PHSE

PSHE curriculum intent (Early years – PSED)

In Early years at St Dunstan’s Primary school we use the ‘Think Equal’ social and emotional learning programme. The aim of the "Think Equal" scheme is to foster social, emotional, and personal development (PSED) in young children. By promoting equality, empathy, and respect, the scheme encourages children to understand their emotions, form positive relationships, and appreciate the diversity of the world around them. Through a range of stories and activities, children will be encouraged to think critically about fairness, kindness, empathy and differing emotions. Our aim is to celebrate diversity and teach children to be inclusive of everybody.

PSHE curriculum implementation (Early years – PSED)

The “Think equal” scheme is implemented through a range of stories and activities. The story’s reflect children’s own cultures, experiences and lives and also introduce them to other cultures and the lives of others. Other ways the think equal scheme is implemented include structured group discussions where children can share their thoughts and feelings, role play and drama where children can explore different perspectives and group activities which allow children to work collaboratively and put what they have learnt into practice. Children are also given opportunities to create pieces of work independently based on the story they have focused on.

PSHE curriculum impact (Early years – PSED)

The "Think Equal" scheme in Early Years provides a strong foundation for children’s personal, social and emotional development. By promoting values of equality, respect, empathy, and inclusivity our youngest children are nurtured into compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals. These early learning experiences given to the children through story helps our children grow into young people who appreciate diversity and approach life with kindness, fairness and the ability to manage themselves and regulate their own emotions.

PSHE curriculum intent (KS1 and KS2)

At St. Dunstan’s, the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum is designed to nurture well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges of the modern world through the Imatters curriculum. Our intent is to:

Promote Wellbeing: We aim to foster emotional literacy, resilience, and positive mental health among students, ensuring they have the skills to manage their emotions and relationships effectively.
Develop Life Skills: Our curriculum is tailored to equip children with essential life skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, guiding them to become responsible citizens who can navigate complexities in their personal and social lives.
Cultivate Empathy and Respect: Through PSHE, we actively promote our school’s values of kindness, respect and tolerance. We also seek to instil a deep understanding of diversity, equality, and mutual respect, preparing students to engage positively with those from diverse backgrounds.
Encourage Responsible Citizenship: By integrating a comprehensive understanding of rights and responsibilities, we empower students to participate actively and positively in their school and community, promoting active citizenship.
Prepare for Future Challenges: Our PSHE curriculum is forward-thinking, addressing contemporary issues such as online safety, mental health, and environmental awareness to equip our students for the future.

PSHE curriculum implementation (KS1 and KS2)

Our PSHE programme is taught biweekly implemented through a structured curriculum, built around the following core components:

Curriculum Design: We employ a spiralling curriculum that revisits key themes at increasing levels of complexity as students progress through the year groups. Topics include healthy lifestyles, keeping safe, living in the wider world and mental and emotional health.
Cross-curricular Links: PSHE is integrated with other subjects such as RE, Science, and English to reinforce learning and demonstrate real-world applications.
Assessment for Learning: We utilise formative assessments, reflective discussions, and student feedback to monitor progress and adapt our curriculum to meet the evolving needs of our learners.

PSHE curriculum impact (KS1 and KS2)

The impact of our PSHE education is assessed through various measures, demonstrating its effectiveness:

Positive Behaviour and Wellbeing: We have observed a marked improvement in student behaviour and children can identify a trusted adult to support them in times of need.
Informed and Responsible Citizens: Students demonstrate a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities. They are active citizens within our school community and are being prepared to become the active citizens of the future.
Resilience and Preparedness: students feel equipped to face challenges, with an increased sense of confidence in decision-making related to health, relationships, and personal safety.

In summary, our PSHE education is designed to create a lasting impact on our students, ensuring they develop the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to thrive in today’s world and become responsible, reflective citizens.