PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
INTENT
At Fenstanton, our intention is to nurture happy, healthy children, who, when they leave Fenstanton, 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 to meet their full potential. 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 have the knowledge, understanding, attitudes, and practical skills to make safe and informed decisions to live safe, healthy, productive lives.
We develop pupil’s Personal Development through our PSHE curriculum which 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 a global citizen now and in their future roles 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 Relationships and Sex Education enables our children to learn how to be safe, and to understand and develop healthy relationships, both now and in their future lives.
We are all aware of the important role the PSHE curriculum has in supporting schools to implement the 9 protected characteristics of The Equality Act 2010.
IMPLEMENTATION
EYFS
From the EYFS, Personal Development and citizenship is taught as an integral part of topic work and is embedded throughout the curriculum. In EYFS, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) is a prime area of ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ and the PSED Early Learning Goals. At Fenstanton, PSED plays a crucial part in building strong relationships with children starting with our induction sessions, home visits and building partnership with parents. We are very good at adapting our transition arrangements to meet children’s individual needs depending on their age or stage of development. Our first topic of the new academic year – Me and My Community also supports transition and with building strong and positive relationships at such a key time in children’s educational journey
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
At Key Stage 1 and 2, Personal Development is taught through a clear and comprehensive PSHE scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. We ensure we cover the Health and Well-Being, Relationships and Living in the Wider World Learning Opportunities set out in the PSHE curriculum which comprehensively covers the statutory Health Education and Relationships Education guidance.
PSHE
Pupils are taught PSHE using the National Curriculum, covering all of the above and 'aims to prepare children for life, helping them to know and value who they are and understand how they relate to other people in this ever-changing world’. Our curriculum develops age-appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding and there is a strong emphasis on emotional Literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health. It includes opportunities to allow children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus. A range of teaching approaches are used including circle time, discussions, role play, practical experiences and visitors into school where appropriate. In addition, enrichment opportunities broaden pupils' experiences and promote aspirations for the future.
At Fenstanton, in addition to Relationships Education, we also teach aspects of Sex Education that is covered in our Science Curriculum. Alongside this we teach about different kinds of relationships, including same sex relationships, and gender identity because it is important that our children should understand the full diversity of the world they live in and be prepared for life in modern Britain.
PSHE themes include:
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Healthy minds and healthy bodies
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Anti-bullying positive friendships
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Living and growing
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Different families, same love
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Managing change
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Staying safe
It also identifies links to British Values, and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) Development and is taught in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and ethos of the school.
WIDER CURRICULUM
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We believe that focusing on developing a 'Growth Mindset' in our children will help them to build resilience, independence and confidence; embrace challenge; foster a love of learning; and increase their level of happiness. We do this through the language we use in class, praising children for their efforts, and using language to encourage children to change their way of thinking. This supports both our school and PSHE aims and values, and we focus on Growth Mindsets in all aspects of school life.
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PSHE, including SMSC and British Values, is an integral part of the whole school curriculum, and is therefore often taught within another subject area.
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Visitors such as emergency services and the school nurse complement our PSHE curriculum to offer additional learning.
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We encourage our pupils to develop their sense of self-worth by playing a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community. We challenge all of our pupils to look for opportunities to show the school values of resilience, aspiration, nurture, kindness and respect.
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Assemblies are linked to PSHE, British Values and SMSC and cover any additional sessions that would benefit the whole school.
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PSHE, British Values and SMSC displays throughout school reinforce the PSHE curriculum enabling children to make links.
IMPACT
By the time our children leave our school they will:
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Be able to approach a range of real-life situations and apply their skills and attributes to help navigate themselves through modern life
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Be on their way to becoming healthy, open minded, respectful, socially and morally responsible, active members of society
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Appreciate difference and diversity
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Recognise and apply the British Values of Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of law and Liberty
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Be able to understand and manage their emotions
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Be able to look after their mental health and well-being
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Be able to develop positive, healthy relationships with their peers both now and in the future.
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Understand the physical aspects involved in RSE at an age-appropriate level
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Have respect for themselves and others.
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Have positive self-esteem.
LINKS
Please see year group overview pages for Personal Development topics taught each term.