THS PSHE Vision (Intent, Implementation, Impact)

At Thomas Hickman School, it is our intention that all children are exposed to a fully inclusive PHSE curriculum which gives give our BIRDS a flying start to learning - to understand, in these foundation years, that learning is the key to opportunity and choice and to understand the world around them. Through our PHSE curriculum our children acquire knowledge, understanding and the skills they need to manage their lives now and in their futures. It develops the qualities and attributes children need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society and the global community.

We encourage our children to be ‘lifelong learners’ with the confidence and ability to develop their skills and understanding when having new experiences, meeting new challenges and finding themselves in unfamiliar situations. We offer a nurturing learning environment in which each child is encouraged to develop their full potential and where their achievements and successes are celebrated and rewarded. 

As a school, we believe that children are all individuals and therefore, we aim to encourage mutual respect, responsibility and foster self-esteem in a happy and caring atmosphere. The teaching and learning of PSHE is supported by resources and training provided by the PSHE Association.

Our PHSE curriculum is implemented throughout the whole school during weekly whole class PSHE lessons focusing on different topics each term and is embedded through all lessons and the whole school day with everyone supporting and encouraging the children they interact with to use the skills they are developing and to make links to other areas of learning. It is also taught through our assemblies and school values: Bravery, Independence, Inspirational, Respect, Resilience, Determined and Scholarly (BIRDS Values).  The teaching of PSHE embroiders together our philosophy of development the whole child. It is intended that we offer a cohesive whole-school approach which enables our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society

Implementation

PSHE is taught across the school continuously during lessons, assemblies, school clubs, school events and break times. In addition, PSHE is integrated into our curriculum through SMSC, our half-termly assembly values and our BIRDS values. Our PSHE curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development our pupils preparing them for life in the wider world. At Thomas Hickman, children are taught:

To develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives now and in the future.

• Opportunities to explore, clarify and if necessary, challenge, their own and others’ values, attitudes, beliefs, rights and responsibilities.

• The skills, language and strategies they need in order to live healthy, safe, fulfilling, responsible and balanced lives.

• Opportunities to develop positive personal attributes such as resilience, self-confidence, self-esteem, and empathy.

In EYFS:

The provision is planned to ensure development in Physical, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), which occurs daily. In provision, children will explore the ideas of relationships, feelings and appropriate behaviours, self-confidence and self-awareness, rules and routines, empathy and restorative justice.

In KS1 and KS2:

We use the PSHE Association and Cornerstones to inform our curriculum planning. Topics included in the programme of study are: Healthy Lifestyles, Growing and Changing, Keeping Safe, Feelings and Emotions, Healthy Relationships, Valuing Difference, Rights and Responsibilities, Environment and Money.

Impact

Children demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual Respect, Rule of Law and Liberty. They demonstrate a healthy outlook towards school and this is evident in the good behaviour seen across the school. Teachers assess pupil’s progress using the PSHE Association guidelines. Furthermore, the impact of our PSHE program can be seen in the children’s social interactions, after-school club attendance and school council.

PSHE Association deals with the diverse beliefs, values and attitudes that individuals and societies hold. It helps pupils to develop themselves, their understanding of the world, and their ability to communicate their feelings. Children at Thomas Hickman School also acquire an understanding and experiences of British values that are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences, value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and feel confident and informed as a British citizen.

Through our PSHE education, we enhance children’s education and help them to become caring, respectful and confident individuals.