Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship Policy

 

This policy to be read in conjunction with:
The School Long Term Plan
Drugs Education Policy
Sex Education Policy
R.E. Policy
Child Protection Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Policy for Racial Equality
Policy for Positive Behaviour Management
Anti-bullying Policy
 
The documents that have informed this policy include:
National Curriculum non-statutory framework for PSHE and Citizenship at KS1 and 2.
QCA schemes of work for Citizenship: Key Stages 1 and 2
Every Child Matters
National Healthy Schools Programme
 
PSHE and Citizenship isn’t solely confined to a specific timetabled slot, but is delivered within our whole school ethos, and through assemblies and other subjects.
 
Aims and Objectives
PSHE and Citizenship enables children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in contributing to the life of the school and wider community. We teach them about rights and responsibilities.
 
The aims of PSHE and Citizenship are to enable children to: -
v      Know and understand what constitutes a healthy lifestyle.
v      Be aware of safety issues.
v      Understand what makes good relationships with others.
v      Have respect for others.
v      Be independent and responsible members of the community.
v      Be positive and active members of a democratic society.
v      Develop self-confidence and self-esteem, and make informed choices regarding personal and social issues.
v      Develop good relationships with other members of the school and the wider community.
 
Teaching and Learning Style
We use a range of teaching and learning styles. We place an emphasis on active learning and participation. They are encouraged to assess evidence, negotiate, make decisions, solve problems, work independently and in groups, and learn form each other through circle time, role play, visitors, case studies and real life situations.
 
We encourage the children to take part in a range of practical activities/events that promote active citizenship e.g. safety week, Health and Fitness week, charity fundraising, the planning of school special events, gala, church events etc. As part of Boston Network Learning Community, children have the opportunity to visit other schools in the network, attend events such as Pupil Conference Day and visit the Houses of Parliament. We have introduced a ‘Playground Pals’ system to improve playtimes for children.
 
We invite visiting speakers, such as the school nurse, police, and representatives from the local Church in to school to talk about their role in creating a positive and supportive local community.
 
Our school council hold regular meetings to discuss issues brought up in class council meetings. This is led by our Learning Mentor.
 
 
We introduce PSHE and Citizenship through many other subjects, e.g. when teaching local environmental issues in geography. There is a large overlap between the programme of study for R.E. and the aims of PSHE and Citizenship. Therefore we teach a considerable amount of PSHE and Citizenship through other lessons.
 
We aim to offer a residential visit every year in Upper KS2, where pupils’ self-esteem and group leadership and cooperative skills are focussed on.
 
Foundation Stage
We teach PSHE and Citizenship to our Reception children as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. We relate the PSHE and Citizenship aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Foundation Stage, Early Learning Goals (ELG’S). We also support citizenship education when we teach ‘how to develop a child’s knowledge and understanding of the world!’
 
PSHE and Special Educational Needs
For a child with Special Educational needs, their Individual Education plan (IEP) may include, as appropriate, specific targets relating to PSHE and Citizenship.
 
Assessment, Recording and Reporting
 
Assessment
Teachers assess the children’s work in PSHE and Citizenship through pupil discussions, self-assessment, peer assessment and making informal judgements as they observe them during lessons. At the end of each unit of work, teachers complete an assessment for each child based on the units learning objectives. Scoring 1 – below average, 2 – average and 3 – above average.
 
Recording
We keep records for each child, including information on their academic achievements and progress made in school. These records are regularly updated during the year.
 
Reporting
Details of PSHE and Citizenship are included in the school prospectus. At Parent’s evenings the PSHE and Citizenship of the children will be discussed. A report is sent to parents at the end of each term, using the termly assessment data.
Children’s achievement is recognised each week in a Celebration Assembly. Certificates, sports/community awards, swimming badges, golden letters, attendance certificates, golden boot challenge, effort trophies and Gold Medal Challenge medals are presented. At the end of Christmas, Easter and Summer term an Award Celebration Assembly is held. Parents are invited to attend the presentation of prefect status, best effort trophies and full attendance for the academic term/year.
The PSHE and Citizenship Subject Leader monitors the standards of children’s work and the quality of teaching.
 
Monitoring and Evaluation
The PSHE Co-ordinator monitors the standard of children’s work and the quality of teaching.
The Subject Leader gives information about current developments in the subject, and feedback from relevant courses in regular staff and SLT meetings.
 
Resources
The PSHE Co-ordinator is currently purchasing a scheme of work for Key Stage One, which matches the successful resource presently used in Key Stage Two. The books are spirally linked by the same concepts, principles and format that provide the basis for the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum, which we deliver at Old Leake Primary School. They form the basis for the school’s Long Term Plan.
 
Staff Development
Training is provided (at times through the subject co-ordinator), and courses attended by staff. A record of training and courses attended is maintained in the office. Staff report back to staff meetings the outcomes of their training. The Co-ordinator has completed the Certification in the Teaching of PSHE.
 
Handling Sensitive and Controversial Issues
When sensitive and controversial issues arise, teachers are careful to ensure that their personal beliefs and attitudes do not influence the teaching of PSHE and Citizenship.
Ground Rules and Distancing Techniques
  • Pupils will be given preparation so that they will know how to minimise any embarrassment they feel.
  • No one (teacher or pupil) should be expected to answer a personal question.
  • No one will be forced to take part in a discussion.
  • Meanings of words will be explained in a sensible and factual way.
 
Dealing with Questions
  • Teacher will establish clear parameters about what is appropriate and inappropriate in a whole-class setting.
  • Teachers will set the tone by speaking in a matter -of -fact way and ensure that pupils discuss issues in a way which does not encourage giggling and silliness.
  • If a verbal question is too personal, the teacher will remind the pupil of the ground rules.
  • If a question is too explicit, feels too old for the pupil, is inappropriate for the whole class, or raises concerns about abuse, the teacher will acknowledge it and attend to it later on an individual basis.
  • Teachers will not provide more information than it is appropriate to the age of the children in the class.
  • If a teacher is concerned that a pupil is at risk of abuse, the Headteacher will be informed and the school’s child protection procedures put into place.
 
 
National Healthy Schools Standard
 
The school is currently working towards the accreditation for the Healthy Schools Standard, and has achieved the following to date:
  • Provided a healthy tuckshop
  • Increased the uptake of Healthy Snacks through the implementation of a Healthy Snack Policy at break-times
  • Held many events e.g. Breakfast Week, Fruity Friday and Health and Fitness Week
  • Reduced conflict at playtimes by increasing the variety of play opportunities e.g. activity/games/equipment boxes/climbing wall/playground pals/ tyre trail/willow structures etc.
  • Provided traditional playground games and positive play training for lunchtime supervisors
  • Provided hot lunches
  • Provided fit kids programmes.
  • Provided after school clubs.
  • Provided water coolers and water bottles.
 
 
We are currently working towards the following targets:
  • Implementing SEAL document and to give training.
  • Plan and establish a designated wild area to encourage more natural wildlife
  • Provide cycle storage for the safe storage of pupils and staffs cycles
 
 
 
Review
 
The Headteacher and staff have constant access to the policy.
 
 
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