Intent                                                                                                                                                                 

At Merrylands Primary School and Nursery, we aim for children to leave Key Stage 2 with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society.  In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being. Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be a global citizen now and in their future roles within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life. Our Healthy Relationships and Sex Education (HRSE) curriculum enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop what a healthy relationship is, both now and in their future lives. It also addresses the physical and emotional changes that their body will go through.

Implementation       

In EYFS, PSHE and citizenship is embedded across the curriculum through the Personal, Social and Emotional Development areas of Self-Regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships.  Children develop their understanding of their own feelings and those of others, begin to regulate their behaviour, work towards to goals, follow instructions, develop confidence to try new activities and show independence, understand rules, manage own personal needs, work collaboratively and take turns and form positive attachments with both children and adults.  These skills may be developed through taught sessions or through activities and experiences within the EYFS environment.

During Key Stage 1 and 2, PSHE is taught through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. This scheme covers Health and Well-Being, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities as set out in the PSHE Association’s Programme of Study, which comprehensively covers the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance. Pupils are taught PSHE through a spiral based, progressive scheme of work, covering all of the above, with the aim to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are, and to understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world. There is a strong emphasis on emotional Literacy, building resilience, and nurturing mental and physical health. It includes mindfulness to allow children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

At Merrylands, in addition to Relationships Education, we also teach aspects of Sex Education through the Science Curriculum. Alongside this, we teach about different kinds of relationships, including same sex relationships and gender identity because it is important that our children should have an understanding of the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain. The Sex Education aspects of PSHE are also taught in our HRSE scheme of work.

PSHE is taught through themes with each year group studying the same unit at the same time (at their own level):

Autumn 1: Me and My Relationships

Autumn 2: Me and My Relationships

Spring 1: Keeping Safe

Spring 2: Working Together

Summer 1: Money, money, money…

Summer 2: Healthy Changes including HRSE

 The scheme also identifies links to British Values, and SMSC and is taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of the school.

Impact

By the time our children leave our school they will:

• be able to approach a range of real life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life
• be on their way to becoming healthy, open minded, resilient, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society
• appreciate difference and diversity
• recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty
• be able to understand and manage their emotions
• be able to look after their mental health and well-being
• be able to develop positive, healthy relationship with their peers both now and in the future.
•  understand the physical aspects involved in HRSE at an age appropriate level
• have respect for themselves and others
• have a positive self esteem

Children’s learning and attainment is evaluated during each lesson and end of unit assessments are recorded using the Merrylands assessment grid.  This information is used to inform future planning.  The subject is monitored regularly to measure the impact of the PSHE curriculum content, design and delivery and the outcomes of this monitoring are used to drive forward next steps within the subject.