How is PSHE taught at Lydney C of E School?

PSHE is the golden thread woven throughout the teaching and learning here at Lydney C of E School. Using the SCARF curriculum as the basis for our lessons, PSHE is taught weekly in each year group, although this is sometimes increased dependent on the needs, behaviours and questions a class might have.

Our PSHE curriculum is steered by the needs of the children and we use check-ins, class discussions, small group work and one to one dialogues to ensure we support the social and emotional well-being and personal development of our students, addressing questions or issues that arise from the PSHE sessions in an open, sensitive and understanding manner.

Our PSHE sessions at Lydney C of E include a range of activities designed to include and support a wide-range of learners. Through circle times, drama, stories, group discussions and assemblies, students’ contributions are valued as an important part of the PSHE learning. External visits and also visitors to the school further support the teaching of PSHE. Opportunities such as workshops delivered by the SCARF Life Bus mobile classroom and school-led Children’s Mental Health Week help to provide memorable life skill lessons for the students in our care.

Our SCARF curriculum provides a detailed framework for developing a positive ethos across the school community, which contributes significantly to our British Values education. 

By using SCARF, we are ensuring these themes are taught, both explicitly and implicitly, in an age-appropriate way, across all year groups. Our curriculum is designed to enable children to develop responsibility for their own actions; respect for the actions and beliefs of others; understand how each individual is protected by the rule of law; and how everyone can make a positive contribution to society through the democratic process.

EYFS

In our EYFS class, SCARF is used to support the delivery of quality PSHE sessions. Through using the SCARF Early Years plans and the teacher’s own knowledge and understanding of the students, we are able to provide a spiral curriculum that provides the essential building blocks needed to meet the DfE's Relationships Education and Health Education requirements. Rather than prescribed lesson plans, the EYFS weekly plans have a range of resources, ideas and activities that will enhance child-led, in-the-moment planning and adult-guided pedagogies. PSHE opportunities at this age can take the form of whole-class discussions, adult-guided activities, independent activities, enhancements for Continuous Provision, circle time, stories and alike.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

In both Key Stages 1 and 2, PSHE lessons are delivered predominantly through the use of the progressive units mapped out by SCARF, which teachers are then able to adapt and enhance to support the unique needs of their classes.

Each year, every class has six core themes that structure their PSHE learning and these are revisited and built upon as they progress through the school. These overarching themes are

• Me and My Relationships
• Valuing difference
• Keeping Safe
• Rights and Respect
• Being My Best
• Growing and Changing

During PSHE lessons, students in KS1 and KS2 will actively participate in a range of practical, written and discursive activities designed to support the children’s thinking and development in PSHE. Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work, as well as improvisation, debate and teacher-led performances. Where appropriate, teachers make cross curricular links with other areas of learning. Other opportunities for PSHE learning, such as assemblies, visits and community events are also a key part of children’s PSHE experiences at this age.

Inclusion, Quality First Teaching, Support and Assessment:

An inclusive approach, teamed with a ‘Growth Mindset’, is adopted by both staff and students in PSHE sessions and the belief is that everyone can make a valued contribution to learning in PSHE. Children are encouraged to think carefully, persevere and show appreciation and understanding for others’ contributions and points of view.

Our PSHE curriculum at Lydney C of E School is designed to be a positive and inclusive experience for every student within our community. All children are given opportunities to explore and discuss in PSHE sessions and our teachers provide the time and space for students to develop personally, socially and emotionally. Through the SCARF scheme of work, there is a spiral curriculum, vocabulary progression and knowledge organisers which are all designed to ensure every lesson can be accessed by all pupils. Opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning come through effective questioning and developing pupil’s responses to PSHE learning. Staff also have access to SCARF resources and supporting videos to enable them to confidently teach and guide a range of learners when teaching PSHE.

Formative assessment is a key part of PSHE lessons at Lydney C of E School and teachers observe, listen to and question their students to check understanding and to move learning forward.

Extra-Curricular Provision

Lydney C of E values the personal, social, health and economic development of everyone within the school community and works hard to ensure children receive quality PSHE provision and education. Our staff encourage and champion children’s interests outside of school alongside their academic development. There are regular opportunities for children to talk, discuss and learn new skills. Children are encouraged to lead assemblies, join clubs, perform in plays and take ownership over their personal development both in and out of school. Lydney is a school where difference, diversity and personal development are nurtured and celebrated.

PSHE plays an integral part of our daily worship at Lydney C of E and children are given opportunities to explore their ideas and beliefs about the world, as well as current affairs. Moreover, PSHE learning is embedded within our actions and words at Lydney C of E; in the way we learn and develop as a school community.