PSHE/Jigsaw
Intent
At Cotmanhay Junior School, our PSHE curriculum aims to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to thrive as individuals in an ever-changing world. We build on statutory content outlined in the national curriculum and follow the ‘Jigsaw’ scheme of work. This is a comprehensive programme for Primary PSHE including statutory Relationships and Health Education providing children with relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others. Our whole-school approach teaches PSHE through mindfulness where children build upon their learning of each puzzle every year.
Through our curriculum, pupils develop an understanding of personal safety, emotional literacy, relationships and health and wellbeing. PSHE enables children to make informed decisions and become active and responsible citizens.
Jigsaw holds children at its heart, and its cohesive vision helps children understand and value how they fit into and contribute to the world. With strong emphasis on
emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health, Jigsaw 3-11 properly equips schools to deliver engaging and relevant PSHE within a whole-school
approach. Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration, focus and self-regulation. These opportunities for spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development and emotional literacy are integral to children's understanding of themselves and others and to increasing their capacity to learn.
Implementation
At Cotmanhay Junior School, we use a spiral curriculum that builds knowledge and skills year upon year. Lessons are delivered weekly and provide opportunities for mindfulness, discussion, collaborative learning and reflection. There are six puzzles in Jigsaw that are designed to progress in sequence throughout the year:
Autumn 1: Being Me in My World
Autumn 2: Celebrating Difference
Spring 1: Dreams and Goals
Spring 2: Healthy Me
Summer 1: Relationships
Summer 2: Changing Me
Each lesson offers offers opportunities for SMSC development, clearly mapped and balanced across each year group, alongside structured opportunities to practise and enhance the five skills associated with emotional literacy: self-awareness, social skills, empathy, motivation and managing feelings. During Spring 1, we also cover first aid as a statutory part of health education. Across school, pupils will learn how to call for help, how to check breathing and how to help someone choking. This is taught using the St John’s Ambulance Recommended First Aid Pathway. British Values and protected characteristics are developed at an age-appropriate level through PSHE lessons and assemblies. A range of teaching strategies including role-play, scenario-based learning and class discussions encourage collaboration.
The subject leader is responsible for monitoring the quality of teaching and learning of PSHE from year 3 to year 6. At our school monitoring is completed termly. During this time, the subject lead will conduct lesson observations and book scrutinies as well as draw conclusions through staff questionnaires and pupil voice.