PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) is taught through the Islington You, Me, PSHE scheme. The scheme is divided into the following strands: physical health; mental health and wellbeing; identity and equality; keeping safe and managing risk; financial capability; and drug, alcohol and tobacco education. The ‘Relationships’ part of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) is also part of the PSHE Curriculum – in the ‘Relationships and Health Education’ strand – and is compulsory in all Primary Schools.
Relationships and Sex Education is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. RSE within PSHE education aims to give children and young people essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitative relationships and the skills to stay safe both off and online. It enables pupils to explore their own and others’ attitudes and values and builds their self-esteem and confidence. For more information about RSE, please see the policy below.
Within each strand of PSHE, there are age-appropriate topics for each year group, with one topic studied per half term. A good PSHE lessons establishes a safe and supportive environment, with clear ground rules and sensitive management of discussions by class teachers. Story and role play are often a feature of lessons.
PSHE is supported in the EYFS and Key Stage 1 through using Leuven Scales to establish levels of wellbeing and involvement. Tool such as ‘Box Full of Feelings’ are used to develop children’s emotional literacy.
The TfL STARS programme supports children with safe travel and acting responsibly when out in the community. Events and workshops are interwoven throughout children’s time at Hargrave Park to supplement learning. These include learning around fire safety, safe travel and community services.
The annual residential to Cardfields also provides rich opportunity for development in independence, teamwork and emotional wellbeing.
Weekly class meetings help children to think as a community and often promote debate. Wider school life, such as our buddy and House systems, prompt personal and social development outside of the classroom. Children are supported by the pastoral care team to problem-solve and make good choices when challenges arise.
Philosophy for children is an additional approach used across the school to support the children’s critical and flexible thinking, reasoning and questioning posing.