PSHE Curriculum Overview

" Inspiring us all to create a better world"

Matthew 5: 13-15 " You are the salt of the earth...you are the light of the world."

At Holmer CE Academy, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a subject through which pupils develop 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, safe and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. When taught well, PSHE education helps pupils to achieve their academic potential, and leave school equipped with skills they will need throughout later life. Today’s children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also includes challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way. Our PSHE curriculum aims to develop skills and attributes such as resilience, self-esteem, risk-management, team-working and critical thinking in the context of three core themes: relationships, physical health & mental wellbeing and living in the wider world (including economic wellbeing and careers education). Therefore, all of our PSHE lessons are designed to:

• empower children with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage life’s challenges and make the most of opportunities;
• promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural links across a variety of themes being taught;
• provide children with the knowledge and tools they need to understand how to take care of themselves, physically and mentally;
•  teach children how they can stay safe in the real world and thrive in the ever-changing world;
• be taught sensitively and inclusively, with respect of the pupil’s backgrounds and beliefs, while always with the aim of providing children with the knowledge they need;
• teach children the building blocks of healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships;
• encourage children how to stay safe online and the importance of adhering to our “Bee Safe” rules;
• provide children with the information that they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing;
• allow children to ask questions in a safe and supportive environment and develop their levels of curiosity towards the wider world.

Throughout the school, PSHE is taught discretely using One Decision and SEAL to support teachers with the principles of the core themes: relationships, physical health and mental wellbeing and living in the wider world. Activities, such as circle time, and class discussions are held regularly to promote children sharing their thoughts and feelings as being healthy and helpful for our minds.

Our school council members continue to play in integral part in school life. They hold regular meetings and actively promote positive change in school.

All lessons are differentiated. This means teachers plan activities that enable the objective to be learned by all children including those who will find the objective challenging, those children who with hard work will secure good progress and those children who can tackle extra stretch and challenge in this subject. Questioning plays an integral part in this process. 

Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education is a subject through which pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives, now and in the future. Through relationships education children are taught the fundamental building blocks of positive relationships, focusing on friendships, family relationships and relationships with other peers and adults. 

Teaching and Learning of PSHE, RSE and SMSC at Holmer:

• Children learn about British values throughout lessons on their rights, responsibilities, duties and freedoms about laws, justice and democracy.
• A discreet British Values week is held once a year.
• An election is held during a British Values week, where parties have the opportunity to rally for support and then a vote is held.
• Opportunities are given cross-circularly to explore diverse beliefs, cultures and identities and the values we share as UK and global citizens.
• Children are encouraged to take part in decision making and different forms of action through our exciting 1Decision resource.
• Children learn about positive relationships using the 1 Decision Resources
• We use of SEAL resources throughout the school.
• We hold Anti-bullying days
• E-safety takes place every half term as a discrete lesson but is constantly reinforced and taught.
• Active Week every summer where a range of healthy living themes are taught.
• Year 6 go on a visit to Crucial Crew.
• Year 5 are taught about body changes that take place during puberty.
• Year 6 are taught how a baby is conceived and born -conception. 
• A range of activities including e.g. role play, drama, diary entries, written work, imovies, posters, bookcreator, comiclife.
• Peer mentors work at break and lunch to help children solve conflicts before adults get involved.

Growth Mindset

Is the belief that anything is possible and intelligence is gained through hard work and perseverance. 

Children that have a growth mindset will embrace challenges and not be afraid to fail. They are able to differentiate between failing and learning opportunities. 

Instead of using the word” fail”, they see it as a learning opportunity to expand their knowledge and be better at the task the next time. 

With a positive attitude and efforts, they will shift their thinking from “I can’t do this”, to “I will try”. 

Mental Health Education

Useful Websites for PSHE and RSE