PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT - PSHE and Citzenship / Healthy Schools at Haydock English Martyrs'

What is PSHCE?

Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economic Education explores topics which include Relationship and Sex Education (RSE), drugs education, mental health and wellbeing, British Values, personal hygiene, keeping safe in the community and also while online, healthy lifestyle choices, friendships, respiration and health, rights and responsibilities, democracy, self-esteem and much more.  Citizenship is about helping the children to understand their roles and responsibilities as a citizen. Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (S.M.S.C.) lessons are delivered using the adopted ‘Everyone is Welcome’ scheme.

PSHCE underpins all other areas of the curriculum and is an integral part of our school’s ethos.  Much of PSHCE is based upon improving the children’s self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing in order to allow the children to achieve their individual potential.

PSHCE topics are also taught through Science and R.E (Come and See) lessons as well as RSE lessons which are delivered using the ‘A Journey in Love’ programme.

The Curriculum

At Haydock English Martyrs’ we aim to equip children with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to promote and protect their social and emotional health and well-being. Through the teaching of Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship, Economic Education, children will learn how to stay safe and healthy, develop positive relationships and learn how to maintain friendships. Children will also explore how they can become active citizens who contribute to society in a positive manner whilst examining British values. Social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) themes will be explored throughout the teaching of both PSHCE and RE (Come and See). The learning outcomes and themes set out by the PSHE Association Programme of Study, which is recommended and referred to by the DfE, will be used to plan and deliver appropriate, broad and balanced PSHCE lessons to all children who attend the school. The three main themes that will be taught are: 1. Relationships; 2. Health and Wellbeing and 3. Living in the Wider World. Relationship Education will be delivered to all children from Early Years Foundation Stage to Year Six using the ‘A Journey in Love’ programme of study. This is the recommended programme of study for all Catholic schools and will be delivered as a progressive scheme to support the teaching of RE, PSHCE and Science.

Year group PSHCE objectives are mapped out using a two-year cycle format. We believe that this allows children to build on their prior knowledge and understanding of their previous learning whilst exploring the underlining principles of PSHCE Education at an age appropriate level. Medium Term planning is used which outlines suggested learning activities for each learning objective thus allowing PSHCE to be taught in a creative manner, using a range of approaches such as role play, games, discussions, outside agency sessions, visitors to the school and through attending off site educational visits.

Children in Years One to Six have their own Relationship Education book, ‘A Journey in Love’ which moves with them throughout the school and documents their understanding of aspects of ‘Relationship Education’ that have been taught.  Each class also has an ‘Relationship, Sex and Health (RSHE) book where children record any PSHCE or RSE work that they have completed throughout the year. Before the teaching and learning of a new topic commences, discussions take place to ensure that children’s existing knowledge and understanding is gained, and lessons are then tailored to the children’s individual needs. When necessary, interventions from the school’s learning mentor are made.

Assessment for Learning opportunities are built into each lesson allowing teaching staff to assess children’s knowledge and understanding and evaluate their teaching.