Curriculum - PSHE

Intent

PSHE forms an integral part of the curriculum at The Village Federation and elements of personal and social education are woven through all aspects of school life. Statutory Relationships Education, RSE and Health Education lessons are taught at various points across the year along with other aspect of PSHE which help children to become confident, resilient and mental and physically healthy individuals in line with our school vision and ethos.    

Although our PSHE curriculum is cyclical to provide the best possible coverage in our mixed age classes, some topics will be taught to specific year groups only as they may not yet be appropriate for younger members of the class. Topics may be repeated as required and in line with specific requirements of different cohorts of children.  Some flexibility is used when planning PSHE provision to allow teacher to provide what their class needs at any given point however; coverage is carefully tracked to ensure children have covered all areas of the curriculum before the end of their time with us.   

Planning aligns closely to that provided by the PSHE Association’s thematic programme of study although this is supplemented with additional visitors and resources which are appropriate to our children.   

RSE is an important part of the curriculum at The Village Federation and is at the heart of our vision, particularly with its links to mental and physical health, as well as to feelings of self-worth and belonging. We want to empower our children to understand the changes associated with puberty and human reproduction, so that they are aware of what will happen to their growing bodies. The RSE curriculum is also important from a safeguarding perspective. 

The Core Knowledge Documents outline the content of what needs to be covered each year (Y3 and Y4, puberty and external genitalia; Y5 and Y6, human reproduction and birth). We want our RSE curriculum to be proactive, rather than reactive, by teaching these subjects before they happen to each individual. It is up to each individual teacher when they wish to cover this content, but they may wish to do so in the second half of the summer term when the children are more mature. Both sexes are taught together, as it is important for them to develop an understanding of what happens to both of them: children learn that changes to their bodies are nothing to be ashamed of and is normalised by talking about the changes openly. We want our children to know what is normal and to value difference; to understand what is acceptable and what it not. Provision should be made for children who wish to ask questions or discuss any issues privately.