PSHE

Gamlingay Village Primary School is a nurturing environment in which each child is encouraged to reach their full potential. As a school we celebrate each child’s uniqueness. We believe that children are all individuals, and we strive for all stakeholders to fully understand and participate in our school values of respect, aspire and grow. Through the delivery of our PSHE curriculum at GVP we aim to equip children to be able to become confident, respectful, healthy and resilient individuals who understand their role in the lives of others and form positive relationships. They will have used critical thinking skills and reflection to allow them to approach challenges and issues that will arise during their lives with confidence. We hope that they will be those who will champion healthy attitudes to diversity, sustainability, mental and physical health and compassion towards others. The need for children to understand and practise ways of promoting their own health both physical and mental and live in a fast progressing society. PSHE helps children acquire British values and attitudes which are necessary if they are to make sense of their experiences within school and life itself, value themselves, respect others, appreciate differences and diversity and feel confident and informed as a British citizen. We teach PSHE explicitly from Reception to Year 6, however the Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Prime Areas in Early Years run through every aspect of our Learning in our Foundation Stage.  

PSHE plays an integral part in developing children’s growth mindset, self-confidence and understanding the impact of actions on others and their lives. It is crucial that PSHE is not just taught as a standalone subject, the values taught in PSHE are seen in all areas of the curriculum. At Gamlingay, we feel it is crucial that children feel they are heard and can share their opinions and beliefs at any time. We believe that PSHE and RSE are taught by the class teacher. The PSHE curriculum has been designed to follow a two-year cycle, where the children are able to learn a wide variety of issues and topics. Through the use of key questions we use a similar approach to that of other subjects whereby a balance is found between teaching content and allowing children to identify their own beliefs, values and approaches. Links will be made clear between PSHE and other curriculum subjects such as health and exercise in PE, digital safety in Computing and reproduction and growth in science.?The Whole School Overview is carefully planned to meet the needs of the different cohorts and the demographic needs of our children. We follow Cambridgeshire County Council PSHE Scheme of Work, however teachers are able to adapt and delve into topics at a deeper level when required.  

The Department for Education requires all schools ‘to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’ The school’s values and ethos is one of tolerance and respect. The recognition that all people are to be valued regardless of beliefs, background or ethnic origin is reflected in the school’s Equality Statement and rooted in the school’s Mission Statement and Aims. Our school actively promotes British values through our PSHE Curriculum but also inside and outside of the wider curriculum in the following ways: 

Democracy - Pupils are taught how they can influence decision making through the democratic process and have the opportunity to have their voices heard within the school. The pupil elected school council works with staff to improve the school and influence school policy. In addition, pupil questionnaires and interviews are further opportunities to promote the pupil voice within the school and to prioritise actions and evaluate the success and impact of change. Class teachers often use class votes to decide upon class activities. 

The Rule of Law - We actively promote and teach the pupils about the rules of law that governs the class, school or country. Policies and procedures are in place to tackle behaviour and attitudes which are contrary to the school’s moral code and expectations. Pupils are taught the difference between right and wrong as well as the importance of honesty, forgiveness and reparation through our class and school rules. Pupils are taught the value and reasons behind laws, that they govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken. Visits from authorities such as the Police; the Fire Service and Road Safety teams are regular parts of our calendar and help reinforce this message. We also have a yearly visit by the NSPCC where they learn about the importance of following various rules/laws to ensure their own personal safety and that of others. 

Individual Liberty - Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, constantly making choices, within a safe and supportive environment. Developing their self- esteem and self-confidence is very important and this is done in an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance within the school. Pupils are encouraged to understand their personal freedoms and are taught how to use these rights to best effect, alongside the responsibilities that go with these rights. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices within the school, ranging from the pupil choice challenges in lessons to the participation of extra-curricular activities, right down to the choice of their school lunch. 

Mutual Respect - Mutual respect is one of our school values. Children learn that their behaviours influence their own rights and those of others. All members of the school community treat each other with respect. Pupils are regularly involved in activities in assemblies and class, where they are helped to understand why mutual respect is a vital value and where they can reflect on the ways in which we can show respect to one another. 

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs - Pupils are reminded of their place in a culturally diverse society. This is achieved through our Religious Education curriculum. Assemblies and class work promote the diversity of society and the right for each person to be respected and valued equally regardless of ability, gender, faith, heritage or race. Members of different faiths or religions are invited to school to share their knowledge and enhance learning within assemblies and in class. Children in KS2 visit a local mosque and a church to understand different places of worship. Active support of charities, both in Britain and overseas, develops the children’s appreciation of and respect for the differences and inequalities in the world and of all the things that we share as human beings, for example the need for food, shelter, security and love.

RSE Knowledge Organisers

RSE Year 1

RSE Year 2

RSE Year 3

RSE Year 4

RSE Year 5

RSE Year 6