Personal, Social, Health and Economic
Education
PSHE is an essential part of each child’s education at St Mary’s. We strive to enable each child to be successful and happy as they journey through primary school and beyond.
For PATHS Education please click on the image below.
Teachers follow the Barnardos PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) Programme for Schools, which includes four conceptual units: Emotional Understanding, Self-Control, Social Problem-Solving and Peer Relations and Self-Esteem. Lessons are delivered at least once a week and may cover anything from friendship and feeling lonely (Year 2), to making good decisions (Year 3) or conflict resolution (Year 6). Studies show that the PATHS programme results in improved concentration and attention and better social and emotional competence.
In addition to PATHS lessons, each class has a daily Pupil of the Day, who is chosen at random. The Pupil of the Day wears a sticker and may be granted other privileges by their teacher (such as standing at the front of the line). At the end of the day, the Pupil of the Day is given compliments by their teacher and some of their classmates. This routine allows the children to practice giving and receiving compliments, encourages them to see the best in each other, and builds self-esteem.
PSHE is also often taught in conjunction with other subjects such as science and PE (keeping healthy), RE (personal identity, respecting others) and even maths (money and personal finances) as we endeavour to provide a rounded education for each pupil.
At St Mary’s we compliment the use of our PATHs PSHE programme by providing a Peer Mediation Programme, which is a mini mediation service, run by volunteer pupils and supported by school staff. Children are trained to become peer mediators – a neutral third party that assists other students in resolving school-based disagreements.
We are also trained in the effective use of The Zones of Regulation, a framework that develops awareness of feelings, energy and alertness levels while exploring a variety of tools and strategies for regulation, prosocial skills, self-care, and overall wellness.
For Peer Mediation Programme please click on the image below.
For Zones of Regulation please click on the image below.
EYFS Educational Programme – PSED
Children’s personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is crucial for children to lead healthy and happy lives, and is fundamental to their cognitive development. Underpinning their personal development are the important attachments that shape their social world. Strong, warm and supportive relationships with adults enable children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others.
Children should be supported to manage emotions, develop a positive sense of self, set themselves simple goals, have confidence in their own abilities, to persist and wait for what they want and direct attention as necessary. Through adult modelling and guidance, they will learn how to look after their bodies, including healthy eating, and manage personal needs independently. Through supported interaction with other children they learn how to make good friendships, co-operate and resolve conflicts peaceably. These attributes will provide a secure platform from which children can achieve at school and in later life.
PSHE Curriculum Road Map Reception – Year 6
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