At Ilchester Community Primary School, we prioritise the holistic development of our students through our Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PHSE) education program. We implement the Jigsaw Scheme, a comprehensive and innovative approach designed to support students in their emotional and social development, as well as equip them with essential life skills.

What is Jigsaw? 

Jigsaw is an engaging and interactive scheme that covers a wide range of topics essential for students' well-being and personal growth. It is structured into six main units taught throughout the academic year, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education in PSHE.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of study At Ilchester Community Primary School, we teach PSHE through a whole-school approach to underpin our children’s development as well-rounded individuals who have the skills and resilience to manage the world around them in order to excel and achieve socially, emotionally, academically and economically. We know that in order for children to be successful with their learning, they at first need to feel safe and secure emotionally and feel a sense of belonging with their environment, peers and adults.

To ensure progression and a spiral curriculum, we use Jigsaw, the mindful approach to PSHE, as our chosen teaching and learning programme and tailor it to all children’s needs. Jigsaw provides a comprehensive, carefully planned curriculum which brings consistency to the approach and progression of skills and knowledge to our children’s learning in this vital curriculum area. The overview of the programme can be seen on the school website. Jigsaw also supports the “Personal Development” and “Behaviour and Attitude” aspects required under the Ofsted Inspection Framework, as well as significantly contributing to the school’s Safeguarding and Equality Duties, the Government’s British Values agenda and the Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC) development opportunities provided for our children.

At Ilchester Community Primary School, we are child-centred in all we do. We value PSHE as one way to support children’s holistic development as human beings, to enable them to understand and respect who they are, to empower them with a voice and to equip them for life and learning. We include the statutory Relationships and Health Education within our whole-school PSHE Programme.

The mapping document on the PSHE curriculum page shows exactly how Jigsaw and therefore, our school, meets the statutory Relationships and Health Education requirements.

Throughout Jigsaw, children are encouraged to reflect on their learning experiences and their progress. By reflecting, children can process and evaluate what they have learnt, which enables them to consolidate and apply their learning. They are also asked to stop and become aware of their thoughts and feelings at any given moment in Pause Points (brief pauses within the lesson where the children can have a couple of moments to just stop and be able to consider whether what they are learning may be particularly meaningful to them).

Intent

Our intention is that when children leave ICPS, they will do so with the knowledge, understanding and emotions to be able to play an active, positive and successful role in today’s diverse society. We want our children to have high aspirations, a belief in themselves and realise that anything is possible if they put their mind to it. In an ever–changing world, it is important that they are aware, to an appropriate level, of different factors which will affect their world and that they learn how to deal with these so that they have good mental health and well-being.

Our PSHE curriculum develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills which will enable children to access the wider curriculum and prepare them to be global citizens now and in their future careers within a global community. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life.

Our relationship learning enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.

Whole School Approach

Jigsaw covers all areas of PSHE for the primary phase, including statutory Relationships and Health Education, Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural education (SMSC) and the fundamental British Values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, and Individual Liberty. Each half-term the same learning theme (Puzzle Piece) is taught across the school. The learning within these themes deepens and broadens every year.

 

Key Units Covered:

1. Being Me in My World
   This unit focusses on self-awareness, understanding personal strengths, and developing a sense of belonging within the school community.

2. Celebrating Difference
   Students learn about diversity, acceptance, and the importance of empathy towards others, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment. 

3. Dreams and Goals
   This unit encourages students to set personal goals, understand the value of perseverance, and work towards achieving their aspirations.

4. Healthy Me
   This unit focuses on physical health, mental well-being, and healthy relationships. It teaches students to make informed choices and understand the importance of a balanced lifestyle.

5. Relationships
   This unit delves into building and maintaining healthy relationships, effective communication skills, and understanding boundaries.

6. Changing Me
   Students explore the changes that occur during puberty, understand emotional changes, and learn about the importance of self-acceptance and resilience.

Wider Curriculum

At ICPS PSHE is taught weekly in order to teach the PSHE knowledge and skills in a developmental and age-appropriate way. These explicit lessons are reinforced and enhanced in many ways: assemblies, reward systems and Jigsaw Learning Charter, through relationships from child to child, adult to child and adult to adult across the school. We aim to ‘live’ what is learnt and apply it to everyday situations in the school community.