PSHE Subject Leader - Mrs K Burden

Please click here to see our Curriculum Intent statement

What is PSHE Education?

PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health Education

PSHE education is a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives – now and in the future. As an Academy we have chosen after extensive research and recommendations from other schools in the borough to deliver our PSHE curriculum through use of a scheme called ‘Jigsaw – the mindful approach to PSHE’.

What is Jigsaw, and how does it work?

Jigsaw is a comprehensive and completely original PSHE Education program for the whole primary school from Years F1 and 2 through to Year 6 (ages 3-11). It was launched in July 2013 and hundreds of schools across the country are using it.

Jigsaw has two aims for all children:

• To build their capacity for learning

• To equip them for life

Jigsaw brings together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, mindfulness, social skills and spiritual development. A variety of teaching strategies are used and are mindful of each child’s preferred learning style. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike. There is a Weekly Celebration that highlights a theme from that week’s lesson across the school, and encourages children to reflect that learning in their behaviour and attitudes.

What impact has introducing Jigsaw had on our children?

Towards the end of the first year of us adopting the Jigsaw Scheme of work the staff delivering the lessons were asked for some feedback relating to its implementation.  Here are just some of their comments;

In your opinion has it positively impacted on the schools ethos and culture? If so, how?

100% responded with ‘yes’ it has positively impacted upon the schools ethos and culture.

"It teaches respect, children develop understanding of others"

"It has helped to promote a culture of ‘it’s ok to be different’ and has helped celebrate those differences in a positive way."

"Everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to share their feelings"

"There is now a ‘whole school’ ethos about PSHE and as current Y1 children move to Y2, and R to Y1 etc. they will see the journey for themselves and it will have further positive impact"

How do you feel it has impacted on our pupils?

Do you feel it has developed the pupil’s emotional literacy?

(E.g. dealing with anger or stress in a positive way and being able to express themselves)

100% responded with ‘yes’ they felt it had helped develop the children’s emotional literacy.

"I have had children come up to me after playtime saying that they had fallen out but had used some of the skills learnt in jigsaw to resolve it".

"Personally for our class the children are able to deal with minor issues and are able to go to teaching/support staff if there are bigger issues."

"We have had lots of opportunities to discuss emotions and ways of dealing with negative feelings."

"I do not have a particularly boisterous class but on the odd occasions when lunchtime/playtime incidents do occur children are handling themselves and their emotions more positively."

"It has helped to build their confidence and express their emotions."

"We have a lot of emotional children who are able to explain and express their feelings in a more positive way."

"It has helped us to talk through what we should do in certain situations."

"Children refer to jigsaw lessons often when discussing behavioural issues/feelings"

"Its early days but once firmly embedded I can envisage a big impact. For some children it has begun to change the way they express themselves when dealing with anger/stress and we see evidence of this in class and on the playground as the children are not so quick to react negatively."

Do you think it encourages the pupils to become more open to discussing issues affecting their lives?

100% of staff responded with ‘yes’, it did encourage children to be more open.

"It’s given them the forum to be able to talk about issues affecting their lives within a calm, safe environment where everyone respects each other."

"Most issues discussed relate to school life, less about home life. All children do discuss topics openly and honestly and there is a respect for confidentiality etc. Jigsaw has been good for this."

"It gives the children a purpose and reason to talk."

"Because of the scenarios given via Jigsaw sessions it has given lots of opportunities for discussion."

"The children look forward to their jigsaw lessons as they enjoy sharing their thoughts, opinions and experiences."

"In Jigsaw lessons they do share lots and are very tolerant of what the other children say."
 

MORE DETAIL!

Each half term we work on a different ‘puzzle piece’ of the jigsaw.

We thought it might be helpful to share an overview of what we will be exploring so that you can ask your child about it at home.

