We follow an exciting and ambitious curriculum from Reception to Year 6. Each topic has a question to focus the learning, which then has a set of steps towards a goal. The children's learning is also celebrated with specific outcomes at the end of each topic. For example, we might create exhibitions, perform plays or showcase work completed. Teachers plan for cross curricular opportunities in English and Maths wherever possible. The year is peppered with special days. These days provide pupils with an opportunity to examine a specific area in more detail, providing independent thinking and challenge.

Our Subject Leads work in teams so that they can share ideas and prepare and plan together for different subjects. Below is information for each group of subjects. For each of the subjects, we have developed our intent, implementation and impact statements to align with National Curriculum aims and with our school vision and aims.  In that way, the curriculum on offer to our Saint John's pupils is specific and relevant to each of them, ensuring that we grow their learning from their diverse roots, challenging them to reach up and reach out and preparing them for their lives in our community and beyond.

PSHE stands for Personal, Social, Health Education

RSE stands for Relationships and Sex Education

Intent

At Saint John’s CE Primary School, our vision is for all our children to flourish and grow to become healthy, independent, responsible and caring members of the community and wider society. Through our PSHE and RSE curriculum, we nurture every child to grow academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually so they can flourish both now and in the future.

Personal, Social, Health Education is central to every child’s educational journey and, as a cross curricular dimension, it supports all aspects of life in school. PSHE and RSE is an integral part of the whole curriculum and is also taught as a discreet subject from Reception through to Year 6.

Our PSHE and RSE curriculum supports children’s personal development, wellbeing, safeguarding awareness and preparation for life in modern Britain. It enables children to develop personally, socially and emotionally, giving them the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop their voice, identity and self-esteem while giving them the confidence to become active citizens in a diverse society. Children learn how to stay safe, build positive relationships, manage emotions, respect differences and make informed choices.

Our curriculum is rooted in our 5 C’s: Caring, Curriculum, Community, Challenge and Citizenship. These values shape the way we teach and support children, helping children become confident, respectful, resilient and responsible members of society.

Our Christian vision and values are strengthened in this area of learning, as our PSHE and RSE curriculum celebrates diversity, promotes caring attitudes and positive relationships, provides challenge and seeks to focus on reaching out to others within our community.

We use a whole-school approach, building on prior learning so that children make strong progress year on year and teachers understand what has come before and what will follow.

We also recognise the importance of working closely with parents and carers, as much of this area of learning is influenced by children’s experiences at home.

Finally, we understand the continued importance of supporting children’s health and mental wellbeing, recognising the lasting impact the pandemic has had on our whole school community.

Implementation

For our PSHE and RSE curriculum, we use Coram Life Education's SCARF resources. 

SCARF stands for:

Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship.

SCARF is a comprehensive framework of planning, resources assessment, which is regularly updated online. This programme of study meets all DfE requirements for statutory Relationships and Health Education and has also been mapped to the PSHE Association's Programme of Study.

One of the strengths of this programme of learning is its strong focus on community, which closely reflects our school values and vision. It helps children understand the important role that family, home life and the wider community play in shaping choices and relationships.  We aim to work closely with parents and carers to support their child's learning and build relationships which have a positive influence and are long-lasting.

PSHE and RSE are taught in a weekly or fortnightly lesson within the class and by the class teacher, alongside assemblies, themed days, workshops and wider enrichment opportunities.

There are six themes which build over the years:

• Me and My Relationships
• Valuing Differences
• Keeping Safe
• Rights and Respect
• Being my Best
• Growing and Changing

https://www.coramlifeeducation.org.uk/scarf

Learning is celebrated through meaningful outcomes such as class discussions, performances, displays, reflection activities and pupil voice opportunities.

Impact

The children of Saint John's live in a diverse community and come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Our aim is that our pupils leave primary school equipped to understand themselves and others in the varying contexts in which they will find themselves in the future.

We want our children to be safe, caring, resilient individuals who can build positive relationships, make responsible choices and contribute positively to society. They develop the confidence to use their voice, ask for help when needed, make informed decisions that support their wellbeing and achieve wonderful things! 

Through PSHE and RSE, our children leave Saint John’s as respectful, emotionally literate and responsible citizens who are ready for the next stage of education and prepared to flourish in life beyond primary school.