Intent

St Mary’s Catholic Academy and Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy we understand the importance children’s knowledge surrounding PSHE. We believe that PSHE is an essential part of the curriculum that allows us to teach information and skills to empower children to learn now, and improve their life-chances later. Through the teaching and learning of ‘The Jigsaw Approach to PSHE’ we feel that the children at St Mary’s will have opportunities to develop their self-feelings, thoughts and ideas using a range of concepts that will allow to build on their social skills, emotional skills in a mindfulness and spiritual way. We inspire the children to ask questions about themselves and the world around them, at St Mary’s we endeavour to give children the life skills that they need to continue on in life after education. We will introduce new vocabulary to the children that we will encourage them to use within lessons to build on their knowledge and understanding of PSHE. We will continue to promote equality and inclusion for all of our children and these will be topics that will be discussed and taught as part a broad and balanced curriculum.

 

Implementation

To ensure quality teaching in the key concepts for PSHE, at St Mary’s we implement a curriculum that allows all children to focus on the same aspects at the same time throughout the school whilst developing progression within each year group.

Through ‘The Jigsaw Approach to PSHE’, the children at St Mary’s are taught all of the skills and concepts, bringing together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development. We promote the children’s individualities, adapting teaching strategies and lessons to meet the different needs and learning styles of our children at St Mary’s

Our PSHE scheme at St Mary’s, ‘The Jigsaw Approach’ is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme and concepts (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly to discuss the learning intentions, new vocabulary and key concepts, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike.

Each Piece of the ‘Jigsaw’ has two Learning Intentions: one is based on specific PSHE learning (covering the non-statutory national framework for PSHE Education but enhanced to address children’s needs today); and one is based on emotional literacy and social skills (covering the SEAL learning intentions but also enhanced).

 

Impact

This approach to teaching PSHE means that our curriculum and coverage is relevant to children living in today’s world as it helps them to understand and be equipped to cope with issues like body image, cyber and homophobic bullying, and internet safety.

Our children will have a wider knowledge of themselves and the world around them. Showing acceptance and understanding to others, but also understanding the importance of self-thoughts and feelings. By taking a whole school approach, this means that our children are deepening their knowledge of PSHE throughout their time at St Mary’s.