Our puzzles for the spring term are…

Changing Me - Summer 1

We will be; 

• Exploring cycles of life in nature
• Looking at the natural process of  growing from young to old and understanding that this is not in my control
• Recognising how my body has changed since I was a baby and where I am on the continuum from young to old
• Recognising the physical differences between boys and girls
• Understanding that there are different types of touch and that I can tell you which ones I like and don’t like
• Identifying what I am looking forward to as I grow older

Healthy Me - Summer 2

We will be;

• Discussing how our bodies are amazing and identifying some ways to keep it safe and healthy
• Exploring what relaxed means and identifying some things that make us feel relaxed and some that make us feel stressed
• Learning how to keep ourselves clean and healthy, and understanding how germs cause disease/ illness
• Finding out how medicines work in our bodies and how important it is to use them safely
• Sorting foods into the correct food groups and identifying which foods our bodies need every day to keep us healthy, identifying which foods to eat to give our bodies energy
• Learning about the importance of being physically active and how this is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle

Children's Mental Health Week 2023 'Let's Connect'

Children’s Mental Health Week took place during our Spring 1 term. The week is organised by the children's mental health charity Place2Be, in order to raise awareness of the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

During the week we helped to further raise the children's awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing through the delivery of a range of assemblies, which were followed up in the classroom with activities that helped to explore the theme further. The children enjoyed reading the story of The Invisible Thread – By Patrice Karst, and engaged well with the follow up activities.  Some of the work produced from these activities will be included within the planned update of our academy entrance display, which will focus upon mental health and wellbeing. We do hope that you found the Place2Be information sheet useful in suggesting meaningful ways to connect with you child/children.  Please see the link below if you didn't get an opportunity to view the ideas.

ANTI-BULLYING WEEK 2022 'REACH OUT'

Each Year MGIA takes part in our annual Anti-Bullying Week.  This year's theme was 'Reach Out'. During this week the children covered several Jigsaw lessons, which incorporated the anti-bullying theme.  Our assemblies during this week also covered anti-bullying themes.  We all contributed towards a whole academy anti-bullying display, which is positioned on our way out to the playground, and we held an anti-bullying non-uniform day when everyone was invited to come to school wearing items of blue clothing (blue being linked to ant-bullying).  Anti bullying wristbands were available for children to purchase as part of our 'wear blue to school' day, which promoted this years message - Reach out!    We raised a total of £186.35, which was donated to the anti-bullying charity, 'Anti Bullying Alliance' which helps to support people affected by bullying. 

We will continue to work hard towards coming together and reaching out to one another to stop bullying behaviour from happening.

We hope you found the parent anti-bullying toolkit useful.  Please see link below to access it if you didn't spot it on our parent letter.

Anti-Bullying Alliance - parent tool kit

Click on the link below;

Anti-Bullying Parent Tool kit link

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health & Wellbeing Parent Presentation

May 2023

Many thanks to all of the parents/carers who attended this workshop.  You can access the Power point presentation which was delivered as part of the presentation below (within our useful documents section), just scroll down the page to locate this section.

Growth Mindset Parent Workshop

‘Creating a Growth Mindset Culture in MGIA’ March 2022

We have been reviewing our current approach to encouraging the children's development of growth mindset.

Through school council meetings the children have played an important role in reviewing our approach and making suggestions towards its development.

The children felt that the current approach was very wordy and complicated and they found it hard to remember what each animal promoted.

We have simplified the whole concept, with resilience and perseverance being at the core, alongside encouraging independence and collaboration.  So we therefore invited parents/carers to attend a  workshop to share developments within this area. The workshop was led by our PSHE Subject leader Kate Burden.

Many thanks to all of the parents/carers who attended the workshop, and for you positive feedback comments.  You can access the Power Point presentation which was delivered as part of the workshop below (within our useful documents section), just scroll down the page to locate this section.

Here is a selection of the comments that parents/carers were kind enough to put forward, following on from the workshop;

'Personally I found it interesting and a great help.  I'm currently returning to Education due to a change in career and this has helped my personal mind set.  I think the children will progress with more confidence after this.  Thank you.'

