Curriculum

PSHE

Why our PSHE curriculum looks like this:

Brentnall aims to equip children with essential skills for life; it intends to develop the whole child through carefully planned and resourced lessons that develop the knowledge, skills and attributes children need to protect and enhance their wellbeing. Through these lessons, children will learn how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and become active citizens, responsibly participating in society around them. Successful PSHE curriculum coverage is a vital tool in preparing children for life in society now and in the future. Lessons at Brentnall have their foundations in seeing each and everybody’s value in society, from appreciation of others in units such as Diverse Britain, to promoting strong and positive views of self in Think Positive and Be Yourself. We aim to cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community. The themes and topics support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide children with protective teaching on essential safeguarding issues, developing their knowledge of when and how they can ask for help. Our resources and lessons are fully in line with the Learning Outcomes and Core Themes provided by the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is widely used by schools in England and is recommended and referred to by the DfE in all key documentation relating to PSHE provision in schools. It covers all of the required objectives and follows the three core areas of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World. The scheme of work fulfils the requirements of 2020 Statutory Relationships and Health Education, setting these learning intentions in the context of a broad and balanced PSHE curriculum.

Implementation

How PSHE is taught at Brentnall:

At Brentnall, our PSHE curriculum is designed to be taught in thematic units, which consist of six lessons. We then revisit these units every two years. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of PSHE education regularly at a depth that is appropriate for the age and stage of the child. Lessons also signpost key words, building a rich vocabulary to develop understanding. We aim to deliver lessons in a creative manner, using many approaches such as role play, discussion and games with groups of various sizes. These activities enable children to build confidence and resilience. Assessment for learning opportunities are built into each lesson which enable self-evaluation and reflective learning and allow teachers to evaluate and assess progress. Each lesson begins with a discussion of children’s existing knowledge and experience, providing an opportunity for baseline assessment. Each lesson ends with an opportunity to consolidate and reflect upon learning.

Impact

Children are enabled to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They will apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part. At Brentnall, we support the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them. Successful PSHE education can have a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem. Evidence suggests that successful PSHE education also helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children achieve to a greater extent by raising aspirations and empowering them with skills to overcome barriers they face.

Further Information

For information on the National Curriculum for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education please click here
For information on our school’s Long Term Plans for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education please click here
For more information on how Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education is taught within Early Years please click here

Health and Relationships Education

It is now a statutory requirement for primary schools to deliver Relationships Education and the Department of Education (DfE) encourages schools to deliver Sex Education that ensures both boys and girls are prepared for the changes adolescence brings and – drawing on knowledge of the human life cycle set out in the National Curriculum for science – how a baby is conceived and born.

At Brentnall, it is our priority to ensure that all children grow up healthy, happy, safe, and are equipped to manage the challenges and opportunities of modern Britain. That is why, from September 2020, all primary age children will be taught Relationships and Health Education. These subjects are designed to equip your child with knowledge to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships as well as preparing them for a successful adult life. The world for all young people looks very different from the way it did 20 years ago when this curriculum was last updated – these changes bring the content into the 21st century, so that it is relevant for your child.

Relationships Education will put in place the building blocks needed for positive and safe relationships, including with family, friends and online. Your child will be taught what a relationship is, what friendship is, what family means and who can support them. In an age-appropriate way, your child’s school will cover how to treat each other with kindness, consideration and respect. By the end of primary school, your child will have been taught the content on:

families and people who care for me
caring friendships
respectful relationships
online relationships
being safe

Health Education aims to give your child the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, to recognise issues in themselves and others, and to seek support as early as possible when issues arise. By the end of primary school, your child will have been taught the content on: