prepares them not only for academic success but also to thrive as rounded individuals in modern society. Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education sits at the heart of this commitment.

 

The Jigsaw Approach: A Whole-School Framework

We use Jigsaw PSHE as our curriculum framework because it provides a comprehensive, carefully sequenced scheme of work that brings consistency and progression to children's learning across their primary years. Built on current research and best practice in child development, safeguarding and health education, it is kept continuously up to date with evolving statutory guidance and enables us to deliver high-quality PSHE education that meets our children's needs. 

Our PSHE curriculum is organised into six themed units ('Puzzles'), each taught for approximately half a term:

 

Term	Puzzle (Unit)	Content
Autumn 1	Relationships	Understanding different relationships and their characteristics, our families, managing friendship challenges, conflict resolution and Term Puzzle Key Content: communication skills, recognising when relationships are unhealthy, understanding loss and bereavement.
Autumn 2	Healthy Me	The relationship between physical and emotional health; nutrition, sleep, exercise and hygiene; emotional wellbeing; drug education (including medicines); keeping safe; understanding habits and making healthy lifestyle choices.
Spring 1	Changing Me	Understanding life cycles and human growth, coping positively with change, body image and self-esteem, puberty education, changing relationships, and for upper Key Stage 2, human reproduction (where taught as sex education) – see section 6
Spring 2	Being Me in My World	Understanding personal identity, my place in the class and school community, rights and responsibilities, democracy, making a positive contribution.
Summer 1	Celebrating Difference	Recognising and respecting diversity, challenging stereotypes, understanding difference and similarity, addressing bullying, building empathy and compassion.
Summer 2	Dreams and Goals	Setting and working towards goals, understanding aspirations and future possibilities, developing perseverance and resilience, recognising achievements, working collaboratively.

 

Adapting Jigsaw for Our School Community

Whilst we follow the Jigsaw programme, we recognise that our children, families and context have specific needs and characteristics. Our PSHE lead and class teachers carefully consider each lesson's content and approach to ensure it is appropriate and relevant for our pupils.

 

Beyond the Classroom: Embedding PSHE in School Life

We recognize that effective PSHE education extends far beyond weekly lessons. The skills, values and understanding developed in PSHE sessions are reinforced and 'lived' throughout our school day and across all areas of school life such as:

· Collective worship and assemblies regularly explore PSHE themes, celebrating successes, exploring moral questions, and building whole-school awareness of current wellbeing and relationship topics.

· Our behaviour and relationships policy reflects the principles taught in PSHE, emphasizing respect, kindness, responsibility and positive conflict resolution. Adults model these values in all interactions with children and each other.

· Playground and social times provide opportunities for children to practice the friendship and conflict-resolution skills learned in PSHE, supported by staff who understand the PSHE curriculum and can reference learning when supporting children.

Relationships Education

Relationships Education is compulsory for all primary aged children, and there is no right of withdrawal. It focuses on teaching children the fundamental building blocks of positive, respectful relationships with family, friends, peers and adults.

Health Education

Health Education is compulsory for all primary-aged children and there is no right of withdrawal. It focuses on supporting children to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

 Sex Education in St Barnabas CE First and Middle School

Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, however the Department for Education recommends that all primary schools teach age-appropriate sex education to ensure children are prepared for the changes adolescence brings and understand how human life begins.

We teach age-appropriate sex education in Years 5 and 6 as part of our PSHE curriculum, going beyond the statutory content about puberty to include factual information about human reproduction. We believe this information is important for children before they leave primary school, particularly as children naturally become more aware and curious about how life begins, and may seek information from less reliable sources if we do not provide age-appropriate, factual teaching.

Parent Engagement and the Right to Withdraw from Sex Education

Parents have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from some or all of sex education taught as part of PSHE. Parents do NOT have the right to withdraw children from:

· Relationships Education (statutory)

· Health Education, including puberty education (statutory)

· Science curriculum content, including content about reproduction (statutory)

Before making a decision to withdraw a child from sex education, we invite parents to discuss their concerns with the headteacher. This discussion helps us to understand the request and enables us to clarify the nature and purpose of the curriculum, discuss the benefits of the education, and consider any potential impacts of withdrawal on the child.

 

Supporting Children with SEND

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive appropriate, differentiated PSHE education that meets their needs. PSHE is particularly important for children with SEND, who may be more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and bullying. Teachers adapt lessons to ensure content is accessible.

 

Managing Disclosures and Concerns

PSHE lessons, particularly those addressing sensitive topics, may lead to disclosures from children.

 

All staff are trained to:

· Respond calmly and supportively to disclosures

· Never promise confidentiality (explaining that some concerns must be shared to keep children safe)

· Listen carefully without asking leading questions

· Record concerns accurately and immediately

· Report all concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay

 

Signposting to Support

We actively encourage children to talk with their families about their worries and concerns, recognising that parents and carers are often the first and most important source of support. At the same time, we understand that for a small number of children, there may be times when they want or need to seek support from other trusted adults, and we ensure children know how to do this when needed.

 

Within PSHE lessons and through displays, assemblies and other communications, children are regularly informed about sources of support both within school and externally.

 

Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers

We recognise that parents and carers are children's first and most important educators, particularly regarding relationships and health. Effective PSHE education works in partnership with families, supporting parents to continue conversations started in school and keeping them informed about what their children are learning.

Responding to Concerns

We welcome parents' questions and concerns about PSHE education. Parents who have concerns should contact the school’s office on 01905 840366

We aim to address concerns through open, honest discussion, sharing curriculum materials, explaining the rationale for content, and demonstrating how teaching is age-appropriate and sensitively delivered. Where concerns relate to sex education, we will discuss the right of withdrawal and support parents to make informed decisions.

 

 

Further Information and Resources

For more information about PSHE at St Barnabas CE First and Middle School, please contact:

Rachel Mansell (PSHE Lead) – rmansell@st-barnabas.dowmat.education

Elizabeth Whetham (Headteacher) - EWhetham@st-barnabas.dowmat.education

Louise Reeder (Curriculum Lead/Deputy Headteacher) - Louise.Reeder@st-barnabas.dowmat.education