Intent

At Backwell Junior School we believe that Personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education. It helps pupils to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society. PSHE education covers core knowledge relating to issues such as online and offline safety, relationships, health and careers. The subject is tied together by the development of the key skills and attributes which pupils need to thrive both in their childhood and throughout their adult lives. These key skills and attributes – such as self-management, empathy, critical thinking, communication, resilience, teamwork and negotiation – are crucial to pupils’ life chances. At Backwell Junior School, we follow the Jigsaw scheme of work which has a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health.  Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

Implementation

Here at Backwell Junior School, PSHE is taught weekly in our classes and uses the mindful approach to PSHE promoted through the Jigsaw scheme of Work. Jigsaw offers a comprehensive Programme for Primary PSHE including statutory Relationships and Health Education in accordance with National Curriculum requirements. This is undertaken in a spiral, progressive and fully planned scheme of work. This gives children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others.   

Jigsaw consists of six half-term units of work (Puzzles), each containing six lessons (Pieces) covering each academic year. 

• Term 1: Being Me in My World 

• Term 2: Celebrating Difference (including anti-bullying) 

• Term 3: Dreams and Goals 

• Term 4: Healthy Me 

• Term 5: Relationships 

• Term 6: Changing Me (including Sex Education)        

Every Piece has two Learning Intentions, one specific to Relationships and Health Education and the other relating to emotional development and social skills. The various teaching and learning activities are engaging and mindful of different learning styles and the need for differentiation. The Early Years (EYFS) planning is aligned to the National Early Years Framework (England). 

Impact

PSHE education has the potential to boost pupils’ life chances, helping them to stay safe both online and offline, improve their physical and emotional health and develop the character, resilience and skills they need to succeed academically and in the workplace. Our children are encouraged to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community and we aim to start them on the journey towards becoming informed, active and responsible adults.

Assessment in the Jigsaw scheme is both formative and summative and activities are included in each lesson to give the pupils the opportunity to self-assess and identify areas for self-improvement. Through discussion, pupils will be able to demonstrate an understanding of what it takes to lead confident, healthy and independent lives.