Being a Philosopher at Gomeldon Primary School - PSHE

Intent

At Gomeldon Primary School, we are committed to a high-quality, enquiry-based PSHE curriculum that will help pupils, in particular our most disadvantaged learners, to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of PSHE. Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure that all pupils learn about the key issues and concepts of PSHE during their time at school, whilst also equipping them with secure methods of Philosophical enquiry and a Philosophical perspective. Topics are informed by the National Curriculum and are structured to ensure that current learning is linked to previous knowledge and understanding. Learning experiences are enriched through opportunities such as educational visits and visitors to the school.

Our PSHE curriculum supports our “R Values”:

Reflection: Gomeldon pupils are supported to develop the skill of “Philosophical thinking” through our “Key Questions” curriculum, class and group discussions. Pupils will learn about key issues within families and relationships, Health and Wellbeing, Safety and the changing body, Citizenship, Economic Wellbeing and Identity.

Resourcefulness: Gomeldon Primary School encourages pupils to be resourceful in their approach to learning PSHE. They will draw on their prior knowledge and be encouraged to develop an investigative and problem-solving attitude which will provided excellent preparation for later study within primary school and beyond.

Resilience: In their study of PSHE, pupils will be required to find “solutions” to “Key Questions”, and empathise with key issues, beliefs and cultures. Pupils will need to work both independently and as part of a group, and be able to accept feedback from others who may respectfully challenge their opinions.

Relationships: pupils will work collaboratively to explore topics and “Key Questions”, sharing ideas and deciding on a suitable approach to a problem. Pupils will be supportive of each other, and respectful as they share ideas and celebrate each other’s successes.

Implementation

In line with the NC 2014, the curriculum at Gomeldon ensures that all pupils are taught about: Families and Relationships; Health and Wellbeing; Safety and the Changing Body; Citizenship; Economic Wellbeing and Identity.

Furthermore, pupils will develop: a broad Philosophical vocabulary of words; an understanding of key concepts; an appreciation of how cultural and religious beliefs influence communities.

In Key Stage One, pupils focus on building fundamental skills and knowledge that support children’s wellbeing, relationships and personal development. These are taught through Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living In The Wider World

In Key Stage Two, pupils build on the foundations of Key Stage 1 and cover more complex topics to support children’s personal development, mental and physical health and understanding of relationships and citizenship. The core areas of KS2 PSHE are as follows:

Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, Living in the Wider World and Developing Skills for Life.

PSHE is taught in termly blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve depth in their learning. PSHE lessons are based around “Key Questions” to encourage pupils to develop the knowledge and skills they need to be capable and reflective learners in the subject now, and beyond primary school. 

Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. 

Outcomes of work are monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge.

Impact

Books evidence a broad and balanced PSHE curriculum and demonstrate the children’s development of identified key knowledge. Children are beginning to make connections across topics and in other areas of the curriculum, particularly in English.

By the end of Year 6, the children will have developed a range of skills and knowledge through PSHE that will help them transition confidently to secondary school and support their personal, social, and emotional wellbeing. As philosophers, children will learn lessons from PSHE to influence the decisions they make in their lives in the future.