Westbury Leigh Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
At Westbury Leigh we believe that every child should become independent young learners. Our Personal, Social, Health Education and RSE curriculums aim to ensure promotion of children’s independent, healthy, well behaved and emotionally ready for the next stage in their childhood. Through this fulfilling our School’s values of Respect, Responsibility and Courage. Through these or curriculum develops an appreciation and awareness of their unique abilities and individuality, recognising their differences and celebrating these whilst respected that of others. To achieve this as school we have partnered with KAPOW Primary PSHE, who provide the skills, knowledge and lessons which staff deliver.
Our Curriculum
The lessons cover the statutory requirements and have been carefully planned to be age appropriate. They also give the opportunity for children to revisit topics in different year groups. This is important as they will learn more and see things differently as they mature.
The lessons are divided up into three overarching themes:
- Families and relationships
- Health and wellbeing
- Safety and the changing body
The table below is a summary of some of the areas covered within each theme:
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Families and relationships
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Health and wellbeing
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Safety and the changing body
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• How to form and maintain friendships • Importance of family • Different types of families • Dealing with problems in friendships • Online relationships, including staying safe • Stereotyping |
• Mental health and wellbeing • Healthy eating • Physical activity • Dental health • Importance of sleep • Medicines • Tobacco • Alcohol • First aid |
• Online safety • Safety around adults • Understanding their body • Physical changes during puberty • Emotional changes during puberty • Asking for help when needed
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The lessons will give children the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of the topic. They will also be able to explore their feelings and ideas about topics and listen to the views of other people. The overall aim is for children to be able to make their informed choices and decisions.
Within this we have further aspects covered which include Citizenship, Economic Well-being and Transition
Our curriculum
Will my child have to take part?
All the content outlined above is statutory and therefore all children should be taught it. As with any other subject teachers will ensure that the lesson is taught in a way which means children of all abilities will learn. The government is very clear that they want children with special educational needs (SEN) to be included in these lessons.
As a parent you do not have the right to withdraw your child from any of the statutory content on either relationships or health. You only have the right to withdraw your child from the sex education content that we choose to teach, apart from National Curriculum Science. It is recommended that you talk to your child’s school about this before making a decision.
Parents and carers are sometimes concerned about the conversations children may have in PSHE lessons, but teachers have lots of ways to make sure children are safe in these lessons. For example, they will have ground rules to make sure children feel confident to share their ideas, they will use things like puppets and stories, so children are discussing a made up characters’ experiences rather than their own. They also know the children in their class well and will have a sense of their needs and what they teach will be age appropriate. It is important to balance what children know already and to prepare them for the future. Discussing issues in the safe learning environment of the classroom before they experience them in real life is very valuable for children.
Below are some links to help and support you:
Our PSHE-Parent Guide-KAPOW
Parent Guide-RSE
Bereavement
https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
https://www.wiltshiretreehouse.org.uk/
Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating Plate
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
https://www.wiltshirehealthyschools.org/core-themes/healthy-weight/healthy-me/
https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/
Feelings & Health
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/mental-health-parenting/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zm2st39
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/znhmwty/articles/z4q4bdm
Economic Well-being (Understanding money)
https://www.moneywellness.com/blog/parents-money-worries-have-knock-on-effect-on-childrens-wellbeing
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/money-and-mental-health/
https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/teachers/resources-8-12s/topic-9-how-does-money-affect-my-feelings/
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/talk-money/talk-learn-do
Healthy Body (exercise)
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-children-and-young-people/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/groups/ceq8p90x033t
RRS Article 28 You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can.
PANTS – The Underwear Rule:
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