Personal Development (PSHE/RSE/Citizenship)

Intent  

At Priorswood Primary School our intent is to empower children to understand and value their place in the world and the society in which they live. We aim to develop their emotional literacy, resilience, and awareness of both mental and physical health, supporting them in making informed and healthy lifestyle choices. 

Through our curriculum, pupils will gain a clear understanding of how the United Kingdom is governed, how laws are created and upheld, and how they can actively participate in democratic processes. We strive to nurture engaged, responsible citizens who appreciate the importance of justice, understand how laws are shaped and enforced, and are prepared to contribute positively to their communities. 

Implementation  

At Priorswood Primary School we use Jigsaw to deliver PSHE and SRE.  The Jigsaw PSHE Programme is a comprehensive, whole-school curriculum designed for children aged 3 to 11, supporting their personal, social, health, and emotional development. It is widely used across the UK and is known for its mindful approach to PSHE education. Jigsaw uses a spiral, progressive scheme of work with structured lessons, mindfulness practices, and engaging activities that build year on year.   

At the heart of our school community are the values of Respect, Courage, and Integrity. These values guide everything we do and are woven into all aspects of school life. 

To help children live out these values in practical ways, we also promote: 

• Kind Hands, Kind Words, Kind Hearts – encouraging kindness in actions, speech, and attitude. 

• Stop! I Don’t Like It! – empowering children to express their boundaries clearly and respectfully, and to stand up for themselves and others. 

We expect all children to demonstrate these values and behaviours consistently, helping to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. 

This approach helps children connect their learning to the wider world, develop critical thinking, and understand the importance of being informed, respectful, and active citizens. 

Each week, we hold a dedicated PSHE assembly that supports our whole-school approach to personal, social, health, and emotional education. These assemblies follow a set of themed focuses aligned with the Jigsaw PSHE programme, while also incorporating current affairs and news stories that are relevant and age appropriate. 

We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all our pupils. To support this, we have child-friendly policies for both Safeguarding and Anti-Bullying, ensuring that children understand their rights and know how to seek help when needed. 

Throughout the school, we display key messages and visual reminders that reinforce: 

• British Values 

• Citizenship and Responsibility 

• Safeguarding and Staying Safe 

These displays help embed our school values and curriculum themes into daily school life, making them visible, accessible, and meaningful for all pupils. 

Impact  

We use a combination of the following methods to monitor the impact of PSHE/SRE and Citizenship: 

Pupil Voice 

• Teachers gather feedback from pupils through discussions, surveys, or circle time. 

• This helps assess how well pupils understand and apply what they’ve learned in real-life situations (e.g. friendships, emotional regulation, decision-making). 

Teacher Observation 

• Teachers observe pupils during lessons and across the school day to see how they demonstrate PSHE values like empathy, respect, and resilience. 

• They look for changes in behaviour, confidence, and social interaction. 

Work Scrutiny 

• Pupils may complete written tasks, reflections, or creative work (like posters or journals) that show their understanding. 

• Reviewing this work helps track progress over time. 

Assessment Tools 

• Jigsaw provides optional assessment tools that allow teachers to track progress against learning intentions. 

• These include “working towards,” “expected,” and “greater depth” descriptors for each unit. 

Whole-School Impact 

• Schools also look at broader indicators like improved behaviour, reduced bullying, and a more inclusive school culture. 
• Ofsted inspections may include a “deep dive” into PSHE, where inspectors evaluate the subject’s impact through interviews, lesson visits, and pupil outcomes 
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