PSHE & Citizenship
In our work in P.S.H.E. (Personal, Social and Health Education) and Citizenship we are working to develop the confidence, knowledge, skills and understandings that children have about themselves, about their relationships with others, about adopting a safe and healthy lifestyle and about how they can play an active role as citizens in our society. We use the scheme "PSHE Matters" to teach this through a combination of exploration of ideas and understanding, knowledge and discussion. Opportunities to learn about these themes and develop them are also used in other areas of the curriculum. We also use P4C (Philosophy for Children) which teaches the children to listen to, consider and respond to others’ opinions and thoughts through discussion and debate.
The Teaching of Fundamental British Values
The DFE has issued guidance about 'British Values' being taught in schools. The following is an excerpt from that guidance:
Schools should 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. This can help schools to demonstrate how they are meeting the requirements of section 78 of the Education Act 2002, in their provision of SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision).
Actively promoting the values means challenging opinions or behaviours in school that are contrary to fundamental British values. Attempts to promote systems that undermine fundamental British values would be completely at odds with schools’ duty to provide SMSC. The Teachers’ Standards expect teachers to uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. This includes not undermining fundamental British values.
Through their provision of SMSC, schools should:
- enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
- enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
- encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
- enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
- further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
- encourage respect for other people; and
- encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
The list below describes the understanding and knowledge expected of pupils as a result of schools promoting fundamental British values.
- an understanding of how citizens can influence decision-making through the democratic process;
- an appreciation that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety;
an understanding that there is a separation of power between the executive and the judiciary, and that while some public bodies such as the police and the army can be held to account through Parliament, others such as the courts maintain independence; - an understanding that the freedom to choose and hold other faiths and beliefs is protected in law;
- an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and tolerated, and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour; and
- an understanding of the importance of identifying and combatting discrimination.
It is not necessary for schools or individuals to ‘promote’ teachings, beliefs or opinions that conflict with their own, but nor is it acceptable for schools to promote discrimination against people or groups on the basis of their belief, opinion or background.
PSHE Curriculum Progression
PSHE Curriculum Progression (EYFS)
Being Healthy Progression Table
Being Responsible Progression Table
Bullying Matters Progression Table
Diversity Matters Progression Table
Drug Education Progression Table
Exploring Emotion Progression Table
Money Matters Progression Table
Relationships Matters Progression Table