Intent
PSHE at George Mitchell School is designed to develop students with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. These skills and attributes help pupils to stay healthy and well, to be safe and develop social skills, and to manage different types of relationships, in order to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.
Students are empowered to become informed and active citizens who know how democracy operates and how the UK is governed, are aware of their rights and responsibilities, are interested in volunteering and the charitable sector, and can manage their money effectively. PSHE contributes to careers education, developing students’ knowledge and skills that will help them make informed, ambitious and appropriate choices at the end of each key stage. It supports them in making high quality applications for these destinations, developing their skills for the careers market of the future.
Implementation
In our Primary Phase, PSHE is delivered by class teachers through the Jigsaw scheme in Early Years, KS1 and KS2.
The Jigsaw approach is a comprehensive scheme of work which is underpinned by mindfulness. The meaning of mindfulness in this context is two-fold:
- teaching information and skills to empower children to learn now and improve their life- chances later
- aiming to help them develop personal awareness.
This enables the children to observe their own thoughts and feelings, regulate them and make conscious decisions about their learning, behaviour and lives. It helps them to remain focused on the present moment and thrive in it.
Jigsaw is designed as a whole phase approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (puzzle) at the same time, studying age-appropriate content.
The Six Puzzles are:
- Autumn 1: Being Me in My World
- Autumn 2: Celebrating Difference
- Spring 1: Dreams and Goals
- Spring 2: Healthy Me
- Summer 1: Relationships
- Summer 2: Changing me
RSE
Statutory Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is taught in the primary school in line with our RSE Policy. The content is incorporated into the Jigsaw schemes of work, and is age-appropriate. Please click here to view our RSE Policy. Parents have the right to withdraw the child from Sex Education lessons, but not from Relationships Education lessons. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the RSE curriculum in person, please contact Ms Kathleen Smith, the Secondary Office Manager, at kathleen.smith@georgemitchellschool.co.uk, to arrange a meeting with school leader.