PSHE
Our intention is that when children leave Mackie Hill, J & I School, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. 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 Personal, Social, Health & Economic 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 PSHE curriculum is taught in all classes throughout school. We have created our own long-term plan adopted from one produced by the National PSHE association. To further complement our schemes of work, we are using 1decision to deliver aspects of the PSHE curriculum. It is a comprehensive programme which provides a range of topics and modules to support PSHE from Reception to Year 6. From January 2023, we introduced the use of floor books in every year group to record a summary of each PSHE lesson and include samples of the work completed in the lesson (including photos of practical work), a blurb to contextualise the learning and evidence of pupil voice and their reflections.
We teach from the long-term plan but also tackle any issues which arise in individual classes, from whole school concerns or national festivals & initiatives. Opportunities for PSHE-linked visits are planned for, as well as visits from guest speakers and organisations in the local community (emergency services). This also includes themed days/events, such as Anti-Bullying Week, Children’s Mental Health Week.
Cross-curricular links are planned for and allow children to deepen their understand of PSHE across the curriculum, including using technology safely in Computing, the role of money in Maths and how key historical figures have actively brought about positive change in History lessons.
RSHE - Relationships, Sex and Health education is part of the PSHE curriculum. All classes take part in a series of lessons concerning health education, sex and relationships education. It is a crucial part of preparing children for their lives now and in the future, as adults and parents. The teaching programme uses materials and resources from the national PSHE Association and the 1 Decision website. Inclusive to this is education around LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans-sexual). Discrete lessons are not taught around LGBT but it may form part of discussions around family relationships. All of the SRE is delivered to ensure children acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to accept their own and others sexuality in positive ways, showing mutual respect and responsibility, free from abuse.
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from SRE education if they wish to do so and are requested to consult with the headteacher, Mrs Elliott, before they withdraw their child.
Process for RSHE Policy Development
Staff training was carried out to agree content suitable to our children’s needs. As part of implementing the RSE curriculum, children, parents, staff and governors were consulted to ensure a general consensus on our approaches to policy and the curriculum content. Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School started their consultation process on 23rd September 2020; the consultation closed on 21st October 2020.
As part of this, parents, staff and governors, were asked to read through the following two documents and make comments on them:
· Consultation on PSHE/RSE Policy, September 2020 (Draft)
· Consultation on PSHE-RSE Curriculum, September 2020 (Draft)
If you wish to carry out further reading around RSE, the following documents may be of use to you:
Government Guidance