PSHCE and RSE Curriculum

At St Martin’s C of E (VA) Primary School, we are HeartSmart!

HeartSmart is a creative approach to the teaching of PSHE that we use to build character, emotional health and resilience in children. Our approach equips children with the foundational principles and skills to help them be aware of their own mental health, to look after themselves and maintain healthy relationships, therefore having a positive impact on academic resilience and achievement.

At St. Martin’s, we want everyone to know that they are loved, respected, listened to and supported.  We believe that it is crucial to educate the heart alongside the academic mind, therefore allowing us all to ‘serve one another in love.’ (Galatians 5:13)

Curriculum Intent

St Martin’s PSHE and RSE curriculum is designed to support pupils through their spiritual, moral, social, emotional and physical development, in order to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. Through these lessons, children learn how to stay safe and healthy, build and maintain successful relationships and become active citizens who responsibly participate in society around them. Lessons within our curriculum focus on seeing each and everybody’s value in society, having an appreciation of others, and promoting strong and positive views of self.

Our curriculum aims to cover a wide range of the social and emotional aspects of learning, enabling children to develop their identity and self-esteem as active, confident members of their community. The themes and topics support social, moral, spiritual and cultural development and provide children with protective teaching on essential safeguarding issues, developing their knowledge of when and how they can ask for help.

Our resources are fully in line with the learning outcomes and core themes provided by the PSHE Association Programme of Study which is widely used by schools in England and is recommended and referred to by the Department for Education in all key documentation relating to PSHE provision in schools. St. Martin’s programme of work covers all of the required objectives and follows the three core areas of Health and Wellbeing, Relationships and Living in the Wider World.

Our curriculum fulfils the requirements of the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) guidance provided by the Department for Education (updated in September 2021), therefore providing a broad and balanced PSHE and RSE curriculum that incorporates our St. Martin’s Christian distinctiveness.

Curriculum Implementation

Our PSHE curriculum at St. Martin’s is centred around the Heartsmart programme, which is taught in five thematic units, consisting of seven lessons, each with supporting materials. These thematic units are taught in a spiral approach, meaning that each year group covers each theme, every year. This enables children to recall and build upon previous learning, exploring the underlying principles of PSHE and RSE education regularly at a depth that is appropriate for the age and stage of the child.

HeartSmart units are designed to be delivered in a creative manner, using many approaches such as role play, discussion and games with groups of various sizes. These activities enable children to build confidence and resilience. We also ensure that time is built into the curriculum, so that teachers can be reactive to any problems or topics that arise on an ongoing basis.

Curriculum Impact

Our PSHE curriculum, enables children to develop the vocabulary and confidence needed to clearly articulate their thoughts and feelings, in a climate of openness, trust and respect, and know when and how they can seek the support of others. They apply their understanding of society to their everyday interactions, from the classroom to the wider community of which they are a part.

Our curriculum at St. Martin’s supports the active development of a school culture that prioritises physical and mental health and wellbeing, providing children with skills to evaluate and understand their own wellbeing needs, practise self-care and contribute positively to the wellbeing of those around them. Successful PSHE education can have a positive impact on the whole child, including their academic development and progress, by mitigating any social and emotional barriers to learning and building confidence and self-esteem.

PSHE and RSE Subject Lead: Mr H. Burton