'As a parent anything that will benefit my child's education is greatly appreciated.  I found it very interesting and look forward to seeing amazing results.'

'Very useful and valued session.  Good to see these important concepts being introduced early and put into practice.  good power point presentation.  Any additional ideas and resources to help with this at home would be welcome'

'Very useful.  The content exactly described my daughters behaviour.  We will definitely try to apply the content and try to help my daughter.'

'Very informative and useful session.  good to know that the children are learning to develop their skills.'

'The growth mind set workshop was very informative.  It is great to gain an understanding of schemes running in school so we can support our children at home.  I think it is brilliant how the pupils have been given ownership.'

RSE Parent Workshop

‘Talking about our bodies, relationships and keeping ourselves safe’ March 2020

We are currently working on reviewing and updating our current RSE policy so that we are ready for the statutory requirements which come into place in September 2020.  So we therefore invited parents/carers to attend a  workshop to share developments within this area. The workshop was led by Natasha Chamberlain who is Senior Education Improvement Advisor for Health and Wellbeing within Solihull Education and Improvement Service alongside our PSHE Subject leader Kate Burden.

Many thanks to all of the parents/carers who attended the workshop, we had a good turn out with over 30 parents/carers attending.  You can access the Power Point presentation that was delivered as part of the workshop below (within our useful documents section), alongside the Jigsaw parent advice leaflets too.

Here is a selection of the comments that parents/carers were kind enough to put forward, following on from the workshop;

"I found the session really interesting and will make it easier when my child asks me questions regarding relationships. Thank you"

"Very good approach to learning in this subject.  Very happy at how age appropriate this is"

"Thank you for today.  Working together will prepare them for their future 'big girl' and 'big boy' talk.  Food for thought and given me a heads up.  Times are changing and it pays to be open and honest"

"A very informative workshop.  Great opportunity for parents to gain an insight into this aspect of the curriculum"

"I liked the approach the school takes in this and enjoyed the session and info for my child and how to support them"

"I felt reassured following the workshop.  I felt the two ladies that delivered it were knowledgable, respectful of parents views and delivered the information well."

"Thank you.  Great parent RSE workshop.  This provided me with useful and interesting information."

Relax Kids

Relax Kids offers a unique system of children’s relaxation and mindfulness that helps children to decrease stress and anxiety, increase attention span and improve concentration.  Relax Kids also supports good mental health, pupil self-esteem and resilience.

The resources provided through Relax Kids sessions promote social, emotional and behavioural skills in children.  It helps give children tools to manage their emotions and frustrations and helps build their self esteem and confidence. 

Our Year 1 cohort of children thoroughly enjoyed their sessions with Alison Core (Relax Kids coach), and Year 1 staff felt that the sessions were of great benefit to the children.  Here are some of the positive feedback comments that our Year 1 staff have made, reflecting upon the impact that they felt that Relax Kids sessions had made.

You can talk with the children about what they have done in the sessions if they need to calm down for any reason.

Within the groups of children that I work with I have noticed a change in their ability to listen more carefully to instructions and have a calmer approach to their work.

Whilst I am not in the sessions, from talking to the children I know that they all enjoy their sessions, especially the massage techniques.

Listening skills have improved, they are able to sit still, stay calm and listen to music played at the end of their Relax Kids sessions.  Skills relating to working together well have improved too.

It has a calming effect on the children.

Children could not easily relax and stay still for a period of time, but my class are more able to do this now and are aware of the breathing techniques if they need to use them.

The children have an understanding of appropriate contact/touch and know to ask for permission before hugging etc. and that not everyone likes it.

Please click below to view the following Policies:

PSHE Policy

Mental Health Policy

Drug Education Policy

Food Policy

Relationships Education Policy

Useful Websites

Drugs and Alcohol

The following websites give Information and guidance relating to how to talk to your children about alcohol awareness.

We have chosen to add this to our website in response to our most recent HRBQ data which highlighted that an increasing number of children are 'tasting' alcoholic drinks.

General Websites of Interest