PHSE and RRSA

PSHE Rationale

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) is an important part of the curriculum at The Oaks Primary.

PSHE is a program of learning through which children acquire the skills and knowledge they need to live healthy and happy lives now and in the future. Through PSHE education children develop and build on ‘Life Skills’ that they need to succeed as individuals and as a member of society.  

At The Oaks Primary School we follow Jigsaw for our PSHE.

Designed as a whole-school approach, Jigsaw PSHE / Health and Well-being provides a detailed and comprehensive scheme of learning for ages 3-16.  

Jigsaw is a unique, spiral, progressive and effective scheme of work, aiming to prepare children/young people for life, helping them really know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world.

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

Every Piece has two Learning Intentions, one specific to PSHE (including Relationships and Health Education) and the other designed to develop emotional literacy and social skills.

Puzzles are launched with a whole-school assembly containing an original song, with each year group studying the same unit at the same time (at their own level), building sequentially through the school year, facilitating whole-school learning themes.

The various teaching and learning activities are engaging and mindful of different learning styles and the need for differentiation and the Early Years (EYFS) planning is aligned to the National Early Years Framework (England).

Jigsaw’s Units of Work (Puzzles) are:

1. Being Me in My World

Includes understanding my place in the class, school and global community as well as devising Learning Charters.

2. Celebrating Difference

Includes anti-bullying (cyber and homophobic bullying included) and diversity work.

3. Dreams and Goals

Includes goal-setting, aspirations for yourself and the world and working together.

4. Healthy Me

Includes drugs and alcohol education, self-esteem and confidence as well as healthy lifestyle choices.

5. Relationships

Includes understanding friendship, family and other relationships, conflict resolution and communication skills.

6. Changing Me

This puzzle includes sex and relationships education in the context of coping positively with change. (includes age-appropriate sex education – in line with the SRHE followed in school)

The Rights Respecting School Award

At The Oaks Primary School, we aim to provide rich leaning opportunities that allow children to reach their full potential in a safe and happy learning environment. As part of our school’s aims to promote a happy and successful school, we have achieved the ‘Rights Respecting School’ Silver Award and are working towards the Gold Award. These are awards which are given to schools on behalf of UNICEF.

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. In 1989, governments worldwide promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential.

The ‘Rights Respecting School’ award (RRSA) will help our pupils to grow into confident, caring and responsible young citizens both in school and within the wider community. By learning about their rights, our pupils learn about the importance of respecting the rights of others.

Work we have done so far:

• In summer 2015, we achieved our Recognition of Commitment (ROC)

• In 2018, we achieved the ‘Rights Respecting School’ Bronze Award

• In 2020 we achieved our Silver Award.

• Classes throughout the school have studied the rights and created a class charter to document the rights that are important to them and how they will respect these rights

• Held assemblies that link to the rights

• Include the rights on the fortnightly newsletter

• Implemented a Rights Respecting Council (RRC)

• The RRC have met to discuss issues in school that relate to our rights, such as charity events, play times and the class charters

• We have raised money as a school for local charities

• We have designed a Rights Respecting Schools Mascot; Polly the Rights Parrot

• Polly has started to visit each class in the school to help children learn about their rights