PSHE
PSHE – Personal Social and Health Education
At Highfield, we believe that the teaching and learning of Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) plays a fundamental part in our curriculum. Our intent is to prepare all children for their future lives by equipping them with the skills and knowledge need to manage their lives and to develop into well-rounded members of the society. Pupils at Highfield are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across and beyond the curriculum, contributing fully to the life of their school and communities. In doing so they learn to recognise their own worth, work as a team and become increasingly responsible for their own learning.
Our PSHE education provides all children with opportunities to inclusively explore, understand and be reflective about their own thoughts and beliefs, whilst showing an understanding for and respect for different peoples’ values, faiths and emotions. Pupils reflect on their experiences and understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. They learn to understand and respect our common humanity; diversity and differences so that they can go on to form the effective, fulfilling relationships that are an essential part of life and learning. Developing this understanding of themselves, others and the world around them, supports children in developing and maintaining positive relationships, managing their emotions and ensuring they look after their own wellbeing. As a result, developing the skills and attitudes needed to lead healthy, safe and fulfilling lives. We aim to provide children with a strong PSHE education where they are enabled to become successful learners and achieve their full potential now and in the future.
Read our PSHE Overview here.
Circle Times
We believe circle times are an effective way for pupils to share their own ideas regarding issues which may arise in the classroom as well as the community and global issues. It enables them to develop skills such as open-mindedness, criticality and social and emotional development. Each class is unique and therefore circle times in class will all have a different approach dependent on the needs of the pupils.
Role-Play
Another powerful teaching tool in the class room is role-play. The pupils are shown and act out different situations and can identify how an issue could be resolved by making an informed decision.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
We cover computer safety regularly and discuss different forms of negative abuse and possible dangers of communicating with strangers online. Children are taught about how to keep safe online and protect their identity as well as cyber bullying and how to report it.
Technology is now a huge part of children’s everyday lives and we are aware children are using it at home and exploring a range of different apps.
We recommend that when your child is online, you are aware of what games they are on and check they are age appropriate and that your child is not at any risk of talking to strangers.
Helpful Links
PANTS
Another key part of the PSHE curriculum is teaching the children that their body belongs to them and to ensure it remains private. They are made aware that they should not show their private body parts to anyone.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/
Behaviour
At Highfield, we expect all of our pupils to have positive attitudes and each treat others the way they wish to be treated. We believe that every child and every adult at our school has the right to feel happy and safe, to feel valued and to be treated with respect.
Our Golden Rules reinforce the expectations of behaviour at school to ensure everyone feels secure and safe.
Golden Rules
- We are kind and helpful and respect each other’s cultures
- We enjoy learning in class and let others do the same
- We are polite to each other and take it in turns to speak
- We always behave sensibly and safely in school
- We listen to the staff and do what they say straight away
- We take care of our school and equipment
The Highfield Five
We are an inclusive school, which celebrates cultural diversity and tackles discrimination and bullying.
Anti-Bullying Week
- What are the different forms of bullying?
- What may bullying look like?
- What to do if you think you are being bullied.
- Who to speak to if you think you are being bullied.
- How might others feel if they’re being bullied?
- What do you do if you witness someone else being bullied?
- What do you do if someone wants you to join in with the bullying?
- How can buddies and supervisors help in the playground?
- What are the roles of the mini-mentors?
- What are the roles of the learning mentors?
We invite in different charities, which promote staying healthy, and emotional and economic wellbeing and mental health such as the NSPCC and other mental health charities.
We hold many workshops at Highfield and invite external agencies such as community police and the Youth Engagement Panel to share their knowledge and expertise with the pupils.
Our priority at Highfield is to ensure all children are safe and happy at school and in the wider community. We encourage our pupils to play a positive role in the community through choosing to support their own charities, taking part in Junior Citizenship workshops in Year 6 and having the opportunity to learn first aid.
